Australian Institute of Architects 2025 National Architecture Awards

The Australian Institute of Architects unveiled its 2025 National Architecture Awards last night at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, celebrating 43 projects that represent the pinnacle of contemporary Australian design.

The awards recognized 30 winning projects and 15 commendations across all states and territories, with jury chair Jane Cassidy emphasizing their role in addressing Australia’s most pressing challenges. “The winners of the National Architecture Awards set a precedent for our built future and help address the multiple crises facing society—the housing, climate and cost of living crisis—with innovative solutions,” Cassidy said.

Major Award Winners

The Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) went to Studio Bright‘s Hedge and Arbour House in Victoria. The jury praised the project for its radical reimagining of suburban living, with the house almost entirely enveloped by landscape. “The sharp contrast between a formal hedge at the street and the wild landscape beyond underscores the house’s radical rethinking of how we might live,” the jury noted.

Australian Institute of Architects 2025 National Architecture Awards — *Hedge and Arbour House by Studio Bright.*

The Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture was awarded to Searle x Waldron Architecture‘s Northern Memorial Park Depot in Victoria. The project merges shed and workplace for cemetery staff, featuring suspended timber pods within glulam trusses. “Searle x Waldron bring rare humanity to what could have been a purely utilitarian facility, setting a new benchmark for the industrial workplace,” the jury stated.

The David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture recognized Hassell‘s First Building at Bradfield City Centre in NSW. Designed in collaboration with First Nations practice Djinjama, the project achieves a 50% reduction in embodied carbon and features prefabricated timber construction designed for disassembly and reuse.

The Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture went to BVN‘s Yarrila Place in NSW, which combines library, museum, council and community functions. The jury praised its “playful programmatic Tetris” and noted the building’s catalytic influence on community connection and precinct regeneration.

Complete List of Winners

Named Awards

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture: Flinders Chase Visitors Centre | Troppo Architects | SA
The Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture: Northern Memorial Park Depot | Searle x Waldron Architecture | VIC
The Daryl Jackson Award for Educational Architecture: James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place | KIRK with i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects | QLD

The Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage: Parliament of NSW Restoration | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and Purcell Architecture | NSW

The Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture: Babylon House | Casey Brown Architecture | NSW

The Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture: Yarrila Place | BVN | NSW
The Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions): Niwa House | John Ellway | QLD

The Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New): Hedge and Arbour House | Studio Bright | VIC
The Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing: Blok Three Sisters | Blok Modular in collaboration with Vokes & Peters | QLD

The David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture: First Building – Bradfield City Centre | Hassell | NSW
The Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design: Sydney Metro City Stations | Sydney Metro | NSW

National Awards

Commercial Architecture

Everlane Cremorne | Fieldwork | VIC

Educational Architecture

The Shed, University of Tasmania | Wardle | TAS
St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Rosebery | Neeson Murcutt Neille | NSW

Enduring Architecture

Uluṟu – Kata Tjuṯa Cultural Centre | Gregory Burgess | NT

Heritage

The Australian War Memorial New Entrance and Parade Ground | Studio.SC | ACT

Interior Architecture

Melbourne Place | Kennedy Nolan | VIC
New Castle | Anthony St John Parsons | NSW

International Architecture

Reuben College | fjcstudio | Oxford, United Kingdom

Public Architecture

Truganina Community Centre | Jasmax (Canvas Projects) | VIC
Eva and Marc Besen Centre | Kerstin Thompson Architects | VIC

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

Gunn Ridge House | Kennedy Nolan | VIC
The Stopover | Taylor Buchtmann Architecture | SA

Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Mapleton House | Atelier Chen Hung | QLD
New Castle | Anthony St John Parsons | NSW
Lagoon House | Peter Stutchbury Architecture | NSW

Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

Shiel Street, North Melbourne, Community Housing Project | Clare Cousins Architects | VIC
Indi Sydney | Bates Smart | NSW

Small Project Architecture

Geelong Laneways: Malop Arcade | NMBW Architecture Studio with ASPECT Studios | VIC
Denman Village Park Amenities | Carter Williamson Architects | ACT

Sustainable Architecture

METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line Project | Woods Bagot with TRCB, TCL and UDLA | WA

National Commendations