The New South Wales Architecture Awards announced this year’s most outstanding new architecture, setting industry benchmarks for design excellence, sustainability, and social impact.
Jury Chair Bill Tsakalos said that a “striking takeaway” from the awards was “the number of regional projects that have achieved recognition at the highest level,” which did so through sustainable methods.
Tsakalos also honoured an Australian spirit in the award cohort.
“This year’s awarded projects confirm that Australian architecture is among the most innovative and thoughtful in the world. They are distinctly Australian in character. Their response to climate, landscape, culture and materials, present compelling ideas that demonstrate both design excellence and a deep understanding of context.
“In an increasingly connected world, Australian architects continue to demonstrate an independence of thought that sets their work apart. There is a confidence and originality in these projects that speaks to a profession comfortable in its own identity. The result is architecture that is deeply rooted in local conditions yet contributes meaningfully to international discourse.”
Of the regional projects elevated to national recognition, First Steps Count Child and Community Centre by Austin McFarland Architects with Caroline Pidcock received the James Barnet Award, one of the highest regional award honours, and the state-level Milo Dunphy Award for Sustainable Architecture.
The centre was designed around the Living Building Challenge framework, a performance-based, green building certification and regenerative design framework under which, buildings are designed to give back to the environment more than they take. The centre is energy-neutral, featuring renewable power, efficient insulation, passive design, and biophilic and recycled materials.
Another win for sustainable architecture was Central Station by Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan + Partners, which won the top honour of the NSW Architecture Medallion and The Sulman Medal for Public Architecture. The design integrates innovative state-of-the-art metro infrastructure into 112-year-old historical landmark utilising eco-friendly construction methods.
The project had a construction budget of more than $900 million and diverted 90 per cent of mixed demolition material from landfills. Sustainable methods included lowering embodied carbon with geopolymer concrete, prefabricated steel, and reused sandstone.
The Sydney Fish Markets by 3XN in association with BVN and ASPECT Studios have “regenerated a pivotal and evolving part of Sydney, prioritising public access and enabling future connections along the Harbour foreshore walk,” the jury said.
“The defining roof canopy incorporates structural and construction efficiency, optimum performance and inherent carbon sequestration, whilst delivering filtered natural daylight and providing shelter.
“Regenerative design is embedded comprehensively through a performance led response to the energy intensive typology and much care was taken to best utilise the 24-hour life of the building.”
Throughout 13 main categories, special named awards, commendations, and prizes, Tsakalos noted the consistent theme throughout this year’s awards to be “the spirit of innovation and creativity.”
“What is particularly impressive is how architects are reimagining familiar materials and systems, applying them in ways that are both inventive and highly effective.”
Green Square Public School and Community Space by BVN the judges said, the 2026 Lord Mayor’s Prize recognises a project that enhances not only the quality of our public domain, but of community life more broadly – through architectural and urban design excellence.
“The innovative design provides much-needed community facilities that will be activated day and night.
By day, a state-of-the-art public school. Beyond school hours, bookable rooms and multipurpose courts open to the wider community, making a significant contribution to the area’s educational, social and cultural life.
“To house these facilities, BVN conceived a functionally elegant, four-dimensional artwork. Instead of a front, back and sides, the wrap around design addresses three street frontages with a screen of hit and miss tiles suspended on mesh. The building is playful and airy, while remaining secure.”
Here is the full list for the 2026 NSW Architecture Awards with images here:
COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE
• The Sir Arthur G Stephenson Award for Commercial Architecture
New Sydney Fish Market | 3XN in association with BVN and ASPECT Studios
• Award for Commercial Architecture
The Lands by Capella | Hassell in collaboration with Purcell Architecture
• Commendation for Commercial Architecture
15 Khartoum Rd, MPark | Choi Studio
• Commendation for Commercial Architecture
Baaka Culture Centre | Kaunitz Yeung Architecture
• Commendation for Commercial Architecture
Surry Hills Village | SJB and Studio Prineas
EDUCATIONAL ARCHITECTURE
• The William E Kemp Award for Educational Architecture
Green Square Public School and Community Spaces | BVN
• Award for Educational Architecture
Oakhill College Hilltop Precinct (Commons & Innovation Hub) | BVN
• Commendation for Educational Architecture
Eungai Creek Campus | AJC Architects
• Commendation for Educational Architecture
Macquarie University – Engineering Innovation Building | Woods Bagot
ENDURING ARCHITECTURE
• Award for Enduring Architecture
Clubbe Hall | AJC Architects
HERITAGE
• The Greenway Award for Heritage
The Lands by Capella | Hassell in collaboration with Purcell Architecture
• Award for Heritage – Adaptive Reuse
33 Alfred Street | JPW
• Award for Heritage – Adaptive Reuse
Sydney Harbour Bridge Northern Access Cycleway | Collins and Turner with Design 5 –
Architects, Aspect Studios, Eckersley O’Callaghan
• Award for Heritage – Conservation
Entertainment Hall White Bay | DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design with Placemaking
NSW
• Commendation for Heritage – Conservation
Old Bega Hospital | Design 5 – Architects
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
• The John Verge Award for Interior Architecture
Surrey 112 | Smart Design Studio
• Award for Interior Architecture
The Lands by Capella | Hassell in collaboration with Purcell Architecture
• Award for Interior Architecture
Wollemi Capital | Ciliberto Architects
• Commendation for Interior Architecture
CBRE Sydney | Bates Smart
• Commendation for Interior Architecture
The Corner Shop House | Downie North
PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE
• The Sulman Medal for Public Architecture
Central Station | Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan + Partners
• Award for Public Architecture
New Sydney Fish Market | 3XN in association with BVN and ASPECT Studios
• Award for Public Architecture
Pier Pavilion | Besley & Spresser
• Award for Public Architecture
Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport | COX Architecture, Zaha Hadid
Architects and Woods Bagot
• Commendation for Public Architecture
Mark Taylor Oval Pavilion | Archer Office
• Commendation for Public Architecture
Willowdale Sports Pavilion | Sam Crawford Architects with Lymesmith
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – HOUSES (ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS)
• The Hugh and Eva Buhrich Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations
and Additions)
Darlinghurst House | Anthony Gill Architects
• Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
House Gretchen | Lintel Studio for Architecture
• Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Lilyfield House | Tribe Studio Architects
• Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Surrey 112 | Smart Design Studio
• Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
The Corner Shop House | Downie North
• Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Rainbow House | Virginia Kerridge Architect
• Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Rows End | Retallack Thompson
• Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Tree House | ASA (Alexander Symes Architect)
• Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Zulaikha Laurence ‘Tree Change House’ | Studio ZAWA
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – HOUSES (NEW)• The Wilkinson Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Cowrie Hole | Curious Practice
• Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
EA House | Bokey Grant
• Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
OK House | Stephen Collier Architect
• Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Queenscliff House | Chenchow Little
• Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Coogee House III | Tribe Studio Architects with Genevieve Hromas
• Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Gingkin | Incidental Architecture
• Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Holocene House | CplusC Architects + Builders
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – MULTIPLE HOUSING
• The Aaron Bolot Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Lacebark | Smart Design Studio
• Award Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Habilis | Collins and Turner
• Award Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Surry Hills Village | SJB
• Award Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Waterloo Metro Quarter – Social Housing | Bates Smart
• Commendation for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Boronia | Turner
• Commendation for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Cowper Street Housing | JPW
• Commendation for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Goonellabah Houses | Pearson Architecture
SMALL PROJECT ARCHITECTURE
• The Robert Woodward Award for Small Project Architecture
Magenta Outhouse | Atelier Marks Gaal
• Award for Small Project Architecture
Broken Workshop | Atelier Luke
• Award for Small Project Architecture
Permanent Camping Orange | Casey Brown Architecture
• Award for Small Project Architecture
Perry Park Pavilion | Scale Architecture
• Award for Small Project Architecture
The Southern Lookout | AJC Architects
• Commendation for Small Project Architecture
Carpe Diem Pavilion | Collins and Turner
URBAN DESIGN
• The Lloyd Rees Award for Urban Design
Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 | COX Architecture
• Award for Urban Design
Surry Hills Village | SJB, Studio Prineas and Aspect Studios• Award for Urban Design
Sydney Harbour Bridge Northern Access Cycleway | Collins and Turner with Aspect Studios,
Eckersley O’Callaghan and Design 5 – Architects
COLORBOND® AWARD FOR STEEL ARCHITECTURE
• COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture
Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment | ARCH
• COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture – Commendation
Greybox | Welsh + Major
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
• The Milo Dunphy Award for Sustainable Architecture
First Steps Count Child and Community Centre | Austin McFarland Pty Ltd with Caroline
Pidcock
• Award for Sustainable Architecture
Campbelltown Station Commuter Car Park | Hill Thalis Architecture + Urban Projects
• Award for Sustainable Architecture
Eungai Creek Campus | AJC Architects
• Award for Sustainable Architecture
Gilgandra Library + Community Hub | DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design
• Award for Sustainable Architecture
Gingkin | Incidental Architecture
• Commendation for Sustainable Architecture
Cowper Street Housing | JPW
• Commendation for Sustainable Architecture
Crossroads | Mackenize Pronk Architects and Make Projects
• Commendation for Sustainable Architecture
Tree House | ASA (Alexander Symes Architect)
CHAPTER SPECIFIC AWARDS
• EmAGN Project Award
Pier Pavilion | Besley & Spresser
• NSW Architecture Medallion
Central Station | Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan + Partners
• Blacket Prize
EA House | Bokey Grant
• Lord Mayor’s Prize
Green Square Public School and Community Spaces | BVN
• Premier’s Prize
New Sydney Fish Market | 3XN in association with BVN and ASPECT Studios
