2025 ACT Architecture Awards – Winners Revealed

The ACT Architecture Awards for 2025 were announced on Saturday night (21 June), at a gala ceremony hosted in the National Library of Australia. Celebrating and acknowledging significant architectural contributions, the Awards showcase significant local talent.

19 projects were awarded in categories from residential renovations to significant public works. Schools, interiors, and even the humble public facilities have been recognised for outstanding architectural skill. Students and professional practitioners have also been recognised for their individual contribution to the field of architecture in the ACT.

A comprehensive judging process determined the shortlisted entries and eventual winners. Drawing on experience across the industry and associated professions, members of the ACT jury toured across Canberra witnessing how many entries sought to engage with the local existing environment and surrounds.

ACT Awards Jury Chair Ms Shannon Battisson commented “The practices we celebrate in the ACT Architectural Awards program contribute to the unique architectural legacy of our city. The winning projects, be they amenities in a public park or a once in a generation piece of public infrastructure all show the immense skill that exists in the architectural profession in our region.”

“The award winners demonstrated a focus on projects that positively influence communities, improve quality of life, and address pressing social issues such as accessibility, equity, and inclusivity. Good architecture can shape social experiences, encourage human connection, and uplift communities in meaningful and lasting ways.”

“In 2025 it was fantastic to witness deep consideration of sustainability and social connection across the nominees – a profound commitment to enhancing social outcomes through design.” Ms Battisson concluded.

The ACT Awards Jury for 2025 included:
• Shannon Battisson LFRAIA – Director, The Mill (Chair)
• Nicholas Eccles Associate RAIA – Associate, Open Principle Architects
• Belinda Goh FRAIA – NSW Senior Principal, Architect Populous
• Sean Hogan – Principal Architect, Typology Architecture
• Mika Utzon Popov – Artist

As part of the ACT Awards in 2025 the Country Centred Architectural Narratives Prize was awarded for the first time. Seeking to explore and celebrate Country Centred design principles across a wide range of possibilities, this award recognised works encompassing themes such as community, collaboration, sustainability, culture, and storytelling.

The work of BVN in the Canberra Hospital Expansion presented a tangible, considered response to Country Centred narratives within a complex and layered building type. The jury noted “this project by BVN serves as a catalyst for the pursuit of integrating country centred narratives within architecture in the ACT.” Ngunnawal Country is a meeting place and a place of pathways. Pathways weave among cultural boundaries – a place where people travelled to meet and exchange. The Welcome Hall, the Gallery and hospital corridors with their framed views to significant elements in the surrounding landscape promote the idea of a meeting place and a place of pathways. The expansion sets a new benchmark by embedding community, culture, and care within a sustainable architectural framework.

The Canberra Hospital Expansion and the work of BVN was also awarded the Romaldo Giurgola Award for Public Architecture, the Derek Wrigley Award for Sustainable Architecture, the Pamille Berg Prize for Art in Architecture, and a commendation for Interior Architecture.

The Canberra Medallion is the highest honour given at the ACT Architecture Awards, and in 2025 Stewart Architecture picks up the engraved bronze medallion for their work on the Daramalan Performing Arts Centre. The jury noted “This vibrant, student-oriented facility marks a bold new chapter for Daramalan College.”

The Daramalan Performing Arts Centre reinterprets the school’s red-brick heritage with a playful, contemporary twist. Stewart Architecture blends tradition and innovation, wrapping a dynamic black box theatre in animated brickwork that hints at the creativity within. An internal street celebrates a sense of arrival and shared experience. Skilfully planned to support all facets of performance education, the compact design accommodates front- and back-of-house functions.

The Enrico Taglietti Award for Educational Architecture, and an Award for Interior Architecture were also awarded to Stewart Architecture for the Daramalan Performing Arts Centre. In collecting the Emerging and Graduate Network (EmAGN) Project Award, Hannah Walsh was noted for her role in supporting junior members of the team to deliver the project.

Mark Brook received the 2025 Emerging Architect Prize for his outstanding design, leadership, and advocacy. As director of MYMYMY Architecture, he has developed an award-winning body of work defined by material richness, collaboration, and craft. Through EmAGN leadership, advocacy, and community engagement with groups including Yeddung Mura, Mark demonstrates a deep commitment to peer advancement and collective strength. His values-driven practice and generosity of spirit continue to shape architectural culture and enrich the profession. MYMYMY Architecture, with Mark as Principal, was also recognised with awards for Interior Architecture, Residential Architecture – Houses (New), a commendation for Sustainable Architecture, and the prestigious COLORBOND Award for Steel Architecture.

Late last year, Canberra lost two influential architectural scholars—Professor Gevork Hartoonian and Professor Stephen Frith—who sadly passed away within weeks of each other. Their passing was met with an outpouring of heartfelt tributes in the architectural community, a reflection of the profound impact both had on the discipline. In recognition of their significant contribution to the profession of architecture Professor Gevork Hartoonian and Professor Stephen Frith were acknowledged as joint recipients of the Clem Cummings Medal. This Medal recognises contributions by non-architects and architects to architecture and the public interest. The spirit of the award is exemplified by the public service exhibited by the late Clem Cummings FRAIA. Clem was prominent and well-regarded in the Canberra profession not only through his practice CG Cummings and Associates Pty Ltd but through his contribution to the profession with ACT Chapter Council, and in establishing the architectural student mentoring scheme.

As Professors within the Faculty of Arts & Design at the University of Canberra, Gevork and Stephen each brought their own distinct voice to architectural education and practice. In doing so, they inspired and shaped generations of Canberra-based architects—past, present, and future. While their loss is deeply felt, this moment also offers an opportunity to recognise the legacy they leave behind. Through internationally respected scholarship and a deep commitment to architectural pedagogy, Gevork and Stephen contributed significantly—individually and sometimes together—to the advancement of architecture in the ACT region.

For further information, please contact: Roslyn Dundas – Executive Director ACT Chapter | roslyn.dundas@architecture.com.au