2025 NT Architecture Awards – Winners Revealed

A Jabiru project, Jabiru Health Centre by Platt Architects has been awarded the top honour in the Northern Territory Chapter Architecture Awards, The Tracy Memorial Award. Platt Architects have not entered the Australian Institute of Architects Northern Territory Chapter Architecture Awards for over 20 years.

The Northern Territories best educational, interiors, heritage and public buildings have been named in the Australian Institute of Architects Northern Territory Chapter Architecture Awards, shining a light on the most innovative, sustainable and inspirational, buildings. This year’s winners can be seen as a window into the changing built environment of contemporary Australia. In particular, the exemplary work that is being done in Australia’s regional areas; respectful and sustainable approaches to alterations of existing or new buildings; and design that has a deep connection, appreciation and consideration to Country and culture.

Jury Chair, Matt Elkan RAIA of Incidental Architecture said, “The Northern Territory is a unique and diverse place. The architects of this special part of our country grapple daily with fundamental questions of how to support human existence and thriving in physical, cultural and social environments that often seem to work more against these things than for them.”

The jury also observed this year more than ever, that collaboration between architects on projects led to richer outcomes, especially in relation to communal buildings and spaces.

Elkan said, “This year there were a large number of entries in the Awards from Alice Springs, Darwin and Jabiru. Collectively the submitted projects sought to support indigenous communities, regional health care, media, education, preservation of heritage assets and the development of the communities in which they are situated. It is uplifting to see this year’s entries displaying optimism across the range of typologies and locations. Optimism, perhaps, that well intentioned people can and do build things that facilitate positive social change. Almost without exception the projects in this year’s awards embody a generosity of spirit, not measured in excess or scale, but in the inclusive way that they seek to enrich the lives of the people who use them. The jury was left with the impression that amidst the diverse body of work is an obvious culture of humility. As much as the awards are about celebrating the standout projects of the year, they are also, and perhaps most importantly, about recognising the collective positive impact that good architecture can have in society.”

The program attracted an array of projects and a comprehensive judging process determined eventual winners. The Jury had the opportunity to visit all projects in regional NT; including Alice Springs and Jabiru as well as Darwin and Palmerston. Their observations and questions raised at the Jury presentations were invaluable in choosing the final overall winners.

Each year, the Northern Territory Chapter Architecture Awards jury includes a venerated panel of industry experts. This year the jury comprised of:

• Matt Elkan RAIA, Incidental Architecture – Jury Chair
• Katy Moir RAIA, Deicke Richards Architects – Architect Juror, Heritage Specialist, Emerging Architect Prize Juror, EmAGN Juror
• Jan-Marie Jaillei, MDIA Interior Design, JM Interiors – Guest Juror, Interior Design Specialist
• Paul Bartsch Associate RAIA, Emerging Architect and Graduate Network (EmAGN) – EmAGN Projects Juror

The Awards Celebration will be held on the lawns of the beautiful Saltwater Bundilla Restaurant and Museum and Art Gallery in Darwin’s perfect dry season overlooking the Arafura Sea on Saturday, 21 June. The event will be attended by 125 members, government dignitaries, national partners, local partners and members of the built environment.

The winners are outlined below, and we congratulate all who those entered the 2025 Northern Territory Chapter Architecture Awards.