A celebration of design that centres innovation, sustainability and the power of place.
The very best in regional architecture have been named in the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2026 Regional Architecture Awards. Revealed in a gala celebration last Friday, the award winners offer a compelling snapshot of the ever-evolving built environment across regional New South Wales.
This year’s awarded projects reflect a profession championing work that is innovative, contextually grounded, and deeply connected to place. A rigorous judging process was undertaken by three Juries composed of esteemed peers. Winners demonstrated thoughtful responses to the unique opportunities and challenges of regional communities, from climate resilience and sustainable growth to heritage stewardship and cultural recognition.
Jury Chair of Chairs, Bill Tsakalos LFRAIA reflected on the breadth of this year’s awards program:
“I have been amazed at the quality of submissions presented in 2026. The new regional submission structure showcases the strength and depth of architectural skills and the valuable contribution our profession makes to improving the built environment beyond the Sydney metropolitan area.
Those entering the pool for state awards should be strong contenders.”
NSW Chapter President, Elizabeth Carpenter FRAIA, stated that:
“All of the selected projects this year demonstrate a remarkable clarity of intent, a commitment to simplicity in detailing, a deep care for their environment, and a profound respect for context. Their material palettes are restrained yet inventive, proving that richness in architecture can be achieved through precision and purpose.
“Design Excellence demands rigor at every scale. This is evident in the considered siting of a building within its landscape and equally in the resolution of a single junction detail. Nothing is incidental. Across every project, there is a powerful and deliberate connection to the landscape—so strong, in fact, that it emerges as a defining theme in this year’s Regional Awards.
“This year saw a record number of entries. While not all received awards, every submission deserves recognition for its contribution to strengthening and enriching the built environment of the communities in which these projects stand.”
The 2026 NSW Regional Architecture Awards were announced on Friday 13 February at Yarrila Place in Coffs Harbour in a fantastic night bringing together peers, clients, and collaborators to celebrate the projects shaping our future.
The event and program were proudly supported by: Lysaght, Partridge, AWS, and Krause Bricks.
For all media inquiries, please contact: Bella Walker, Marketing Manager by emailing bella.walker@architecture.com.au
Find more info on each project below via our Awards Project Gallery available here.
2026 Regional Architecture Awards Gala
2026 Winners
Regional Medallion
- First Steps Count Child and Community Centre | Austin McFarland Pty Ltd | Biripi
President’s Prize for Services to Regional Architecture
- Cobar Shire Council
Division Awards
- The David Boyle Award (Central Division) – Swansea Heads House | Anthrosite | the Bahtabah clan of the Awabakal people
- The James Barnet Award (North Division) – First Steps Count Child and Community Centre | Austin McFarland Pty Ltd | Biripi
- The Florence Mary Taylor Award (South Division) – St Joseph’s Primary School Adelong | Austin McFarland Pty Ltd | Wiradjuri People
Timber Award
- Surf Check | Incidental Architecture | Awabakal Country
People’s Choice Awards
- Central Division – Cowrie Hole | Curious Practice | Awabakal
- North Division – Small House Big Shelter | Ware Architects | Gumbaynggirr people of Gumbaynggirr Country
- South Division – The Silos Accommodation | Cooee Architecture | Wiradjuri
Commercial Architecture
- Named Award – 42 Honeysuckle Drive | Bates Smart | Awabakal and Worimi Country
- Commendation – Bega Council Depot | GHD Design | Yuin Nation
- Commendation – Surf Hotel Yamba | DKCarchitecture | Yaegl and Bundjalong
Educational Architecture
- Named Award – St Bede’s Catholic College | SHAC | Wonnarua
- Award – Cobar Early Learning Centre | DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design | Ngiyampaa Wangaaypuwan people
- Award – St Joseph’s Primary School Adelong | Austin McFarland Pty Ltd | Wiradjuri People
- Commendation – Lake Cathie Public School | SHAC | Birpai people
- Commendation – Newcastle Grammar School – Park Campus | SHAC | Awabakal & Worimi Peoples
Heritage
- Award – Old Bega Hospital | Design 5 – Architects | Djiringanj people of the Yuin Nation
- Commendation – Longfield | DFJ Architects | Arakwal people of the Bundjalung nation
Interior Architecture
- Named Award – Swansea Heads House | Anthrosite | the Bahtabah clan of the Awabakal people
Public Architecture
- Named Award – First Steps Count Child and Community Centre | Austin McFarland Pty Ltd | Biripi
- Award – Gilgandra Library + Community Hub | DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design | Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi & Wailwan
Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
- Named Award – Zulaikha Laurence ‘Tree Change House’ | Studio ZAWA | Wodi Wodi
- Award – Fort House | Curious Practice | Awabakal
- Commendation – Carlton St Terrace | OVDA Studio | Awabakal people of the Awabakal Nation
- Commendation – Maryville Heirloom House | Anthrosite | the Pambalong clan of the Awabakal people
Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
- Named Award – Swansea Heads House | Anthrosite | the Bahtabah clan of the Awabakal people
- Award – Gerroa House | Scale Architecture | Tharawal
- Award – Greybox | Welsh + Major | Dunghutti
- Award – Surf Check | Incidental Architecture | Awabakal Country
- Commendation – Coastal House | Walknorth Architects | Gumbaynggirr
- Commendation – Copper Ribbon House | DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design | Yuin
- Commendation – Cowrie Hole | Curious Practice | Awabakal
- Commendation – House Kimberley | AO Design Studio | Gundungurra and Dharawal people
- Commendation – Myocum Ridge | DFJ Architects | Arakwal people of the Bundjalung nation
- Commendation – Terra Anima | Ian Sercombe Architect | Worimi
Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
- Named Award – Goonellabah Houses | Pearson Architecture | Widjabul Wia-bal People of the Bundjalung Nation
- Commendation – Indigo | Design Workshop Australia | Dharawal People
Small Project Architecture
- Award – Blak Cede Gunyah | Papesch Architecture | Jerrinja, Wandi-Wandian, Wodi Wodi people of the 13 Clans
- Commendation – Gilay Estate | Cameron Anderson Architects | Gomeroi
- Commendation – The Silos Accommodation | Cooee Architecture | Wiradjuri
Sustainable Architecture
- Named Award – Gerroa House | Scale Architecture | Tharawal
- Award – First Steps Count Child and Community Centre | Austin McFarland Pty Ltd | Biripi
- Award – Gilgandra Library + Community Hub | DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design | Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi & Wailwan
- Award – Surf Check | Incidental Architecture | Awabakal Country
- Commendation – J-Pod | Maxwell & Page Architects | Awabakel
- Commendation – Kavillo Studios | Cameron Anderson Architects | Wiradjuri
- Commendation – Sheep Chute House | LocalArchitect South Coast | Wodi-Wodi people of the Dharawal Nation
- Commendation – Terra Anima | Ian Sercombe Architect | Worimi
- Commendation – Zulaikha Laurence ‘Tree Change House’ | Studio ZAWA | Wodi Wodi
Urban Design
- Named Award – Gilgandra Library + Community Hub | DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design | Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi & Wailwan