CELEBRATING DESIGN EXCELLENCE AT THE 2025 SA ARCHITECTURE AWARDS

More than 350 members of South Australia’s architectural and design community gathered on Saturday 28 June for the 2025 SA Architecture Awards – the most anticipated night in the Australian Institute of Architects SA Chapter calendar – held at the historic Queen’s Theatre in Adelaide.

The evening celebrated the transformative power of architecture and the remarkable talents shaping South Australia’s built environment. Awards were presented across residential, commercial, public, sustainable, heritage and interior architecture, along with key prizes recognising contribution, leadership and innovation.

The event was hosted by distinguished broadcaster and communications expert Marija Zivic, who brought warmth, energy and professionalism to the evening’s proceedings. Distinguished guests in attendance included The Hon Andrea Michaels MP, Minister for Arts, and The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM.


The Hon Andrea Michaels MP Minister for Arts

In her opening remarks, SA Chapter President, Kirstie Coultas emphasised the power of collaboration and the importance of celebrating the value architects bring to communities. She highlighted the Awards as an opportunity to champion design excellence and reinforce the role of architecture in shaping a more connected, considered and vibrant built environment.

2025 Awards Director Stephen Ward paid tribute to the many individuals who made the Awards possible, acknowledging the generosity and dedication of the volunteer jurors. He described the judging process as a rigorous and rewarding journey—beginning with in-depth discussions, followed by long days of site visits and deliberation. Ward also highlighted the valuable connection between architectural practice and education, noting the strong presence of university educators, recent graduates and emerging practitioners among this year’s entrants and jurors.

“It’s been a real privilege to witness the thought, care and creativity behind each submission,” he said. “Tonight is a celebration of the diversity and strength of South Australian architecture—thank you to everyone who contributed.”


2025 Awards Director, Stephen Ward

Highlights of this year’s award recipients include:

The state’s highest honour, the 2025 SA Architecture Medal, was awarded to Architectus for the Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building. The jury praised the project as “a landmark fusion of cultural storytelling, environmental leadership and technical excellence” that sets a new benchmark for integrated learning, research and sustainability outcomes.

The City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence and People’s Choice Award were both awarded to Chihuly in the Botanic Garden by the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium. This outstanding cultural activation transformed one of Adelaide’s most cherished public spaces into a world-class open-air gallery, attracting over one million visitors since opening in September 2024. Integrating the breathtaking glass works of American artist Dale Chihuly throughout the Botanic Garden and Bicentennial Conservatory, the exhibition sparked curiosity, wonder and a renewed appreciation for the Garden’s lesser-known areas. Described by the jury as “a powerful demonstration of how art can elevate public space and civic life,” the project leaves a lasting cultural and physical legacy, with a custom installation in the Palm House to remain as a permanent gift to the city.

Distinguished architect, educator, researcher and advocate, Associate Professor Damian Madigan was awarded the Jack Irwin President’s Medal in recognition of his sustained contribution to sustainable, affordable and socially inclusive housing policy, research and design. Through his pioneering Bluefield Housing model, which reimagines suburban infill via adaptive reuse and co-located housing, and his academic leadership at the University of South Australia, Madigan has significantly influenced contemporary discourse on housing futures.

2025 Jack Irwin President’s Medallist: Associate Professor Damian Madigan

Gabrielle Seymour received the 2025 Emerging Architect Prize, recognising her impact as a talented practitioner, dedicated educator and passionate advocate for equity. Alongside her professional work, she has served as a sessional tutor and guest critic at the University of South Australia, supporting architectural education through active mentorship. She was also commended for co-founding Archibubs—a pioneering national initiative supporting parents and caregivers in the profession—and for her leadership in South Australia’s Emerging Architects and Graduate Network (EmAGN), where she has championed the interests of the next generation of architects.

This year, the SA Architecture Awards attracted a strong field of 92 entries across 13 categories, reflecting the depth and diversity of architectural practice in South Australia. From this pool, 16 category awards and 10 prestigious named awards were presented, alongside 18 commendations recognising excellence across a wide range of project types and scales.

While most entries were for projects located within the Adelaide metropolitan area, it was especially encouraging to see outstanding work emerging from regional South Australia—including Cooke Plains in the Murray Mallee, Middleton on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island, and Bordertown on the Limestone Coast. These projects demonstrate that design excellence knows no geographic bounds, and that thoughtful, place-responsive architecture continues to enrich communities right across the state.

 

2025 SA Architecture Medallist: Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building by Architectus



2025 SA Architecture Awards Recipients:

 

Named Awards

The Keith Neighbour Award for Commercial Architecture

Coopers Brewery

Studio Nine Architects

The Dr John Mayfield Award for Educational Architecture

Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building

Architectus

The David Saunders Award for Heritage

Union House – The University of Adelaide

Swanbury Penglase

The Marjorie Simpson Award for Small Project Architecture

Sofia Bistro

Sans-Arc Studio

The Robert Dickson Award for Interior Architecture

Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building

Architectus

The John Schenk Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations + Additions)

The Stopover

Taylor Buchtmann Architecture

The Derrick Kendrick Award for Sustainable Architecture

Flinders Chase Visitors Centre

Troppo Architects

 

Chapter Specific Awards and Prizes

City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence – Winner

Chihuly in the Botanic Garden

Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium

City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence – Commendation

Adelaide GPO Marriott Hotel

Hassell with Baukultur

City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence – Commendation

Union House – The University of Adelaide

Swanbury Penglase

City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence – People’s Choice

Chihuly in the Botanic Garden

Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium

EmAGN Project Award

Findon Technical College

Brown Falconer

The James Irwin RAIA President’s Medal

Damian Madigan, PhD FRAIA

Awarded to an individual

SA Architecture Medal

Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building

Architectus

Emerging Architect Prize

Gabrielle Seymour

Baukultur

 

Awards

Award Category

Project Name

Practice Name

Award for Commercial Architecture

studio gram

studio gram

Award for Educational Architecture

Andrea Pozzo Centre

Architects Ink

Award for Educational Architecture

Adelaide Botanic High School Expansion

COX Architecture

Award for Heritage

Hawke House

Mulloway Studio

Award for Small Project Architecture

AGSA Radical Textiles Exhibition

Grieve Gillett Architects

Award for Small Project Architecture

44 The Parade West

Sans-Arc Studio

Award for Interior Architecture

Coopers Brand Home

studio gram

Award for Interior Architecture

Taikunthi (tie-goon-dee) – The University of Adelaide

Swanbury Penglase

Award for Public Architecture

Flinders Chase Visitors Centre

Troppo Architects

Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Second Creek House

Troppo Architects

Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Dunes House

Williams Burton Leopardi

Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations + Additions)

Jerry’s House

Proske

Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations + Additions)

Flame Tree House

Architects Ink

Award for Sustainable Architecture

Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building

Architectus

Award for Sustainable Architecture

The Stopover

Taylor Buchtmann Architecture

Colorbond® Award for Steel Architecture

Findon Technical College

Brown Falconer

 

Commendations

Award Category

Project Name

Practice Name

Commercial Architecture

Adelaide GPO Marriott Hotel

Hassell with Baukultur

Commercial Architecture

The Grid

ALCAMI ARCHITECTURE

Commercial Architecture

RSPCA Animal Care Campus

Ashley Halliday Architects

Educational Architecture

Findon Technical College

Brown Falconer

Educational Architecture

St Joseph’s Tranmere Redevelopment

Grieve Gillett Architects

Educational Architecture

Pembroke Middle School John Moody Centre

studio gram

Interior Architecture

Flame Tree House

Architects Ink

Interior Architecture

Mensa

Sans-Arc Studio

Interior Architecture

Latteria

studio gram

Public Architecture

Norwood Ambulance Station

Greenway Architects

Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Beaumont House 2.0

Arc Two Architects

Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Suburban House

Sans-Arc Studio

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations + Additions)

Laneway in HI-FI

RADS

Sustainable Architecture

Ngutungka Henley

JPE Design Studio

Sustainable Architecture

Camden Living Wing

Troppo Architects

Colorbond® Award for Steel Architecture

Findon Technical College

Brown Falconer

 

View the event photo gallery HERE

 

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