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 Named Award and Prize Recipients:
- SA Architecture Medal: Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building by Architectus
- Jack Irwin President’s Medal: Associate Professor Damian Madigan
- Emerging Architect Prize: Gabrielle Seymour
- City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence: Chihuly in the Botanic Garden by Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium
- The Keith Neighbour Award for Commercial Architecture: Coopers Brewery by Studio Nine Architects
- The Dr John Mayfield Award for Educational Architecture: Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building by Architectus
- The David Saunders Award for Heritage: Union House – The University of Adelaide by Swanbury Penglase
- The Marjorie Simpson Award for Small Project Architecture: Sofia Bistro by Sans-Arc Studio
- The Robert Dickson Award for Interior Architecture: Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building by Architectus
- The John Schenk Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations + Additions): The Stopover by Taylor Buchtmann Architecture
- The Derrick Kendrick Award for Sustainable Architecture: Flinders Chase Visitors Centre by Troppo Architects
- COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture: Flinders Chase Visitors Centre by Troppo Architects
- EmAGN Project Award: Findon Technical College by Brown Falconer
