National and
Chapter
Architecture
Awards Program
National Architecture Awards
Celebrating design excellence
and its contribution to communities Across australia
and abroad
The Institute is dedicated to the promotion of Australian architects and architecture in both national and global arenas. Since 1981, we have upheld excellence in the profession by recognising best practice in the field through our National Architecture Awards program and inspiring others to continue striving to positively shape communities through architecture.
National Architecture Awards program
Jury Chair and Immediate Past National President Professor Helen Lochhead said that 44 projects were recognised, 25 with national awards and 19 with commendations.
The Awards Program enables public and peer recognition of the innovative work of our members.
The Institute’s Chapter Architecture Awards program run throughout June and July. In 2019, a total of 185 projects were awarded at the chapter level.
If you are planning to submit an entry into the 2020 Chapter Architecture Awards, we recommend that prior to commencing your entry, you become familiar with the Awards, Prizes and Honours Policy.
For further details, contact your local chapter or the National Awards and Prizes Manager.
Key dates relating to the 2021 Chapter Architecture Awards are listed here. Please check with your local Chapter on information relating to Chapter specific requirements.
If you are planning to submit an entry into the 2021 Chapter Architecture Awards, we recommend that prior to commencing your entry, you become familiar with the Awards, Prizes and Honours Policy.
For further details, contact your local chapter or the National Awards and Prizes Manager.
About the National Architecture Awards Program
Recognising excellence at regional, chapter and national levels
The Institute’s Awards Program enables public and peer recognition of the innovative work of our members, and provides the Institute with a valuable mechanism to promote architects and architecture across Australia and internationally.
The National Architecture Awards is an integrated, hierarchical program resulting in annual awards at National, Chapter (State and Territory) and, in some states, Regional levels. To enter the National Architecture Awards, Institute members submit projects at the relevant chapter or regional level depending on the project’s location.
Awards in each category are based on a three-tier system, in decreasing order of merit. Only State or Territory Named and Architecture Awards progress to be considered for a National Award.
Entry requirements
Enter the 2021 Awards
To enter the Australian Institute of Architects Architecture Awards Program, an entrant must be a registered architect and Institute member. To be eligible to enter, entrants must:
- be an architect registered in the State or Territory of the project, and
- be an Institute Member at the time of entry, and
- be a principal of the practice who owns, or is a formal licensee, of the copyright in the work being entered.
It is a requirement of entry that all entrants read and understand the Awards Entry Handbook. The Handbooks are an excellent resource of helping to develop a successful awards entry. Give your project the best possible chance to succeed and familiarise yourself with the Handbook before commencing your entry.
Entry fees
| Chapter | standard entry fee (ex gst) | a+ Membership Fee (10% discount) ex gst |
|---|---|---|
| ACT, NSW, NT, Queensland, SA, Tasmania, Victoria, WA | $700 | $630 |
| International | $700 (No GST applied) | $630 (No GST applied) |
Key dates
| chapter | Entries open | Presentation to Juries | Awards Presentations |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | 18 November 2020 - 19 February 2021 | 3 - 4 March 2021 | Friday 4 June 2021 |
| International | 18 November 2020 - 26 February 2021 | N/A | TBC |
| NSW | 18 November 2020 - 19 February 2021 | 4 - 10 March 2021 | Friday 2 July 2021 |
| Newcastle | 18 November 2020 - 8 February 2021 | N/A | Friday 19 March 2021 |
| NT | 18 November 2020 - 19 March 2021 | 9 - 12 April 2021 | Friday 25 June 2021 |
| Queensland | 18 November 2020 - 5 February 2021 | Regional Judging: Feb - March State Jury Tour: April | Thursday 24 June 2021 |
| SA | 18 November 2020 - 19 February 2021 | Saturday 13 March 2021 | Thursday 10 June 2021 |
| Tasmania | 18 November 2020 - 19 February 2021 | Saturday 27 February 2021 | Saturday 5 June 2021 |
| Victoria | 18 November 2020 - 19 February 2021 | 26 - 27 March 2021 | Friday 18 June 2021 |
| WA | 18 November 2020 - 19 February 2021 | Saturday 6 March 2021 | Friday 11 June 2021 |
| National | N/A | Jury Tour: July 2021 | Thursday 4 November 2021 |
Awards and prizes documents
Awards and prizes policy
Before submitting an entry into the 2021 Chapter Architecture Awards, please become familiar with the Awards, Prizes and Honours Policy.
Terms and conditions
Ensure you also read the terms and conditions before submitting an entry.
Consent forms
It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure that the following copyright consent forms are completed and signed. Entrants are required to submit these forms to the Institute as part of the online entry system.
other documents
For Regional, State and National Jurors please download the 2021 Awards Jury Handbook
For projects wishing to be considered in the Sustainable Architecture category, please complete the Sustainable Architecture Award Checklist
For Regional, State and National Jurors please download the 2021 Awards Jury Handbook
Sustainable and Sustaining Architecture Award Checklist
Watch the 2020 Live winners announcement
Watch the Live winners announcement in a free livestream
From an original entry field of 806 projects, 180 entries progressed through the Chapter Awards for national consideration earlier this year. The National Jury has selected 76 entries for the shortlist that are now vying for the top spots across 14 categories.
Join us as we live stream the 2020 National Architecture Awards for the first time in the award program’s almost 40-year history. Tune in and watch the free live announcements via our YouTube channel anywhere from around Australia and the world on Thursday 5 November, 7pm AEDT.
2020 People's Choice Award
Vote for your favourite house
Residential projects in the 2020 National Architecture Awards shortlist from both the Houses (New) and Houses (Alterations and Additions) categories are eligible for the People’s Choice Award.
This year 13 houses are in the running to become Australia’s favourite house. Vote for your favourite today!
Vote for your favourite house and go in the running to win one of three $500 Bunnings vouchers thanks to our Major National Corporate Partner Dulux.
Meet your 2020 jurors
Professor Helen Lochhead LFRAIA (Jury Chair)
Immediate Past National President – Australian Institute of Architects
Kerry Clare LFRAIA
Director – Clare Design
Dr Tim Greer LFRAIA
Director – Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects
Jennie Officer RAIA
Founder and Director – Officer Woods Architects
Jefa Greenaway (WAILWAN|KAMILAROI) RAIA
Founder and Director -Greenaway Architects
2020 National Winners
Commercial Architecture
Image: The Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture | Phoenix Central Park | Durbach Block Jaggers and John Wardle Architects | Photographer: Martin Mischkulnig
Image: The Daryl Jackson Award for Educational Architecture | Ian Potter Southbank Centre, University of Melbourne | John Wardle Architects | VIC | Photographer: Trevor Mein
Educational Architecture
Image: National Enduring Architecture Award | Palm Garden House | Richard Leplastrier | NSW | Photographer: Peter Salhani
Enduring Architecture
Heritage Architecture
Image: The Lachlan MacQuarie Award for Heritage – Joint Winner | Bozen’s Cottage | Taylor & Hinds Architects | TAS | Photographer: Adam Gibson
Image: The Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture | Phoenix Central Park | Durbach Block Jaggers and John Wardle Architects | Photographer: Tom Ferguson
Interior Architecture
Image: The Arroyo Affordable Housing | Koning Eizenberg Architecture, Inc | Photographer: Eric Staudenmaier
International Architecture
Public Architecture
Image: The Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture – Joint Winner | Anzac Memorial Centenary Extension | Johnson Pilton Walker with the Government Architect NSW | NSW | Photographer: Peter Bennetts
Image: The Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture – Hours (Alts + Adds) | Redwood | Chenchow Little | NSW | Photographer: Peter Bennetts
Residential Architecture - Houses (Alts + Adds)
Image: The Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) – Joint Winner | Basin Beach House | Peter Stutchbury Architecture | Photographer: Michael Nicholson
Residential Architecture - Houses (New)
Residential Architecture - Multiple Housing
Image: The Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing | Studio Apartments | Hill Thalis Architecture and Urban Projects | Photographer: The Guthrie Project
Image: The Nicholas Murcutt Award for Small Project Architecture | For Our Country | Edition Office and Daniel Boyd | ACT | Photographer: Ben Hosking
Small Project Architecture
Image: The David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture | Marrickville Library | BVN | NSW | Photographer: Tom Roe
Sustainable ARchitecture
Urban Design
Image: The Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design | Metro North West | Hassell, in collaboration with Turpin Crawford Studio and McGregor Westlake Architecture | NSW | Photographer: Brett Boardman
Image: COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture | Carlton Learning Precinct COLA | Law Architects | VIC | Photographer: Dianna Snape
COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture
![Outside [the] box | Troppo Architects | SA | Traditional Land Owners: Kaurna people | Photographer: Mitchell Lowe](https://www.architecture.com.au/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/4754-resaltsadds_Outsidethebox_TroppoArchitects_MitchellLowe_00-2-ovml498hoqrixl4opl5errk6be652j5ctwk5oa23k8.jpg "4754-resaltsadds_Outsidethebox_TroppoArchitects_MitchellLowe_00")
Image: People’s Choice Award | Outside [the] box | Troppo Architects | SA | Photographer: Mitchell Lowe
People's Choice Award
2020 Chapter Winners
See the full list of winners from the 2020 ACT Chapter Architecture Awards
See the full list of winners for the 2020 NSW Chapter Architecture Awards
See the full list of winners from the 2020 NT Chapter Architecture Awards
Entrant gallery of the 2020 QLD Chapter Architecture Awards
See the full list of winners for the 2020 SA Chapter Architecture Awards
Entrant gallery of the 2020 Tasmanian Chapter Architecture Awards
See the full list of winners for the 2020 Victorian Chapter Architecture Awards
See the full list of winners for the 2020 WA Chapter Architecture Awards
See the full list of the 2020 International Chapter Architecture Awards
Field of entries
Entrant gallery of the 2020 ACT Chapter Architecture Awards
Entrant gallery of the 2020 NSW Chapter Architecture Awards
See the full list of winners from the 2020 NT Chapter Architecture Awards
Entrant gallery of the 2020 QLD Chapter Architecture Awards
Entrant gallery of the 2020 SA Chapter Architecture Awards
Entrant gallery of the 2020 Tasmanian Chapter Architecture Awards
Entrant gallery of the 2020 Victorian Chapter Architecture Awards
Entrant gallery of the 2020 WA Chapter Architecture Awards
Entrant gallery of the 2020 International Chapter Architecture Awards
What's on: Awards
Prizes and Awards News
Celebrating ‘architecture that enlivens’ as 2020 Award Winners announced
In a year that has seen Australians interact more with their immediate built environment than ever before, projects that go above and beyond, enlivening their surroundings, have received the nation’s
National Architecture Awards – Get Involved!
“Hi we’re ACME Architects and you’re watching the National Architecture Awards!” Record a video message that we can play back during the awards live stream on 5 November. We’re collecting
2020 National Architecture Awards shortlist released ahead of first live-streamed winners event
The tightly contested competition for the title of Australia’s best architecture in 2020 moved a step closer today with the release of the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Architecture Awards
Australian architecture abroad celebrated in International Chapter Awards
Australian architecture around the world was championed in the 2020 Australian Institute of Architects International Chapter Awards, with Koning Eizenberg Architecture featuring prominently this year for two outstanding projects in the United States.
Guidelines for National Jury Judging – Virtual Site Visit
The Institute acknowledges that the Government restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 are continuing to impact the everyday lives of our members. Due to these restrictions it has been necessary for the Institute to revise the process of National judging for the 2020 National Architecture Awards.
Dulux Study Tour 2021 update
Due to ongoing travel restrictions and the uncertainty that remains, the 2021 Dulux Study Tour call for entries will not open in August, as usually would be the case. We