Introducing the 2025 SA Architecture Awards Jurors!
The South Australian Architecture Awards celebrate excellence in the built environment—and at the heart of this process are our esteemed jurors.
Each year, a diverse group of professionals generously volunteers their time and expertise to review, evaluate and celebrate outstanding architectural projects across the state. In 2025, we welcome a dedicated cohort of architects and guest jurors, including leading voices from allied professions, who bring fresh perspectives and invaluable insight to the judging process.
The Role of a Juror
Jurors are entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the integrity and quality of the Awards. Over several months, they:
Attend presentations by architects and design teams, held during Jury Day on 15 March at U City.
Participate in on-site project visits between 24 March and 4 April to gain a deeper understanding of the design outcomes and their real-world context.
Collaborate in deliberation sessions to assess each entry based on a defined set of criteria, including design excellence, sustainability, public benefit, innovation, and client engagement.
Contribute to the drafting of citations, which form the official commentary on each awarded or commended project and serve as a public record of excellence.
Guiding Principles and Considerations
Jurors evaluate each project on its individual merit, with a focus on how well it responds to the brief, context, and broader social, cultural, and environmental factors. They are asked to consider:
What makes the project exceptional?
How has the architect addressed technical, environmental or budgetary challenges?
Does the project demonstrate leadership in design innovation or sustainability?
What public benefit does the work deliver?
All entries must pass a minimum threshold on the Sustainability Checklist, and those nominated specifically for the Sustainable Architecture category undergo additional scrutiny.
Award Categories and Recognition
Each jury may bestow:
Commendations – recognising well-resolved projects that demonstrate technical or contextual excellence.
Architecture Awards – for projects that demonstrate a consistently high level of achievement.
Named Awards – the highest honour within each category, reserved for the most outstanding project.
Select jurors also contribute to specialist awards, including:
The COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture
The Sustainable Architecture Award
The EmAGN Project Award
And ultimately, the SA Architecture Medal – awarded to the most outstanding project across all categories.
A Collaborative and Respectful Process
The judging process is designed to be inclusive, equitable and transparent. All deliberations are confidential, and the final outcomes are determined through rigorous discussion, peer review, and cross-jury moderation. Citations are collaboratively written and reviewed to ensure clarity, consistency, and accessibility—free from jargon and unnecessary complexity.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all 2025 jurors for their contribution to this important program. Their work not only helps to uphold the standard of architectural excellence in South Australia but also highlights the value and impact of great design in our communities.
