Woods Bagot has received four awards at the 2026 National Architecture Awards, with three projects recognised across educational, public and sustainable architecture categories.

At the 2026 AIA National Gala held recently, Woods Bagot took home two awards for The Forest, the University of Tasmania’s flagship building in Hobart, alongside national honours for the redevelopment of Sydney’s Central Station and the transformation of Melbourne’s historic Younghusband woolstore precinct.

“We’re grateful to the jury and, above all, to the clients and collaborators behind these projects,” says Woods Bagot Director and Global Design Leader Bruno Mendes. “Each one took years, and each depended on a client willing to take the harder path with an existing building. This recognition belongs to them and to our teams in equal measure. Being named alongside so many projects we admire is something none of us takes for granted.”

Jury Chair Adam Haddow, immediate past president of the Australian Institute of Architects, described this year’s winning projects as “optimistic, with bright outlooks onto the future”.

The Forest – National Award for Educational Architecture and National Award for Sustainable Architecture

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Located in Hobart’s CBD, The Forest connects three existing buildings, including historic but underused warehouses, into a unified learning precinct. A glazed dome atrium forms the main entrance, incorporating landscaping to create an inviting central welcome space.

The Educational Architecture jury described the project as “a creative reimagining of what a university campus can be”, with the building’s range of learning settings, access to greenery and daylight, and craftsmanship drawing appreciation.

In the sustainability category, the jury recognised the retention and adaptation of the original buildings in place of demolition and new construction, while commending the all-electric operation, reuse of existing materials, as well as the exposed structure and natural finishes.

“The Forest was designed for the students who will learn here for generations. The forested atrium and the spaces in between were designed as a civic heart, a place where students, researchers and the wider community can come together,” Mendes explains.

Central Station – National Award for Public Architecture

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A collaboration between Woods Bagot and John McAslan + Partners, Sydney’s Central Station is one of the country’s busiest and most significant transport interchanges. The station accommodates suburban and intercity rail, light rail and bus services, as well as the recently introduced underground metro services, which were threaded through a group of state heritage-listed terminal buildings.

The jury acknowledged the design team’s effortless handling of the project's complexity, noting that improved wayfinding and connections made the station work better within the wider transport network. Describing Central Station as “the jewel of the NSW public transport network”, the jury said the redevelopment had created a world-class interchange capable of serving Sydney for the next century.

“Central Station has always belonged to the people of Sydney. Our ambition was to give something back, weaving public art and the station’s story throughout the new spaces while creating a gateway that welcomes locals and international visitors alike,” says Woods Bagot Principal and Global Rail Lead John Prentice.

“Preserving the station’s history was fundamental. Every new intervention had to be worthy of standing alongside one of Australia’s most iconic pieces of architecture for the next 150 years, and of representing Sydney on the global stage.”

Younghusband – National Award for Sustainable Architecture

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Woods Bagot’s redevelopment of a historic woolstore precinct in Kensington, Melbourne, involved repurposing industrial buildings into an all-electric workplace targeting net zero operational carbon, demonstrating how existing structures can be adapted for contemporary commercial use.

The jury described the Younghusband development as “a shining example of adaptive reuse”, highlighting the precise interventions that reveal the original structure and the retention of existing materials. Salvaged Douglas fir beams were turned into handrails, bridges and bespoke joinery, while the project has delivered an 84% reduction in embodied carbon, saving more than 11.3 million kilograms of CO₂.

“The greenest buildings are the ones that already exist. Younghusband is a testament to the courage of La Caisse, Built and Irongate, who championed adaptive reuse from day one. It also reflects their foresight in setting such an ambitious sustainability agenda, so these woolstores can be enjoyed by generations to come,” says Woods Bagot Director Peter Miglis.

All images supplied.

Adaptive reuse wins big at 2026 National Architecture Awards with four honours for Woods Bagot

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