The Urban Land Institute (ULI) has unveiled the finalists for the 2025 ULI Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence, showcasing 25 exemplary projects across the region.

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Image: Reddam House North Shore by AJC Architects / Tyrone Branigan

These projects, selected from 43 submissions, demonstrate the highest standards of innovation, sustainability, and positive community impact.

The winners will be announced during the ULI Asia Pacific Summit, scheduled to take place on 28 May.

Among the standout finalists are three projects from Australia, each reflecting a unique approach to place-making and urban development.

In North Sydney, Reddam House North Shore, developed by Built Capital with design by AJC Architects and Dua Green, represents a modern reimagining of educational space. It combines thoughtful architecture with functional learning environments, contributing significantly to the local school community and urban fabric.

Further north in Port Macquarie, the Guulabaa Place of Koala project, led by Forestry Corporation of New South Wales in collaboration with global design firm Gensler, stands out as an ambitious effort in environmental education and conservation. It serves not only as a sanctuary for koalas but also as a public engagement space that fosters awareness of native wildlife preservation.

Sydney’s historic Woolloomooloo Wharf also features among the finalists, thanks to its revitalisation by Walker Corporation and architectural firm Buchan.

This heritage-sensitive transformation has breathed new life into one of the city’s most iconic waterfronts, blending residential, commercial, and public spaces while maintaining strong ties to its maritime past.

Image: Guulabaa / Image courtesy of Forestry Corporation of NSW

Not Australia-based but by an Australian practice, Woods Bagot's Suzhou Yanlord Cangjie has also been selected as a finalist for the 2025 ULI Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence, celebrating its visionary blend of heritage and modernity in shaping urban communities.

These projects appear alongside a diverse range of developments from across the Asia Pacific region, including innovative public parks, revitalised cultural spaces, and large-scale urban regeneration efforts in China, Bangladesh, and beyond.

The awards programme celebrates projects that demonstrate excellence not only in design and construction but also in long-term impact, economic viability, and community value.

As the region continues to grapple with the demands of rapid urbanisation, climate resilience, and social equity, the finalists for this year’s awards collectively reflect a commitment to sustainable and inclusive development. Each project serves as a model for how the built environment can evolve to better serve people, places, and the planet.

More information on the 2025 finalists is available via the ULI Asia Pacific website.

Image: Garakta-Studio / Envato

Clémence Carayol

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