The Australian Institute of Architects has announced the shortlist for the 2026 National Architecture Awards, with 62 projects across 14 categories selected to compete for the profession's highest national honours.

Representing projects from almost every Australian state and territory, along with several international entries, the shortlist spans residential, commercial, education, heritage, sustainable, civic and community architecture. Together, the selected works reflect the breadth of contemporary design and demonstrate how architecture is responding to evolving social, environmental and urban challenges.

commercial_65 Dover Street_Fieldwork_Tom Ross.jpg — *Commercial Architecture | 65 Dover Street, Cremorne | Fieldwork | Photo: Tom Ross*

Australian Institute of Architects 2026 National Architecture Awards Jury Chair and SJB Partner Adam Haddow says the shortlisted projects illustrate the lasting influence architecture can have on everyday life.

"This year's shortlist is a reminder of what's at stake when we talk about architecture. These aren't just buildings, they're the settings for our working lives, our family lives, our civic lives, sometimes for generations,” he shares.

“Good architecture makes us more productive, more connected, and simply happier in the spaces we occupy every day. It also holds a mirror up to who we are as a society – what we value, what we're willing to invest in, what we want to leave behind. The architects on this list understand that responsibility, and they've designed buildings built to last, not just physically, but in the way they'll continue to serve people long after the ribbon is cut."

educational_PlantFuturesFacility_m3architecture_ChristopherFrederickJones.jpg — *Educational Architecture | Plant Futures Facility | m3architecture | Photo: Christopher Frederick Jones*

Alongside Haddow, this year's jury also includes Alice Hampson, Director, AHA Alice Hampson Architect; Jeremy McLeod, Design Director, Breathe Architecture; Isaac McCormack, Architect, GHD Design; and Dr Helen Norrie, Associate Head of School (Students), University of Tasmania.

Over the coming weeks, the jury will undertake a comprehensive assessment process, visiting each shortlisted project across Australia, while international entries will be reviewed virtually before the final winners are determined.

The 2026 National Architecture Awards winners will be announced at the Institute's gala presentation in Brisbane on 29 October.

Heritage_Adelaide Town Hall_SwanburyPenglase_BradGriffin.jpg — *Heritage | Adelaide Town Hall | Swanbury Penglase | Photo: Brad Griffin*

2026 National Architecture Awards shortlist

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture

Marri Pavilions | Rezen Studio
The Ablutions at Wybalenna | Taylor and Hinds Architects with the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania
Yitpi Yartapuultiku (The Soul of Port Adelaide) | Ashley Halliday Architects together with the Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal Working Group and Wax Design

*COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture | Marri Pavilions | Rezen Studio | Photo: Jack Lovel*

Commercial Architecture

205 North Quay | Hassell REX Richards & Spence
65 Dover Street, Cremorne | Fieldwork
Moorundi Health Centre | Phillips/Pilkington Architects
New Sydney Fish Market | 3XN in association with BVN and ASPECT Studios

public_NewSydneyFishMarket_3XNBVNASPECT_RasmusHjortshøj.jpg — *Commercial Architecture | New Sydney Fish Market | 3XN in association with BVN and ASPECT Studios | Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj*

Educational Architecture

ECU City | Lyons with Silver Thomas Hanley and Haworth Tompkins
Green Square Public School and Community Spaces | BVN
Plant Futures Facility | m3architecture
The Forest | Woods Bagot
Wilderness School Early Years Development | Grieve Gillett Architects

Enduring Architecture

Adelaide High School | Edward B. Fitzgerald and John R. Brogan
Clubbe Hall | AJC Architects
Dorney House at Fort Nelson | J. H. Esmond Dorney

Enduring Architecture_Adelaide High School_Edward B Fitzgerald and John R Brogan_HERO_Craig Glasson.jpg — *Enduring Architecture | Adelaide High School | Edward B. Fitzgerald and John R. Brogan | Photo: Craig Glasson*

Heritage

Adelaide Town Hall | Swanbury Penglase
Chapel for St Peters Lutheran College, Indooroopilly | m3architecture
Entertainment Hall White Bay | DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design with Placemaking NSW
Sunbury Community Arts & Cultural Precinct | Architecture Associates with Openwork
The Homestead Renewal at Wybalenna | Taylor and Hinds Architects with the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania
The Lands by Capella | Hassell in collaboration with Purcell Architecture

Interior Architecture

Golden Avenue | J.AR Office
Gugan Gulwan | COX Architecture with ck architecture Australia
Studio8 | Partners Hill
Surrey 112 | Smart Design Studio

INTERIOR_GOLDEN AVE_J AR OFFICE_DAVID CHATFIELD.jpg — *Interior Architecture | Golden Avenue | J.AR Office | Photo: David Chatfield*

International Architecture

Further | MORQ
Hundested House | Sanderson Bell and Einrum Arkitekter
Santa Monica Vermont Apartments | KoningEizenberg Architecture
TDX Ice Factory | NU architecture & design

International Architecture_SantaMonicaVermontl_KoningEizenberg_HereandNowAgency.jpg — *International Architecture | Santa Monica Vermont Apartments | KoningEizenberg Architecture | Photo: Here and Now Agency*

Public Architecture

Central Station | Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan + Partners
New Footscray Hospital | COX Architecture and Billard Leece Partnership
Palm Beach Aquatic & Community Centre | Liquid Blu and COX Architecture
Pier Pavilion | Besley & Spresser
Yitpi Yartapuultiku (The Soul of Port Adelaide) | Ashley Halliday Architects together with the Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal Working Group and Wax Design

Public Architecture - Central Station Northern Concourse_Trevor Mein.jpg — *Public Architecture | Central Station | Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan + Partners | Photo: Trevor Mein*

Residential Architecture - Houses (Alterations and Additions)

Balfour Terrace | Cumulus Studio
Darlinghurst House | Anthony Gill Architects
Palmerston Street House | Robert Simeoni Architects
Stuartholme House | Nielsen Jenkins with Michael Lumby
Woodside Cottage | ME

Residential Architecture - Houses (New)

Birdwood | Peter Besley
Cottesloe House | Vokes and Peters with Sam Carter
Cowrie Hole | Curious Practice
EA House | Bokey Grant
Eric Street | Officer Woods Architects
eton | vittinoAshe architects
House in a Garden | Edition Office

RESNEW_House in a Garden_EDITIONOFFICE_MaximeDelvaux_16_9.jpg — *Residential Architecture - Houses (New) | House in a Garden | Edition Office | Photo: Maxime Delvaux*

Residential Architecture - Multiple Housing

443 Queen St | WOHA with Architectus & Kris Kowalski Architects
9 Wilson Ave | MA+Co
Habilis | Collins and Turner
Lacebark | Smart Design Studio
Merri Northcote | Six Degrees Architects
Northumberland Road Community Housing | Caleb Smith Architect

Small Project Architecture

Broken Workshop | Atelier Luke
Magenta Outhouse | Atelier Marks Gaal
St Thomas More Columbarium | Simon Pendal Architect
The Ablutions at Wybalenna | Taylor and Hinds Architects with the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania

*Small Project Architecture | Broken Workshop | Atelier Luke | Photo: Yohei Sakura*

Sustainable Architecture

North Wright Compact Housing | Trella Architecture and Interiors
Port Phillip EcoCentre | Bourke and Bouteloup Architects
The Forest | Woods Bagot
Yitpi Yartapuultiku (The Soul of Port Adelaide) | Ashley Halliday Architects together with the Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal Working Group and Wax Design
Younghusband | Woods Bagot

urban_St Kilda Pier_JCB et al_PeterClarke.jpg — *Urban Design | St Kilda Pier Redevelopment | Jackson Clements Burrows Architects with Site Office Landscape Architecture and AW Maritime | Photo: Peter Clarke*

Urban Design

Balam Balam Place | Kennedy Nolan
Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 | COX Architecture
St Kilda Pier Redevelopment | Jackson Clements Burrows Architects with Site Office Landscape Architecture and AW Maritime
Sydney Harbour Bridge Northern Access Cycleway | Collins and Turner with Aspect Studios, Eckersley O'Callaghan and Design 5 - Architects
Kangaroo Point Bridge | Architecture and Design: Blight Rayner Architecture with Dissing + Weitling Concept; and Reference Design: Brisbane City Council with Arup and COX Architecture

Main image: Educational Architecture | Wilderness School Early Years Development | Grieve Gillett Architects | Photo: Sweet Lime Photo

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