New South Wales Architecture Awards Shortlist 2026 The State’s Best New Architecture

New South Wales’ most outstanding new architecture has been revealed in the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2026 NSW Architecture Awards Shortlist. Comprised of over 120 entrants, the shortlist represents the cutting edge in architectural innovation from the state’s sharpest design minds.

The shortlist for 2026 (detailed on the following pages of this media release) acts as a roadmap to the new building projects that are shaping NSW’s contemporary built environment. Attracting hundreds of entrants from the cities and regions, the NSW shortlist highlights the value of design-led thinking, ensuring good design principles are embedded in planning and delivery across 13 categories, including sustainability within the built environment, encompassing all aspects of residential, community and commercial building design.

Australian Institute of Architects 2026 NSW Architecture Awards Jury Chair, Bill Tsakalos, explained the jury’s shortlisting process and focus for this year’s Awards.

“The Australian Institute of Architects New South Wales Architecture Awards are a vital glimpse into the future of our profession. They reveal how shifts in thinking, approach, and values are continually reshaping architecture, acting as a barometer for emerging priorities and recalibrating expectations of what design can achieve. The Awards influence practitioners, constructors, and clients alike, communicating evolving standards, aspirations, and responsibilities while reflecting contemporary concerns around culture, environmental stewardship, and changing ways of living,” said Tsakalos.

“Ambitious in scope, the program spans every scale—from a single-room addition to complex urban design—ensuring innovation is recognised in both modest and landmark projects. This breadth highlights the diversity of practice and a shared commitment to excellence.”

“Beyond recognition, the Awards foster dialogue, inspire innovation, and sustain the profession’s relevance, encouraging architects to challenge conventions and deliver thoughtful, enduring, and meaningful outcomes.”

Each year, the projects in the NSW Architecture Awards shortlist are selected by an esteemed panel of industry experts and leaders. A comprehensive judging process by the jury determines the eventual winners of the Awards, which will be announced on 2 July 2026.

To see the NSW 2026 Architecture Awards Shortlist go to Australian Institute of Architects