4 Australian Projects Recognised Among the World’s Best Architecture – RIBA Announces Winners of the RIBA International Awards for Excellence 2026

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Burnt Earth Beach House by Wardle (Anglesea, Victoria): transforms the site of a former beach shack into a multi-generational family home, using handmade terracotta to respond to the demands of its exposed coastal setting.

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Church of the Living God by Angelo Candalepas and Associates (Hurstville, NSW): a civic and spiritual hub combining worship, community outreach and residential accommodation within a multicultural neighbourhood. Photo Rory Gardiner

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Darlington Public School by fjcstudio (Sydney, NSW): a transformative learning environment that connects education with local history and Aboriginal culture.

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The Porter House Hotel by Angelo Candalepas and Associates (Sydney, Australia). Photo Rory Gardiner

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The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the winners of the RIBA International Awards for Excellence 2026, with four stand-out Australian projects recognised among 34 award-winning buildings from across the globe. 

Australia was one of only a handful of countries to secure multiple winning projects. The winners span housing, education, hospitality and community architecture, showcasing the breadth and quality of design being delivered across the country:

  • Burnt Earth Beach House by Wardle (Anglesea, Victoria): transforms the site of a former beach shack into a multi-generational family home, using handmade terracotta to respond to the demands of its exposed coastal setting.

  • Church of the Living God by Angelo Candalepas and Associates (Hurstville, NSW): a civic and spiritual hub combining worship, community outreach and residential accommodation within a multicultural neighbourhood.

  • Darlington Public School by fjcstudio (Sydney, NSW): a transformative learning environment that connects education with local history and Aboriginal culture.

  • The Porter House Hotel by Angelo Candalepas and Associates (Sydney, NSW): converts a heritage-listed 1879 tobacco factory into a contemporary mixed-use destination, balancing historic preservation with new development in the heart of Sydney.

Selected from projects across 15 countries and four continents, this year’s winners demonstrate how architecture can respond to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate resilience and social inclusion to urban regeneration and cultural identity.

All four Australian projects are now in contention for the prestigious RIBA International Prize, one of architecture’s highest honours, with the winner to be announced at the RIBA Stirling Prize ceremony on 15 October 2026 at Old Billingsgate, London.

For more information on the RIBA International Awards for Excellence 2026, and to see all 34 Winners of the RIBA International Awards for Excellence click here

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