2026 National Architecture Awards Shortlist

The Australian Institute of Architects’ 2026 National Architecture Awards Shortlist has been revealed, showcasing the country’s best new homes, buildings and community spaces in contention to win Australia’s most prestigious architecture awards. These 62 shortlisted projects represent the pinnacle of Australian residential and urban design and can be found in almost every state and territory (and several overseas).

The National Architecture Awards act as a prism through which we can evaluate the architectural projects that are shaping Australia’s built environment and addressing the country’s most urgent societal challenges. Australian Institute of Architects 2026 National Architecture Awards Jury Chair, Adam Haddow, explained the jury’s shortlisting process and the importance of the Awards.

“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,” said Haddow.

“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.”

Each year, the projects in the National Architecture Awards shortlist are selected by an esteemed panel of industry experts and leaders. This year, the jury includes:

● Adam Haddow, LFRAIA, Immediate Past President, Australian Institute of Architects, Partner, SJB (Jury Chair)

● Alice Hampson, Director, AHA Alice Hampson Architect

● Jeremy McLeod, Design Director, BREATHE ARCHITECTURE

● Isaac McCormack, Architect, GHD Design

● Dr Helen Norrie, Associate Head of School (Students), University of Tasmania

A comprehensive judging process by the jury determines the eventual winners of the National Architecture Awards, which will be announced on 29 October. In an exhaustive two-week period, the jury will travel to each shortlisted project in person (and the select international projects virtually). The jury’s travels across the country can be followed on the Australian Institute of Architects’ Instagram account.

The eventual winners of the National Architecture Awards will be unveiled at the 2026 National Architecture Awards gala event in Brisbane on 29 October.

For more information and for a detailed view of the shortlist and gallery, visit the Australian Institute of Architects website