National Architecture Awards Winners 2026 

Australian Architecture is Optimistic in the Face of Adversity 

 Australia’s best new architecture has been revealed in the Australian Institute of Architects National Architecture Awards. The 34 winners represent the best new homes, commercial buildings and community projects across the country. The awarded projects include world-leading examples of First Nations collaboration, sustainable design and contemporary residential and public architecture from Australia’s leading architects. 

The Awards provide insights into how our best designers are addressing the most urgent concerns in contemporary Australia. Across the winning projects, architects are responding to housing affordability, climate and cost of living pressures through more modest homes, lower carbon design and resourceful approaches to Place and community. Notably, in the current climate of societal turmoil many projects displayed a resilient sense of joy, optimism and delight in the face of adversity. 

 Australian Institute of Architects 2026 National Architecture Awards Jury Chair, Adam Haddow, commented on this sense of optimism and common themes amongst the winners. 

“There was an energy of hope in the projects we saw this year, a sense of communities coming together to challenge assumptions. Architects responded to briefs and looked for more, amplifying the possible, to deliver delight and joy – beyond what they were asked to do. The value of good architecture is projecting a sense of joy and delight. This year’s winning buildings are optimistic, with bright outlooks onto the future,” said Haddow. 

“The cost-of-living crisis is heavily impacting housing in Australia. These economic pressures and a rethinking of scale have given rise to more modest, sustainable, efficient and flexible homes that are scaled appropriately to occupants, not sprawling properties. These winners prove you can have a smaller house and live very well.” 

 “This year’s winners delivered significant carbon reductions and are globally or nationally leading in terms of sustainability. The jury observed significant sustainability targets were firmly embedded as a leading design strategy.” 

“Australia is a diverse and changing landscape that requires architectural responses that are site-specific, and sometimes idiosyncratic. The 2026 National Awards jury aimed to recognise projects that amplify the diversity of architectural excellence across the country, celebrating moments where the local is revealed.” 

“Good architecture is about trusting people. Not designing to exclude people but designing things to include. This is architecture that assumes that generally, people are good; people want to live in great places and be connected to their friends, family and the people around them. It is important that the communities can see themselves in the buildings that are delivered, that buildings are accessible and speak to community ambition.” 

 “It is incredibly heartening to see how engagement with First Nations cultures has grown in recent years. These awarded projects understand Indigenous histories and place. They are a true partnership between the architect, community and First Nations people, holding the pen together. These winners think about the way in which architectural projects can help to reconcile and truth-tell, and how that connection to Country can create a sense of pride in communities at large, not just for First Nations people.” 

“The winning small projects are perfect expressions of architecture – carefully and meaningfully stripped back to its essential elements, made with exceptional resourcefulness, craftsmanship and detail on an ultra-small budget. These are deeply site-responsive works that reveal the extraordinary potential of architecture to connect with Place. Creative endeavours that are sublime arrangements of absolute forms that offer a divine experience for users.” 

National Architecture Awards are the highest honour for built design bestowed in Australia and the Australian Institute of Architects is the peak body for architecture. 

A comprehensive judging process by a jury of industry experts determined the winners of the National Architecture Awards. The jury travelled to each Australian project in person. This year, the jury included: 

• 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 

The winners of the National Architecture Awards were announced 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