Winners of the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Architecture Awards have been revealed with a wide array of regional work being recognised.

From the Pilbara to Darwin, the Daintree and a remote bay on Tasmania’s Bruny Island, some of the country’s most exceptional architecture is coming from regional areas.

The 44 winning projects were announced at an event in Canberra on Thursday evening, with many emerging practices also taking out accolades.

When discussing the jury’s motivation, Immediate Past President, Ken Maher says, “the jury gave preference to projects demonstrating the contribution architecture can make to the public good; projects that were inventive in their responses to context, site and program; and those that celebrated an understanding of materials and making.”

With an unprecedented amount of entries this year, the jury was challenged to select winners and highly commended projects from 983 entries, 72 of which were shortlisted for national honours.

Taking out one of the top honours was a regional project, the East Pilbara Arts Centre (EPAC) by Officer Woods Architects, which was awarded the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture.

The Sir Zelman Cowen Award – East Pilbara Arts Centre by Officer Woods Architects. Photo by Robert Frith.

Described by the jury as a ‘masterstroke building-within-a-building concept’. EPAC has enabled ‘a group of remote Indigenous artists to make a substantial and tangible contribution to a town centre, thereby exemplifying reconciliation in this country.’

In the residential categories, two distinctly different projects stood out. Receiving multiple recognitions is John Wardle Architects’ Captain Kelly’s Cottage on Bruny Island in Tasmania, which received the Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) and a National Commendation for Heritage. The historic 1830s house was described by the jury as ‘a labour of love and passion’.

The Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award – Captain Kelly’s Cottage by John Wardle Architects. Photo by JWA.

The other big residential project of the night is Tamarama house by Durbach Block Jaggers Architects. This home, which the jury describe as having sublime detailing and beautifully sculpted spaces was awarded the Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New).

In total, the national jury presented 35 awards and 13 commendations across the 14 categories.

Full list of winners:

Commercial Architecture

The Harry Seidler Award – The EY Centre by fjmt (NSW)
National Award – Willinga Park by Cox Architecture (ACT)
National Commendation – NewActon Nishi by Fender Katsalidis Architects (ACT)

Commercial Award – Wallinga Park by Cox Architecture. Photo by Alina D’Souza.

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Educational Architecture

The Daryl Jackson Award – East Sydney Early Learning Centre by Andrew Burges Architects in association with the City of Sydney (NSW)
National Award – Albert Park College Environmental Arts Hub by Six Degrees Architects (Vic)
National Award – St Joseph’s Nudgee College Hanly Learning Centre by m3architecture (Qld)
National Award – UQ Forgan Smith Building – TC Beirne School of Law and Walter Harrison Library Refurbishment by BVN (Qld)

Educational Award – Albert Park College Hub by Six Degrees Architecture. Photo by Simon James.

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Enduring Architecture

National Award – 17 Wylde Street by Aaron M Bolot (NSW)

Enduring Award – Potts Point Apartment by Aaron M Bolot. Photo by Max Dupain.

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Heritage

The Lachlan Macquarie Award – Albert Park College Environmental Arts Hub by Six Degrees Architects (Vic)
National Award – Juanita Nielsen Community Centre by Neeson Murcutt Architects Pty Ltd in association with City of Sydney (NSW)
National Award – 100 Harris Street by SJB (NSW)
National Commendation – Captain Kelly’s Cottage by John Wardle Architects (Tas)
National Commendation – Embassy of Sweden by Guida Moseley Brown Architects (ACT)

Heritage Award – 100 Harris Street by SJB. Photo by Felix Forest.

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Interior Architecture

The Emil Sodersten Award – Indigo Slam by Smart Design Studio (NSW)
National Award – UQ Forgan Smith Building – TC Beirne School of Law and Walter Harrison Library Refurbishment by BVN (Qld)
National Commendation – Canberra Airport – International by Guida Moseley Brown Architects (ACT)
National Commendation – The Gipson Commons, St Michael’s Grammar School by Architectus (Vic)

Interior Architecture Award – The Gibson Commons by Architectus. Photo by Trevor Mein.

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International Architecture

The Jørn Utzon Award – Amanemu by Kerry Hill Architects (Japan)
Australian Award – SkyVille @ Dawson by WOHA (Singapore)

International Award – SkyVille @ Dawson by WOHA. Photo by Patrick Bingham Hall.

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Public Architecture

The Sir Zelman Cowen Award – East Pilbara Arts Centre by Officer Woods Architects (WA)
National Award – Juanita Nielsen Community Centre by Neeson Murcutt Architects Pty Ltd in association with City of Sydney (NSW)
National Award – The Globe by Brian Hooper Architect and m3architecture (architects in association) (Qld)
National Award – Sunshine Coast University Hospital by Architectus Brisbane and HDR Rice Daubney as Sunshine Coast Architects (Qld)
National Commendation – Act for Kids Child and Family Centre of Excellence by m3architecture (Qld)

Public Commendation – ACT for Kids by m3architecture. Photo by Peter Bennetts.

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Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations & Additions)

The Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award – Captain Kelly’s Cottage by John Wardle Architects (Tas)
National Award – Annandale House by Welsh + Major Architects (NSW)
National Award – Burleigh Street House by ME (Qld)
National Award – Jac by panovscott (NSW)
National Commendation – Dornoch Terrace House by James Russell Architect (Qld)

Residential Award – Houses Alterations & Additions – Jac by panovscott. Photo by Brett Boardman.

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Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

The Robin Boyd Award – Tamarama House by Durbach Block Jaggers Architects (NSW)
National Award – Cape Tribulation House by m3architecture (Qld)
National Award – Coogee House by Chenchow Little (NSW)
National Award – Mitti Street House by James Russell Architect (Qld)
National Commendation – Dark Horse by Architecture Architecture (Vic)
National Commendation – Rose House by Baracco+Wright Architects (Vic)

Residential Commendation – Houses New – Rose by Baracco+Wright. Photo by Andrew Kidman.

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Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

The Frederick Romberg Award – Tropology for DHA by Troppo Architects (NT)
National Award – Crown 515 by Smart Design Studio (NSW)
National Commendation – RMIT Bundoora West Student Accommodation by Richard Middleton Architects (RMA) (Vic)

Residential Houses – Multi-residential – Gen Y house by David Barr Architect. Photo by Robert Frith.

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Small Project Architecture

The Nicholas Murcutt Award – Lizard Log Amenities by CHROFI (NSW)
National Award – North Bondi Amenities by Sam Crawford Architects with Lymesmith (NSW)
National Commendation – The Piano Mill by Conrad Gargett (Qld)

Small Project Award – Lizard Log Amenities by CHROFI. Photo by Simon Whitbread.

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Sustainable Architecture

The David Oppenheim Award – Central Park Sydney by Tzannes and Cox Richardson and Foster + Partners (NSW)
National Award – 88 Angel St by Steele Associates Architects (NSW)
National Commendation – Gen Y Demonstration Housing Project by David Barr Architect (WA)
National Commendation – Mt Alvernia College Anthony and La Verna Buildings by m3architecture (Qld)

Educational Award – Mt Alvernia College by m3architecture. Photo by Christopher Frederick Jones.

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Urban Design

The Walter Burley Griffin Award – Frank Bartlett Library and Moe Service Centre by fjmt (Vic)
National Award – The Goods Line by ASPECT Studios with CHROFI (NSW)

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COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture

The COLORBOND® Award – Arts West, University of Melbourne by ARM + Architectus (Vic)

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People’s Choice Award

Winner – Tent House by Sparks Architects (Qld)

2017 National Jury

Ken Maher (Chair) – Immediate Past President of the Australian Institute of Architects; Fellow, HASSELL; Honorary Professor, UNSW Sydney
Lawrence Nield – Northern Territory Government Architect; Professor of Architecture, University of Newcastle
Sue Dugdale – Director, Susan Dugdale and Associates
Peter Maddison – Director, Maddison Architects; Host, Grand Designs Australia
Melissa Bright – Founding Director, MAKE architecture

Lead image, East Pilbara Arts Centre by Officer Woods Architects. Photo by Robert Frith.

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Peruse the winners of the National Architecture Awards from 2016.