The Australian Institute of Architects has unveiled the winners of its 2026 NSW Regional Architecture Awards.
A total of 35 architectural projects were recognised across the program, including 23 residential projects. Swansea Heads House by Anthrosite received three accolades, including the David Boyle Award (Central Division), the Named Award for Interior Architecture, and the Named Award for Residential Architecture - Houses (New). Surf Check by Incidental Architecture also appeared three times on the list of winners, claiming the Award for Interior Architecture, the Award for Sustainable Architecture and the Timber Award.
NSW chapter president Elizabeth Carpenter commented, "All of the selected projects this year demonstrate a remarkable clarity of intent, a commitment to simplicity in detailing, a deep care for their environment, and a profound respect for context. Their material palettes are restrained yet inventive, proving that richness in architecture can be achieved through precision and purpose."
"Design excellence demands rigour at every scale," she added. "This is evident in the considered siting of a building within its landscape and equally in the resolution of a single junction detail. Nothing is incidental. Across every project, there is a powerful and deliberate connection to the landscape - so strong, in fact, that it emerges as a defining theme in this year's regional awards."
Under a new structure, the judging process for 2026 was conducted by three regional juries, with Bill Tsakalos serving as chair of chairs. The North Division jury included David Brown of Wentworth Brown as chair, Elise Honeyman of Abask Studio and Mark Spence of Anthrosite. The Central Division jury included Jo Bastian of Bastian Architecture as chair, Janine Campbell, and Luke Moloney of Moloney Architecture. The South Division jury included Jacqueline Connor of SJB as chair, Eleanor Peres of Sibling Architecture and Luke Grey of Muunma Studio.
The residential winners include:
Swansea Heads House - Anthrosite
Swansea Heads House - Anthrosite
Swansea Heads House - Anthrosite
Gerroa House - Scale Architecture
Greybox - Welsh and Major
Surf Check - Incidental Architecture
Coastal House - Walknorth Architects
Copper Ribbon House - Dunn Hillam Architecture and Urban Design
Cowrie Hole - Curious Practice
House Kimberley - AO Design Studio
Myocum Ridge - DFJ Architects
Terra Anima - Ian Sercombe Architect
Zulaikha Laurence "Tree Change House" - Studio ZAWA
Fort House - Curious Practice
Carlton Street Terrace - OVDA Studio
Maryville Heirloom House - Anthrosite
Goonellabah Houses - Pearson Architecture
Indigo - Design Workshop Australia
Gerroa House - Scale Architecture
Surf Check - Incidental Architecture
J-Pod - Maxwell and Page Architects
Kavillo Studios - Cameron Anderson Architects
Sheep Chute House - Local Architect South Coast
Terra Anima - Ian Sercombe Architect
Zulaikha Laurence "Tree Change House" - Studio ZAWA
Longfield - DFJ Architects
Gilay Estate - Cameron Anderson Architects
The Silos Accommodation - Cooee Architecture
Surf Check - Incidental Architecture
Cowrie Hole - Curious Practice
Small House Big Shelter - Ware Architects
The Silos Accommodation - Cooee Architecture
