This year's AIA 2017 Architecture Awards shows that regional Australia is generating some of the finest architecture in the country.

Projects from regions as diverse as the Pilbara, Darwin, the Daintree, and Tasmania’s remote Bruny Island all won prizes at the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Architecture Awards.

Emerging practices also featured strongly in the prize-winning 44 projects, announced in Canberra last week.

"The jury gave preference to projects demonstrating the contribution architecture can make to the public good," said Jury chair and Immediate Past President Ken Maher.

Project were awarded "were inventive in their responses to context, site and program" and "celebrated an understanding of materials and making", he said.

The winners were selected from the largest field of entries received in the nearly four decades the awards program has been running. A total of 983 entries were received, and 72 were shortlisted for national honours.

Maher said the jury’s experience was that "truly exceptional work speaks so powerfully that little debate is necessary – just an unspoken shared sense of joy and admiration."

The complete list of winners in the AIA 2017 National Architecture Awards

Commercial Architecture

• The Harry Seidler Award – The EY Centre by fjmt (NSW) (Pictured below.)

• National Award – Willinga Park by Cox Architecture (ACT)
• National Commendation – NewActon Nishi by Fender Katsalidis Architects (ACT)

Educational Architecture

• The Daryl Jackson Award – East Sydney Early Learning Centre by Andrew Burges Architects in association with the City of Sydney (NSW) (Pictured below.)

• 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)

Enduring Architecture

• National Award – 17 Wylde Street by Aaron M Bolot (NSW) (Pictured below.)

Heritage

• The Lachlan Macquarie Award – Albert Park College Environmental Arts Hub by Six Degrees Architects (Vic) (Pictured below.)

• 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)

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)

International Architecture

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

Public Architecture

• The Sir Zelman Cowen Award – East Pilbara Arts Centre by Officer Woods Architects (WA) (Pictured below.)

• 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 and HDR Rice Daubney as Sunshine Coast Architects (Qld)
• National Commendation – Act for Kids Child and Family Centre of Excellence by m3architecture (Qld)

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 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 Architecture – Multiple Housing

• The Frederick Romberg Award – Tropology for DHA by Troppo Architects (NT) (Pictured below.)

• National Award – Crown 515 by Smart Design Studio (NSW)
• National Commendation – RMIT Bundoora West Student Accommodation by Richard Middleton Architects (RMA) (Vic)

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)

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)

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)

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture

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

People’s Choice Award

• Winner – Tent House by Sparks Architects (Qld)

The 2017 National Jury consisted of:

• 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

Click here to find our more about the AIA's 2017 Architecture Awards.

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