The National Award for Enduring Architecture is an Australian architecture prize presented annually by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) since 2003. The award recognises long lasting, innovative and culturally significant Australian architecture with usually more than 25 years passed since the completion of construction.

Background The Award for Enduring Architecture recognises achievement for the design of buildings of outstanding merit, which remain important as high quality works of architecture when considered in the contemporary context. Nominations for the award can be made by AIA members, non-members and non-architects, but they must provide adequate material and information supporting a nomination for consideration of the jury. The Award also provides opportunity to recognise buildings that were not previously submitted into the annual awards programs.

The Award was initially called the National 25 Year Award when it was established in 2003. In 2007 the award name was changed to the '25 Year Award for Enduring Architecture' later becoming the 'National Award for Enduring Architecture' in 2011. The American Institute of Architects has awarded a 25 Year Award annually since 1969. The ACT Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects inaugurated the first '25 Year Award' for architecture in Australia in 1995.

The average age of the 23 projects awarded between 2003 and 2025 is 40 years.

State awards for enduring architecture The Australian Institute of Architects national awards jury selects a national winner each year from a shortlist made of up to eight selected state and territory 'enduring architecture projects' from the AIA local chapter awards including;

Sir Roy Grounds Award for Enduring Architecture (Australian Capital Territory, started 1995) New South Wales Enduring Architecture Award (started 2003) Maggie Edmond Enduring Architecture Award (Victoria, started 2003) Robin Gibson Award for Enduring Architecture (Queensland, started 2003) Jack Cheesman Award for Enduring Architecture (South Australia, started 2005) Tasmania Award for Enduring Architecture (started 2010) Northern Territory Enduring Architecture Award (started 2013) Richard Roach Jewell Award for Enduring Architecture (Western Australia, started 2015)

Recipients of the state–based award are then eligible for consideration for the National Award for Enduring Architecture presented later in the same year, as part of the Australian National Architecture Awards.

Inaugural award, Sydney Opera House, 2003

In November 2003 arguably Australia's most well known building, the Sydney Opera House, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon was acknowledged with the inaugural National Award for Enduring Architecture (National 25 Year Award) shortly after the 30th anniversary of the building's official opening on 20 October 1973. This acknowledgement followed the awarding of the inaugural New South Wales Enduring Architecture Award to the Sydney Opera House in July 2003 at the New South Wales Chapter Awards.

The move to recognition followed a long period of reconciliation with Utzon and plans for new work and restoration of the Opera House. The award also assisted in the process for UNESCO World Heritage nomination, eventually confirmed in 2007.

2026 Award In July 2026 three projects were shortlisted from state chapter awards for consideration of the national award: Adelaide High School by Edward B. Fitzgerald and John R. Brogan (SA), Clubbe Hall, Mittagong by AJC Architects (NSW) and Dorney House at Fort Nelson, Hobart by J.H. Esmond Dorney (Tasmania).

List of National Award recipients National Award for Enduring Architecture (reverse order) Year ArchitectProjectLocationStateYear BuiltYears SinceOther AIA/RAIA Awards 2025 Gregory BurgessUluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Cultural Centre Uluru Road, Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National ParkNorthern Territory1995 30 years Northern Territory Enduring Architecture Award, 2025 High Commendation, Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture, 1995 Tracy Memorial Award, 1995 (NT) New Institutional Building Award, 1995 (NT) People’s Choice Award, 1995 (NT) 2024 Donovan Hill C HouseCoorparoo, BrisbaneQueensland 1998 26 years Robin Gibson Award for Enduring Architecture, 2004 2023 Gregory Burgess Brambuk: Living Cultural Centre (now National Parks and Cultural Centre) 277 Grampians Road, Halls GapVictoria 1990 33 years Maggie Edmond Enduring Architecture Award, 2023 Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture, 1990 2022 Ken Woolley Woolley House (now Woolley Hesketh House) 34 Bullecourt Avenue, MosmanNew South Wales1962 60 years NSW Enduring Architecture Award, 2022 Wilkinson Award, 1962 2021 Kevin Borland, John and Phyllis Murphy and Peter McIntyre (with engineer Bill Irwin)Swimming and Diving StadiumOlympic Boulevard and Batman Avenue, MelbourneVictoria 195663 years Maggie Edmond Enduring Architecture Award, 2021 Building of the Year, 1956 2020 Richard LeplastrierPalm Garden House Bilgola BeachNew South Wales1976 44 years NSW Enduring Architecture Award, 2020 2019 Philip Cox & PartnersAyers Rock Resort(now Sails in the Desert)Yulara Northern Territory198435 years Northern Territory Enduring Architecture Award, 2019 Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture, 1985 2018 Hall, Phillips and Wilson ArchitectsTownsville Courts of Law Edmund Sheppard Building31 Walker Street, TownsvilleQueensland1975 43 years Robin Gibson Award for Enduring Architecture, 2018 (Qld) 2017 Aaron Bolot17 Wylde Street Apartments17 Wylde Street, Potts PointNew South Wales1951 66 years NSW Enduring Architecture Award, 2017 2016 Howlett and Bailey Architects Perth Concert Hall 5 St Georges Terrace, PerthWestern Australia1973 43 years Richard Roach Jewell Award for Enduring Architecture, 2016 (WA) 2015 Howlett and Bailey ArchitectsCouncil House27–29 St Georges Terrace, PerthWestern Australia1963 52 years Richard Roach Jewell Award for Enduring Architecture, 2015 (WA) 2014 Ian McKay and Philip Cox Architects in AssociationTocal College (CB Alexander Campus)815 Tocal Road, Paterson New South Wales 1963 51 years Blacket Prize, 1964 (NSW) NSW Enduring Architecture Award, 2014 2013 Mitchell Giurgola and ThorpAustralian Parliament HouseCanberraACT 1988 25 years Sir Roy Grounds Award for Enduring Architecture, 2013 Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture, 1989 Canberra Medallion for Architectural Excellence, 1989 2012 Harry SeidlerAustralia Square264 George Street, Sydney New South Wales 1967 45 yearsNSW Award Enduring Architecture Award, 2012 Sir John Sulman Medal, 1968 RAIA Civic Design Award for a work of outstanding environmental design, 1968 2011 Glenn MurcuttMagney HouseBingie Point New South Wales1984 27 years NSW Enduring Architecture Award, 2011 Robin Boyd Award, 1985 Wilkinson Award, 1985 2010 Department of Public Works (Architect Peter Partridge)Supreme Court Complex Salamanca Place, HobartTasmania 1975 35 years Tasmania Award for Enduring Architecture, 2010 2009 Yuncken Freeman Brothers, Griffiths & Simpson; Gregory BurgessSidney Myer Music BowlKings Domain, Melbourne Victoria1959 50 years Maggie Edmond Enduring Architecture Award, 2009 Melbourne Prize, 2002 2008 Vivian Fraser in Association with NSW Government ArchitectWharf Theatre Walsh Bay New South Wales1984 24 years NSW Enduring Architecture Award, 2008' President's Award for Recycled Buildings, 1985 (National Awards) 2007 Edwards Madigan Torzillo BriggsHigh Court of Australia Building Parkes Place, ParkesACT1980 27 years Sir Roy Grounds Award for Enduring Architecture, 2007 2006 Grounds, Romberg & BoydRobin Boyd House II(Walsh Street House)290 Walsh Street, South YarraVictoria195848 years Maggie Edmond Enduring Architecture Award, 2006 2005 Yuncken FreemanBHP House140 William Street, MelbourneVictoria197232 years Maggie Edmond Enduring Architecture Award, 2005 Award of Merit, 1973 Bronze Medal, 1975 2004 Glenn MurcuttKempsey Farmhouse (Marie Short House) Kempsey New South Wales1974 30 years NSW Enduring Architecture Award, 2004 2003 Jørn Utzon Sydney Opera House including (Stage 2, Hall Todd & Littlemore SydneyNew South Wales 1973 30 years NSW Enduring Architecture Award, 2003 NSW Enduring Architecture Award, 2006 (Stage 2) RAIA Merit Award, 1974 RAIA Civic Design Award, 1980 RAIA Commemorative Award, Jørn Utzon – Sydney Opera House, 1992 NSW Architecture Medallion, 2023 (Renewal by Ashton Raggatt McDougall) Greenway Award for Heritage, 2023 (NSW) John Verge Award for Interior Architecture, 2023 (NSW) Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture, 2023 Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage, 2023

Gallery of awarded projects

Distribution and location of awards

The average age of recognition of 23 projects awarded (2003—2025) is 40 years since completion of construction or opening. Projects located in New South Wales have dominated the Award, with nine of the 23 awarded projects located there, five in Victoria, two in Canberra (Australian Capital Territory), Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland, and one in Tasmania. No projects from South Australia have been nationally recognised.

See also Australian Institute of Architects Australian Institute of Architects Awards and Prizes Maggie Edmond Enduring Architecture Award New South Wales Enduring Architecture Award Northern Territory Enduring Architecture Award Jack Cheesman Award for Enduring Architecture Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture 25 Year Award (USA)

References