The New South Wales Enduring Architecture Award is an architecture award presented annually by the New South Wales Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) since 2003. The award recognises existing buildings older than 25 years since construction. The average age of the 24 awarded projects to date is 45.3 years (between 2003—2026).

Background Purpose The award recognises significant, long lasting and innovative architecture with usually more than 25 years passed since the completion of construction. The Enduring Architecture Award recognises achievement for the design of buildings of outstanding merit, which have remained important as high quality works of architecture when considered in contemporary cultural, social, economic and environmental contexts.

Nomination process Nominations for the award can be made by AIA members, non–members and non–architects, but must provide adequate material and information supporting the nomination for consideration of the jury. The nomination process is open to AIA members and public via a web portal during the awards submission window (between November and February).

Political agenda of Award The Enduring Architecture Award has gained an important role in highlighting conservation efforts for highly valued buildings at risk of significant changes or even demolition. Both the Sirius Building public housing project in The Rocks and the MLC Building in North Sydney had both been at risk of alteration or demolition at the hands of their owners. The AIA has used the awards to raise public awareness of the plight of culturally significant buildings under threat, assisting in both cases to preserve the building and enhance heritage listing status.

National Awards Recipients of a state–based award are eligible for consideration for the National Award for Enduring Architecture presented later in the same year, as part of the Australian National Architecture Awards. Between 2003 and 2025 nine of the 23 National Awards were located in New South Wales.

Awards by year 2024 Award In February 2024 it was announced the three person jury would be formed of Caroline Pidcock (Jury Chair), Paulo Macchia (Government Architect NSW) and Leone Lorrimer (GHD). In the run up to the Awards presentation, three buildings were announced as under consideration for the 2024 Award including; St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Michael Fox Architects, NSW State Projects, William Wardell and Cyril Wardell; The Glass House, Castlecrag by Bill and Ruth Lucas and St Johns Village, Glebe by Hely, Bell & Horne (winner of the 1964 Sir John Sulman Medal).

At the NSW Architecture Awards held on 28 June 2024, The Glass House, Castlecrag was presented with the 2024 Award. The Award was accepted by Peter Lucas, son of Ruth and Bill Lucas, and builder of the recent restoration of the house completed in 2023 with Cracknell & Lonergan Architects.

2025 Award In January 2025 it was announced the three person jury would be formed of former NSW Premier, the Honorable Bob Carr (Jury Chair) with architects Helen Lochhead and Peter McGregor (McGregor Westlake Architecture).

At the 2025 NSW Architecture Awards, the inner city residential development known as Moore Park Gardens was presented with the award. The project was designed by AJC Architects and completed in 2000 on the former Tooths Brewery site between South Dowling Street and Bourke Streets, Redfern.

The jury citation described the project "...the site’s built form is both articulate and distinctive, with efficient planning and excellent apartment amenity that extends across towers, street edge blocks, maisonettes, and cross-overs. The robust and workmanlike material fabric shows few signs of age 25 years on, and the hundreds of residents that have maintained tenancy over this time demonstrate the ongoing success and relevance of the architecture, and the rich legacy it provides."

Recipients of the Award

New South Wales Enduring Architecture Award (reverse order) Year Architect Project Location Year BuiltYears Since Other AIA/RAIA Awards2026Allen, Jack and CottierClubbe Hall, Frensham SchoolWaverley Parade and Range Road, Mittagong196660 yearsBlacket Prize, 1966 (NSW) 2025 Allen, Jack and CottierMoore Park Gardens 780 Bourke Street, Redfern2000 25 years President's Award, 1999 (NSW) 2024 Bill and Ruth Lucas The Glass House 80 The Bulwark, Castlecrag1957 66 years Heritage Architecture Award (Conservation), 2024 (NSW) Built Heritage Award (Small Scale), 2024, National Trust NSW Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage Architecture, 2024 2023 Hassell Olympic Park Station Sydney Olympic Park1998 25 years Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture, 1998 Access Citation Award, 1998 2022 Ken Woolley Woolley House (now Woolley Hesketh House) 34 Bullecourt Avenue, Mosman1962 60 years National Award for Enduring Architecture, 2022 Wilkinson Award, 1962 2021 Bates, Smart & McCutcheon MLC Building 105–153 Miller Street, North Sydney1957 64 years 2020 Richard LeplastrierPalm Garden House Bilgola Beach1976 44 years National Award for Enduring Architecture, 2020 2019 Edward Raht350 George Street350 George Street, Sydney1895124 years 2018 Tao Gofers, NSW Department of Housing with Alexander and Lloyd ArchitectsSirius Building38–70 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney1980 38 years 2017 Aaron M Bolot17 Wylde Street Apartments17 Wylde Street, Potts Point1951 66 years National Award for Enduring Architecture, 2017 2016 John James & AssociatesReader’s Digest BuildingWaterloo Street, Surry Hills196749 years National Award for Enduring Architecture, 2016 2015 Hugh BuhrichBuhrich House II375 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag1972 43 years 2014 Ian McKay and Philip Cox Architects in AssociationTocal College (CB Alexander Campus)815 Tocal Road, Paterson 1963 51 years Blacket Prize, 1964 National Award for Enduring Architecture, 2014 2013 Peddle Thorp & WalkerAMP Building33 Alfred Street, Sydney1962 51 years 2012 Harry SeidlerAustralia Square264 George Street, Sydney1967 45 yearsNational Award for Enduring Architecture, 2012 Sir John Sulman Medal, 1967 RAIA Civic Design Award, for a work of outstanding environmental design, 1967 2011 Glenn MurcuttMagney HouseBingie Point1984 27 years Robin Boyd Award, 1985 National Award for Enduring Architecture, 2011 2010 Harry SeidlerGlen Street Offices 2 Glen Street, Milsons Point 1973 37 years RAIA Interior Design Award (Penthouse apartment), 1991 RAIA Award, 1991 Sir John Sulman Medal, 1981 RAIA Award, 1974 2009 Bruce Rickard Curry House 2 Bayview, Sydney 198227 years Merit Award, 1983 2008 Vivian Fraser in Association with NSW Government Architect (Ian Thomson) Wharf Theatre Walsh Bay 1985 23 years National Award for Enduring Architecture, 2008 President's Award for Recycled Buildings, 1985 (National Awards) 2007 E.H. Farmer (NSW Government Architect) and Andrew Andersons (Design Architect) First Extension to the Art Gallery of New South Wales (Captain Cook Wing) Art Gallery of NSW 1972 35 years Sir John Sulman Medal, 1975 City of Sydney Architectural Award, 1973 2006 Peter Hall (Hall Todd & Littlemore) Concert Hall & Opera Theatre of the Sydney Opera House Sydney 1973 33 years National Award for Enduring Architecture, 2003 2005 J.W. Thomson(NSW Government Architect)David Turner (Project Architect)Allen Jack + Cottier (Documentation)Bruce Mackenzie (Landscape Architect) Kuring-gai College of Advanced Education (now Lindfield Learning Village) 100 Eton Road, Lindfield1972 35 years RAIA Merit Award, 1972 Sir John Sulman Medal, 1978 2004 Glenn Murcutt Kempsey Farmhouse Kempsey 1974 30 years Blacket Prize, 1977 National Award for Enduring Architecture, 2004 2003 Jørn Utzon Sydney Opera House Sydney 1973 30 years National Award for Enduring Architecture, 2003 Utzon awarded the 1973 Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal, the year of building opening RAIA Merit Award, 1974 RAIA Civic Design Award, 1980 RAIA Commemorative Sir John Sulman Medal, 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

See also Australian Institute of Architects Awards and Prizes National Award for Enduring Architecture Maggie Edmond Enduring Architecture Award Sir Roy Grounds Award for Enduring Architecture Jack Cheesman Award for Enduring Architecture Australian Institute of Architects

References