Bold use of colour, cost-conscious designs and a firm focus on wellbeing are among the standout themes of some of the state’s most innovative new architecture projects.
And the best of these were celebrated last night at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2026 South Australian Architecture Awards gala event.
Australian Institute of Architects 2026 South Australian Architecture Awards Director, Dave Bickmore, said this year’s field was strong.
Adelaide Town Hall. Pictures: Brad Griffin
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Adelaide Town Hall’s stunning interior. Pictures: Brad Griffin
“The 2026 SA Architecture Awards recognise projects delivered in an increasingly complex environment, shaped by rising costs, housing pressures and global uncertainty,” he said. “Despite these challenges, the awarded work demonstrates a profession responding with clarity and purpose.
“These projects reflect the realities of constraint while rising above them, placing people at the centre of the design process.”
The projects, which were judged by a panel of esteemed panel of industry experts and leaders, were held up as the benchmark in contemporary design, and beacons of quality helping to shape the state’s contemporary built environment.
And they weren’t just located in metropolitan Adelaide, with projects in regional South Australia among the most regarded.
Moorundi Health Centre at Murray Bridge by Phillips/Pilkington Architects. Picture: David Sievers
Its beautiful interiors. Picture: David Sievers
Moorundi Health Centre at Murray Bridge by Phillips/Pilkington Architects won the top award for commercial architecture, with the South Australian Sports Institute by Cox Architecture picking up an award in the same category, and the CBD’s Festival Tower by JPW earned a commendation.
The Heights Technical College by Baukultur was crowned the best in education, while Adelaide’s Town Hall redevelopment by Swanbury Penglase took out the top award in the heritage category.
The Heights Technical College. Picture: Dan Trimboli.
One of the workspaces. Picture: Dan Trimboli.
The renovation of a classic bungalow – Yeo Yo by Archaea – took out the top gong for interior architecture, while Yitpi Yartapuultiku (The Soul of Port Adelaide) by Ashley Halliday Architects together with the Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal Working Group and Wax Design was recognised for public architecture.
Yitpi Yartapuultiku. Picture: Peter Bennetts
The building is at one with its surrounds: Peter Bennetts
This project also took out the top gong for both sustainable and steel architecture, while The Adelaide Aquatic Centre (Kauwingka) took home both the City of Adelaide prize for design excellence and the people’s choice in the same category.
Adelaide Aquatic Centre. Pictures: Tom Roe
Kids enjoying the space. Pictures: Tom Roe
Mr Bickmore said the juries recognised work that prioritised “reconciliation, education, restoration and wellness, alongside meaningful engagement with Country and First Nations communities”.
“A confident use of colour, and inventive form-making indicate a shift away from unnecessary excess and signals a broader movement toward doing more with less, resulting in architecture that is thoughtful, resourceful and deeply considered,” he said.
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