Residential winners revealed: 2026 NSW Regional Architecture Awards

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