Pictured: Gelato Messina Glenelg, Sans Arc Studio, Jonathan VDK
South Australia’s best new architecture has officially landed for 2026, and it’s changing the way we live, learn, work and connect across the state.
The 2026 South Australian Architecture Awards took place last night, revealing an impressive line-up of local projects. Presented by the Australian Institute of Architects, the awards celebrate the most exciting new projects across the state. This year’s winners point to a clear shift toward thoughtful, people-first design in a more complex world.
The 2026 program showcases a profession responding creatively to cost pressures, housing demand and environmental challenges, with major civic landmarks to intimate residential spaces at the forefront.
“Across South Australia, the juries recognised work that prioritises reconciliation, education, restoration and wellness, alongside meaningful engagement with Country and First Nations communities,” shared Australian Institute of Architects 2026 South Australian Architecture Awards Director, Dave Bickmore. “These projects reflect the realities of constraint while rising above them, placing people at the centre of the design process.”
Dave notes that there’s been a growing confidence in bold design choices, colour and form emerging across the state’s best work. “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.”
Yitpi Yartapuultiku, Ashley Halliday Architects, Peter Bennetts
Port Adelaide’s Yitpi Yartapuultiku (The Soul of Port Adelaide) came out as one of the standout projects of the year, taking home multiple honours including the SA Architecture Medal, Public Architecture Award and recognition for sustainable and steel architecture. The jury praised Yitpi Yartapuultiku for its thoughtful, pared-back design and strong use of materials, noting its ability to create space for storytelling, cultural connection and reflection on Country.
Other key winners included The Heights Technical College by Baukultur, which took out the Dr John Mayfield Award for Educational Architecture, and Moorundi Health Centre by Phillips/Pilkington Architects, which was recognised across commercial, interior and sustainable categories for its collaborative and culturally grounded approach.
The Heights Technical College was designed to sit naturally within its landscape, shaped through a detailed process with Kaurna Elder Uncle Tamaru, making sure of a strong connection to place throughout.
At Moorundi Health Centre in Murray Bridge, Phillips/Pilkington Architects worked closely with the Ngarrindjeri community, using co-design to shape the building around three guiding principles, Cultural and Country, Spiritual and Mind, and Physical and Body.
Moorundi, Phillips Pilkington, David Sievers
Moorundi, Phillips Pilkington, David Sievers
In residential architecture, Yeo Yo by Archaea was a standout, earning top honours for alterations and additions alongside recognition in interior architecture. Sundrift by Max Pritchard Gunner Architects claimed the major award for new homes.
The awards also celebrated enduring icons, with Adelaide High School recognised for its lasting architectural significance, and Adelaide Town Hall acknowledged for heritage excellence.
Barossa Park, DASH Architects, What Pete Shot
Across the city and regions, projects like the Adelaide Aquatic Centre (Kauwingka), Barossa Park and Gelato Messina each demonstrated the breadth of design excellence shaping South Australia’s future.
Adelaide Aquatic Centre received the City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence and stood out for its context-led style, which enhances its natural Park Lands setting while encouraging greater public visitation.
Adelaide Aquatic Centre, JPEDesign Studio, Tom Roe
Adelaide Aquatic Centre, JPEDesign Studio, Tom Roe
As for Gelato Messina Glenelg, it has established a strong identity through careful integration of interior and graphic design, materiality and art direction. And with a vibrant palette of checkered resilient floors, striped ceilings, curved neon, stained plywood and rippled stainless-steel frames, the Italo-futuristic gelato servery and the backlit orange menu, it fits in perfectly with its playful beachfront setting.
Gelato Messina Glenelg, Sans Arc Studio, Jonathan VDK
The jury panels, made up of leading architects, educators, heritage experts and industry specialists, all undertook extensive in-person assessments to determine this year’s winners.
With categories across education, public architecture, interior design, sustainability and urban development, the awards highlight South Australia’s growing reputation as a national leader in design innovation. And in 2026, South Australia’s design scene is well and truly delivering.
The 2026 South Australian Architecture Award Winners are as follows:
COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE
- The Keith Neighbour Award for Commercial Architecture
Moorundi Health Centre | Phillips/Pilkington Architects - Award for Commercial Architecture
South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) | Cox Architecture - Award for Commercial Architecture
Island Eye | Max Pritchard Gunner Architects - Commercial Architecture – Commendation
Festival Tower | JPW - Commercial Architecture – Commendation
Wattle Range Council Service Centre | Chapman Herbert Architects
EDUCATIONAL ARCHITECTURE
- The Dr John Mayfield Award for Educational Architecture
The Heights Technical College | Baukultur - Award for Educational Architecture
Tonsley Technical College and Flinders Factory of the Future | Das Studio - Award for Educational Architecture
Wilderness School, Early Years Development | Grieve Gillett Architects - Award for Educational Architecture
Seaview Downs Primary School Redevelopment | MPH Architects - Educational Architecture – Commendation
Trinity College, Roseworthy Campus | Swanbury Penglase - Educational Architecture – Commendation
Discovery Centre, Immanuel College | Swanbury Penglase
ENDURING
- The Jack Cheesman Award for Enduring Architecture
Adelaide High School | Edward B. Fitzgerald and John R. Brogan
HERITAGE
- The David Saunders Award for Heritage
Adelaide Town Hall | Swanbury Penglase - Heritage – Commendation
Thebarton Theatre Complex Redevelopment, JPE Design Studio - Heritage – Commendation
Government House State Entrance Upgrade | Hosking Willis Architecture
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
- The Robert Dickson Award for Interior Architecture
Yeo Yo | Archaea - Award for Interior Architecture
K House | Architects Ink - Award for Interior Architecture
Gelato Messina Glenelg, Sans-Arc Studio - Interior Architecture – Commendation
Moorundi Health Centre | Phillips/Pilkington Architects
PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE
- The Jack McConnell Award for Public Architecture
Yitpi Yartapuultiku (The Soul of Port Adelaide) | Ashley Halliday Architects together with the Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal Working Group and Wax Design - Award for Public Architecture
Noarlunga Hospital Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit | Wiltshire Swain Architects + GHD Design - Public Architecture – Commendation
Summit Aquatic + Leisure Centre | DesignInc - Public Architecture – Commendation
Barossa Park | DASH Architects
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – HOUSES (ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS)
- The John Schenk Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Yeo Yo | Archaea - Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Twelve Degree House | Grieve Gillett Architects - Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
City Cottage | Sans-Arc Studio - Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Corner House | Design by WBL
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – HOUSES (NEW)
- The John S Chappel Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Sundrift | Max Pritchard Gunner Architects - Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
K House | Architects Ink - Residential Architecture – Houses (New) – Commendation
Malvern House No.03 | Con Bastiras Architects
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – MULTIPLE HOUSING
- Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing – Commendation
YWCA | + Tridente Boyce
SMALL PROJECT ARCHITECTURE
- Small Project Architecture – Commendation
Reno’s | RADS
URBAN DESIGN
- Urban Design – Commendation
Port Mobilong | Mulloway Studio with Aspect Studios and Terroir
COLORBOND® AWARD FOR STEEL ARCHITECTURE
- COLORBOND Award for Steel Architecture
Yitpi Yartapuultiku (The Soul of Port Adelaide) | Ashley Halliday Architects together with the Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal Working Group and Wax Design
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
- The Derrick Kendrick Award for Sustainable Architecture
Yitpi Yartapuultiku (The Soul of Port Adelaide) | Ashley Halliday Architects together with the Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal Working Group and Wax Design - Award for Sustainable Architecture
Tonsley Technical College and Flinders Factory of the Future | Das Studio - Sustainable Architecture – Commendation
Moorundi Health Centre | Phillips/Pilkington Architects - Sustainable Architecture – Commendation
Adelaide Aquatic Centre (Kauwingka) | JPE Design Studio with Warren and Mahoney and Karl Winda Telfer
CHAPTER SPECIFIC AWARDS
- The Jack Cheesman Award for Enduring Architecture
Adelaide High School | Edward B. Fitzgerald and John R. Brogan - EmAGN Project Award
Tonsley Technical College and Flinders Factory of the Future | Das Studio - SA Architecture Medal
Yitpi Yartapuultiku (The Soul of Port Adelaide) | |Ashley Halliday Architects together with the Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal Working Group and Wax Design - City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence
Adelaide Aquatic Centre (Kauwingka) | JPE Design Studio with Warren and Mahoney and Karl Winda Telfer - City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence – Commendation
YWCA | + Tridente Boyce - Creative Collaboration Prize
Moorundi Health Centre | Phillips/Pilkington Architects in collaboration with Ngarrindjeri Elders, Mardawi Sister Weavers and Ngarrindjeri artists Jordan Lovegrove and Harley Ngrankani Hall - Creative Collaboration Prize – Commendation
Adelaide Design Week // every*where | Adelaide Design Week // every*where - City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence – People’s Choice
Adelaide Aquatic Centre (Kauwingka) | JPE Design Studio with Warren and Mahoney and Karl Winda Telfer
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