First Nations centre wins top SA prize as cost pressures bite architects
A new Indigenous cultural centre has taken out the top prize at SA’s most prestigious architecture awards, as cost pressures impact some of the state’s biggest building projects.
The architects behind Yitpi Yartapuultiku took home the prestigious SA Architecture Medal at the state’s premier architecture awards over the weekend, which saw dozens of projects recognised for their innovative design.
The Aboriginal cultural centre in Port Adelaide, designed by Ashley Halliday Architects, was described by the jury as “a standout project of masterful execution”.
“The Jury commends the purposeful, reductive design and considered materiality,” they said of the project, which also won The Jack McConnell Award for Public Architecture, the COLORBOND Award for Steel Architecture and The Derrick Kendrick Award for Sustainable Architecture.
“Warm and sheltered, yet open to the outdoors, the building embraces a whole-of-site experience, commanding a presence from all sides.
“Flexible planning and multipurpose spaces allow for gathering, exhibition, cultural activity and performance. Orchestrated view corridors, combined with material restraint and interpretive moments, invite curiosity and wandering.”
Held at the Hilton Hotel in Victoria Square on Saturday evening, the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2026 South Australian Architecture Awards saw architecture projects recognised in numerous categories covering everything from commercial to educational, heritage, interior and residential architecture.
The winning projects were selected by a panel of industry leaders and experts, who judged the entrants against criteria such as sustainability and liveability.
Studio gram director Dave Bickmore, who is also the awards director of the South Australian Architecture Awards for 2026, said the precarious economic and political climate was reflected in this year’s projects.
External pressures such as rising costs, housing pressure and global uncertainty impacted the use of materials, colour and space, he said.
“I think that with the state of the economy and construction pricing, the successful projects this year really do use material in smart ways,” he said.
This was seen in projects such as Gelato Messina Glenelg, the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre and Yeo Yo house, “a residential project that puts some whimsy and interest in key areas to create visual delight”.
Gelato Messina by Sans-Arc Studio won the Award for Interior Architecture, and Yeo Yo by Archaea Architects won the Robert Dickson Award for Interior Architecture.
While the Adelaide Aquatic Centre by JPE Design Studio received a commendation in the Sustainable Architecture category, as well as the City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence and a people’s choice award.
Designs incorporating First Nations’ knowledge also shone through in this year’s winners, including Yitpi Yartapuultiku and Moorundi Health Centre by Phillips/Pilkington Architects.
Moorundi won The Keith Neighbour Award for Commercial Architecture and the Creative Collaboration Prize, as well as a commendation for interior and sustainable architecture.
“I think we are, as architects, really conscious about designing our own country and trying, where possible, to engage with First Nations through that design process to ensure that culturally, it’s appropriate for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people,” Bickmore said.
Bickmore said Yitpi Yartapuultiku, which was awarded the prestigious SA Architecture Medal, was a standout among this year’s winners, saying “the translation of Indigenous ideas into built form is really effective”.
“It was on a pretty dilapidated piece of land, and through working with their landscape team and First Nations design partners, they’ve managed to create a building that also restores country,” he said.
In the heritage category, Swanbury Penglase’s restoration of Adelaide Town Hall won The David Saunders Award for Heritage, while JPE Design Studio received a commendation for the Thebarton Theatre redevelopment and Hosking Willis Architecture for its work on the Government House state entrance upgrade.
Asked about the importance of the awards for the architecture community, Bickmore said it was the industry’s “biggest night” in South Australia and a stepping stone towards the national awards in October.
“It’s a hard and tough vocation, and getting industry peers, people that we respect to acknowledge the work that we’re doing, I think, just gives us some reinforcement that we’re on the right path and to keep going,” he said.
“I think celebrating those successful projects gives the general public an understanding of the importance of architecture in the built environment, but also, for clients as well, it gives them a benchmark as to where projects should be heading.”
Full winners list
COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE
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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
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- 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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