New South Wales Enduring Architecture Award
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 since 2003. The award recognises existing buildings older than 25 years since construction. The average age of the 23 awarded projects to date is 44.5 years.
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.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 the state–based award are then 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 2023 ten of the 21 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, Paulo Macchia and Leone Lorrimer. 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.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 with architects Helen Lochhead and Peter McGregor.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
| Year | Architect | Project | Location | Year Built | Years Since | Other AIA/RAIA Awards |
| 2025 | AJC Architects | Moore Park Gardens | 780 Bourke Street, Redfern | 2000 | 25 years |
|
| 2024 | Bill and Ruth Lucas | The Glass House | 80 The Bulwark, Castlecrag | 1957 | 66 years | |
| 2023 | Hassell | Olympic Park Station | Sydney Olympic Park | 1998 | 25 years |
|
| 2022 | Ken Woolley | Woolley House | 34 Bullecourt Avenue, Mosman | 1962 | 60 years | |
| 2021 | Bates, Smart & McCutcheon | MLC Building | 105–153 Miller Street, North Sydney | 1957 | 64 years | |
| 2020 | Richard Leplastrier | Palm Garden House | Bilgola Beach | 1984 | 36 years | |
| 2019 | Edward Raht | 350 George Street | 350 George Street, Sydney | 1895 | 124 years | |
| 2018 | Tao Gofers, NSW Department of Housing with Alexander and Lloyd Architects | Sirius Building | 38–70 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney | 1980 | 38 years | |
| 2017 | Aaron M Bolot | 17 Wylde Street Apartments | 17 Wylde Street, Potts Point | 1951 | 66 years | |
| 2016 | John James & Associates | Reader’s Digest Building | Waterloo Street, Surry Hills | 1967 | 49 years | |
| 2015 | Hugh Buhrich | Buhrich House II | 375 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag | 1972 | 43 years | |
| 2014 | Ian McKay and Philip Cox Architects in Association | Tocal College | 815 Tocal Road, Paterson | 1963 | 51 years | |
| 2013 | Peddle Thorp & Walker | AMP Building | 33 Alfred Street, Sydney | 1962 | 51 years | |
| 2012 | Harry Seidler | Australia Square | 264 George Street, Sydney | 1967 | 45 years | |
| 2011 | Glenn Murcutt | Magney House | Bingie Point | 1980 | 31 years | |
| 2010 | Harry Seidler | Glen Street Offices' | 2 Glen Street, Milsons Point | 1973 | 37 years | |
| 2009 | Bruce Rickard | Curry House 2 | Bayview, Sydney | 1982 | 27 years | |
| 2008 | Vivian Fraser in Association with NSW Government Architect | Wharf Theatre | Walsh Bay | 1985 | 23 years | |
| 2007 | E.H. Farmer and Andrew Andersons | First Extension to the Art Gallery of New South Wales | Art Gallery of NSW | 1972 | 35 years | |
| 2006 | Peter Hall | Concert Hall & Opera Theatre of the Sydney Opera House | Sydney | 1973 | 33 years | |
| 2005 | J.W. ThomsonDavid Turner Allen Jack+Cottier Bruce Mackenzie | Kuring-gai College of Advanced Education | 100 Eton Road, Lindfield | 1972 | 35 years |
|
| 2004 | Glenn Murcutt | Kempsey Farmhouse | Kempsey | 1974 | 30 years | |
| 2003 | Jørn Utzon | Sydney Opera House | Sydney | 1973 | 30 years |