The Daramalan Performing Arts Centre blends tradition and innovation. Photo: Thurston Empson.
Stewart Architecture took out the top prize at the 2025 ACT Architecture Awards with its design for the Daramalan Performing Arts Centre.
The Canberra firm won the Canberra Medallion as well as the Enrico Taglietti Award for Educational Architecture and an Award for Interior Architecture.
“This vibrant, student-oriented facility marks a bold new chapter for Daramalan College,” the jury said.
“The Daramalan Performing Arts Centre reinterprets the school’s red-brick heritage with a playful, contemporary twist.
“Stewart Architecture blends tradition and innovation, wrapping a dynamic black box theatre in animated brickwork that hints at the creativity within.
“An internal street celebrates a sense of arrival and shared experience. Skilfully planned to support all facets of performance education, the compact design accommodates front- and back-of-house functions.”
Hannah Walsh collected the Emerging and Graduate Network Project Award for her role in supporting junior members of the team to deliver the project.
Another multiple winner was BVN Architecture which won the Romaldo Giurgola Award for Public Architecture, the Derek Wrigley Award for Sustainable Architecture, the Pamille Berg Prize for Art in Architecture and a commendation for Interior Architecture, for the Canberra Hospital Expansion.
It was also the winner of he inaugural Country Centred Architectural Narratives Prize, which recognises works encompassing themes such as community, collaboration, sustainability, culture, and storytelling.
“BVN’s work presented a tangible, considered response to Country Centred narratives within a complex and layered building type.” the jury said.
“This project by BVN serves as a catalyst for the pursuit of integrating country centred narratives within architecture in the ACT.
“The Welcome Hall, the Gallery and hospital corridors with their framed views to significant elements in the surrounding landscape promote the idea of a meeting place and a place of pathways.
“The project sets a new benchmark by embedding community, culture, and care within a sustainable architectural framework.”
MYMYMY Architecture director Mark Brook received the 2025 Emerging Architect Prize for his outstanding design, leadership and advocacy, developing an award-winning body of work defined by material richness, collaboration, and craft.
MYMYMY Architecture also won awards for Interior Architecture, Residential Architecture – Houses (New), a commendation for Sustainable Architecture, and the prestigious COLORBOND Award for Steel Architecture, for Ochre House.
Nineteen projects were awarded in categories from residential renovations to significant public works. Schools, interiors and even the humble public facilities were recognised for outstanding architectural skill.
Students and professional practitioners also won honours for their individual contribution to the field of architecture in the ACT.
ACT Awards jury chair Shannon Battisson said the award winners demonstrated a focus on projects that positively influenced communities, improved quality of life and addressed pressing social issues such as accessibility, equity and inclusivity.
“The winning projects, be they amenities in a public park or a once in a generation piece of public infrastructure, all show the immense skill that exists in the architectural profession in our region,” she said.
“Good architecture can shape social experiences, encourage human connection and uplift communities in meaningful and lasting ways.
“In 2025 it was fantastic to witness deep consideration of sustainability and social connection across the nominees – a profound commitment to enhancing social outcomes through design.”
The jury: Shannon Battisson LFRAIA – Director, The Mill (Chair); Nicholas Eccles Associate RAIA – Associate, Open Principle Architects; Belinda Goh FRAIA – NSW Senior Principal, Architect Populous; Sean Hogan – Principal Architect, Typology Architecture; and Mika Utzon Popov – Artist.
The full list of winners:
Canberra Medallion
- Daramalan Performing Arts Centre, Stewart Architecture
Sir Roy Grounds Award for Enduring Architecture
- 60 Red Hill Drive, Miles Jakl and Enrico Taglietti and ACME.
Commercial Architecture
- The National Collections Building for CSIRO, Hassell, The John Andrews Award for Commercial Architecture.
- The Civic Pub (Stage 02), PELLE Architects, Award.
- 23 National Circuit, Stewart Architecture, Award.
- Capital Food Markets, Stewart Architecture, Award.
Educational Architecture
- Daramalan Performing Arts Centre, Stewart Architecture, Enrico Taglietti Award for Educational Architecture
- Canberra Grammar School Primary School Building, DJAS Architecture Pty Ltd, Commendation.
Heritage
- Australian War Memorial New Entrance and Parade Ground, Studio.SC, J.S. Murdoch Award for Heritage
Interior Architecture
- Australian War Memorial New Entrance and Parade Ground, Studio.SC, W. Hayward Morris Award for Interior Architecture.
- The National Collections Building for CSIRO, Hassell, Award
- Daramalan Performing Arts Centre, Stewart Architecture, Award.
- Lumiere, MYMYMY Architecture, Award.
- Minima, COX Architecture, Award.
- Canberra Hospital Expansion, BVN, Commendation
Public Architecture
- Canberra Hospital Expansion, BVN, Romaldo Giurgola Award for Public Architecture.
- Australian War Memorial New Entrance and Parade Ground, Studio.SC, Award.
Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
- Barton Kitchen Garden Room, Josh Mulford Architects, Gene Willsford Award for Residential Architecture — Houses (Alterations and Additions).
- Hotham, Austin Maynard Architects, Award.
Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
- Industry Terraces, JUDD.studio, Award.
- Haig Park Townhouses, DNA Architects, Commendation.
Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
- Ochre House, MYMYMY Architecture, Award.
- Calvert, Design Foundry, Commendation.
Small Project Architecture
- Denman Village Park Amenities, Carter Williamson Architects, Cynthia Breheny Award for Small Project Architecture.
Sustainability
- Canberra Hospital Expansion, BVN, Derek Wrigley Award for Sustainable Architecture.
- Ochre House, MYMYMY Architecture, Commendation.
Urban Design
- Scotts Crossing, Buchan and Mather Architecture, Award.
COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture
- Ochre House, MYMYMY Architecture, COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture.
Country Centred
- Canberra Hospital Expansion, BVN, Country Centred Architectural Narratives Prize.
Art in Architecture
- Canberra Hospital Expansion, BVN, Pamille Berg Award for Art in Architecture.
Light in Architecture
- Australian War Memorial New Entrance and Parade Ground, Studio.SC, Robert Foster Award for Light in Architecture.
Social Impact Prize
- Denman Village Park Amenities, Carter Williamson Architects, Social Impact Prize.
EmAGN Project
- Engaging Emerging And Graduate Network architects, Daramalan Performing Arts Centre, Stewart Architecture, EmAGN Project Award.
John Redmond Prize
- Highest GPA – 3yr undergrad program, William Leeson, University of Canberra.
Architecture Graduate Prize
- Highest GPA – 2yr masters program, Jonathan Le Chung, University of Canberra, Architecture Graduate Prize.
Student Medallion
Highest GPA – 5yrs, Erin Rogers, University of Canberra, ACT Chapter Student Medallion.
Clem Cummings Medal
- Professor Gevork Hartoonian and Professor Stephen Frith (in memoriam).
Emerging Architect Prize
- Mark Brook, MYMYMY Architecture.
Professional Practitioner Award
- Yuri Leong Maish.
President’s Medal
- Obelia Tait.
