Entries are now open for the 2025 ArchitectureAu Award for Social Impact, a program that recognises the profoundly transformative impact that built works can have on the communities that occupy them.
The award criteria focuses on demonstrable social benefit, and the quality and originality of the design thinking that delivered it. Eligible projects may relate to social cohesion, racial justice, inclusive housing, accessibility, equity, social sustainability or other areas where design can make a difference to society.
Wangaratta District Specialist School by Sibling Architecture won the 2024 Award for Social Impact, praised by the jury for being “[…] an exemplar of spatial and tactile design for numerous learning (or even workplace) environments across the country.” The inaugural 2023 program saw joint projects being awarded: The Fulcrum Agency and Kaunitz Yeung Architecture for the Groote Archipelago Housing Programme and Puntukurnu AMS Healthcare Hub, respectively.
The 2025 jury comprises Helen Barrie of the University of South Australia; Amelia Borg of Sibling Architecture; architect and researcher Shaneen Fantin; Philip Thalis of Hill Thalis Architecture and Urban Projects; and Katelin Butler, the editorial director of Architecture Media. Rory Hyde of the Melbourne School of Design is the jury convener.
Hyde mentioned that architecture has always, at its core, been about social impact, “yet this aspect of architecture is too often overshadowed by the aesthetic and the visual.” He added that the ArchitectureAu Award for Social Impact is “a way to recognise and celebrate the outstanding projects that make a difference to the public, to local communities and underrepresented groups.”
Entries close 7 March 2025 and entered projects must be completed (built). A cash prize of $5,000 is offered to the winning recipient. See previous winning and commended projects here and entry requirements here.
The ArchitectureAu Award for Social Impact is organised by Architecture Media, and supported by presenting partner Melbourne School of Design, and supporting partners Latitude Group and Pepto Lab.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
