Across the Australian Institute of Architects’ state and international chapters, eight early-career practitioners have been named winners of the 2026 Emerging Architect Prize. The award recognises each recipient’s contribution to architectural practice, education, design excellence and community involvement, resulting in the advancement of the profession’s role in the public arena.
This year’s winners include:
ACT chapter – Tynan Freeman, Stewart Architecture
Winning the 2026 ACT Emerging Architect Prize, Tynan Freeman has been recognised by the jury for his “deep commitment to architecture through design excellence, leadership, and community contribution.” His work spans all scales of residential, from multi-unit projects to medium-density design and apartment renovations. As ACT chapter councillor and chair of the Housing Quality and Choice Taskforce, Freeman advocates for the advancement of housing as a vital architectural and civic concern. He has also been shortlisted for his entries in various competitions, and has contributed to awards juries, conferences and architectural education at the University of Canberra.
International chapter – Hayden Federico, The Buchan Group
Leading Buchan’s Dubai studio as an associate, Hayden Federico has been awarded the 2026 International Emerging Architect Prize for his “combination of design rigour, strategic insight and professional maturity” in delivering high-quality outcomes on complex projects while “navigating new cultural, professional and environmental contexts,” the jury said. As co-chair of the Institute’s Victorian chapter, Federico has been engaged in advocacy and mentorship of other emerging practitioners.
New South Wales – Simon Rochowski, Studio Plus Three
Founding director of Studio Plus Three, Simon Rochowski has been recognised as this year’s New South Wales Emerging Architect Prize winner for his work, which “demonstrate[s] refined material intelligence and a consistent pursuit of design excellence recognised through numerous national and international awards,” the jury commented. Rochowski is an elected NSW chapter councillor. He has also served on the chapter’s practice, education and built environment committees, co-chaired the Small Practice Forum, and mentored emerging practitioners through the Emerging Architects and Graduates Network (EMAGN), the Student Organised Network of Architecture (SONA) Super Studio and the Mentorloop program.
Queensland chapter – Dominika Richards, Deicke Richards Architects
Dominika Richards is the 2026 Queensland Emerging Architects Prize recipient, recognised by the jury for her “significant contributions to architectural practice, education, and advocacy, and for her contribution to sustainable, community-focussed project outcomes.” She is a member of the Institute’s Queensland Climate and Sustainability Action Group, Architecture Climate Action Network Australia and Architects Declare. At Deicke Richards Architects, she established a Sustainability Action Plan and is dedicated to work that serves communities, such as flexible training facilities and affordable housing projects.
South Australian chapter – Jasmine Placentino, Parabolica
Winner of the 2026 South Australian Emerging Architect Prize, director of Parabolica Jasmine Placentino has been distinguished by the jury for her “rigorous, generous and finely-tuned material approach to design” along with “her commitment to intentional, contextually grounded and civic-minded architecture.” Co-chair of EMAGN SA, Placentino has served as a juror for the Institute’s awards and as a national mentor for emerging practitioners. Her advocacy work includes leadership of the Preserve the Pavilion campaign for Tadao Ando’s MPavilion.
Tasmanian chapter – Guy Edwards, BE Architects
Guy Edwards has been named as this year’s Tasmanian Emerging Architect Prize recipient. The jury commented that “he consistently advocates for architecture’s capacity to improve our built environment and has demonstrated an ability to integrate diverse stages of the architectural process across a wide range of projects, resulting in outcomes that are contextual, responsive, and socially aware.” Edwards is a Tasmanian chapter councillor and member of the Significant Architecture Task Group, and is also involved in state housing policy and local authority medium-density design guidelines.
Victorian chapter – Madeline Sewall, Up to Something
Winning the 2026 Victorian Emerging Architect Prize, Madeline Sewall has shown “significant contribution to architectural practice, public advocacy and sustainability leadership,” according to the jury. As a director at Breathe, Sewall’s work included projects such as Nightingale Village, “illustrating her commitment to sustainable architecture and accessible housing models.” Through podcasts, national television programs, online resources and accessible public talks, she has endeavoured to make sustainable design accessible to a broader audience. Her “Breathe In” initiative seeks to provide free sustainability advice to the public in exchange for donations to First Nations organisations, embodying her values-driven approach and commitment to broadening access to architectural expertise.
Western Australian chapter – Mike Sneyd, EKD Architects
Founding director of EKD Architects, Broome-based architect Mike Sneyd has been named this year’s Western Australian Emerging Architect Prize winner for his “exceptional contribution to architectural practice, education, design excellence and community engagement,” the jury has said. Sneyd’s portfolio includes the first 8-star energy-efficient elevated house in northern Australia, along with adaptive reuse initiatives that champion low-carbon outcomes. A WA chapter councillor and member of various Institute panels, he has also shown commitment to education by mentoring staff through registration and hosting work experience programs.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
