The Lands by Capella, designed by Hassell in collaboration with Purcell Architecture, has taken out this year’s highest honour in the Architecture category of the thirty-second National Trust (New South Wales) Heritage Awards – an annual celebration of excellence concerning the conservation of Aboriginal, built, natural and cultural heritage across the state.
According to a communique, the project was awarded “for its ability to sensitively restore and revitalise one of Sydney’s most significant heritage buildings, while introducing a contemporary hospitality and lifestyle offering that reconnects the landmark with the public and the evolving city around it.”
Jury chair Matthew Devine described The Lands by Capella as “an ambitious project that skilfully navigated considerable complexity to successfully re-energise a landmark Sydney building.”
A total of 20 winners were recognised across nine project categories, four individual awards, a President’s Prize, the Judges’ Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award.
“We’re always impressed by the level of talent and passion on display across the state” said National Trust (NSW) chief executive officer Debbie Mills. “This year’s winners … [demonstrate] an impressive breadth of projects that set the standard for heritage conservation across NSW’s diverse regions.”
Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe commended the winners for their exceptional work in protecting and showcasing NSW’s heritage, highlighting that “these projects are vital to ensuring our unique places and stories are recognised, valued and preserved for generations to come.”
Devine was joined on the jury by Barrina South, David Burdon, Ingrid Mather, Julie Baird, Stirling Smith, Tamsin McIntosh, and 2025’s Young Achiever recipient, Steven Barry.
The winners include:
Architecture
The Lands by Capella, Sydney – entered by Hassell in collaboration with Purcell Architecture
Built Conservation
Small
GSDA Dwelling No.1 Recovery, Castlecrag – entered by Hector Abrahams Architects
Large
Town Hall House Remediation, Sydney – entered by Urbis and City of Sydney
Interiors and Objects
Interiors
Entertainment Hall White Bay, Rozelle – entered by Dunn Hillam Architecture and Urban Design
Objects
Grand Dining Room Renovation, Katoomba – entered by The Carrington Hotel
Landscape
Restoration of the Sandhills Wetlands, Byron Bay – entered by Byron Shire Council
Judges’ Choice
Pyrmont Community Centre – entered by Welsh and Major in association with The City of Sydney
President’s Prize
Coolamon Hotel Redevelopment – entered by GPG Architecture
People’s Choice
Grand Dining Room Renovation, Katoomba – entered by The Carrington Hotel
See the full list of winners of the 2026 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards on the National Trust’s website.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
