Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design
| Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design | |
|---|---|
 1991 Award for Darling Harbour Fountain by Robert Woodward | |
| Awarded for | Urban design |
| Country | Australia |
| Presented by | Australian Institute of Architects |
| First award | 1988 |
| Currently held by | Sydney Metro city stations, 2025 |
The Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design is the annual named award for excellence in urban design in Australia as adjudicated and presented by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) at their national awards.
Background
Definition of the award
According to the Australian Institute of Architects Policy No.13 on awards, prizes and honours, Category 9: Urban Design, projects in this category may be 'single structures, groups of structures or non-building projects, studies or masterplans, which are of public, civic or urban design in nature. Awarded projects must have enhanced the quality of the built environment or public domain or contribute to the wellbeing of the broader community.' In addition to the named award, the jury also can present National Awards for Urban Design and National Commendations for Urban Design.[1]
Naming of the award
The award is named after United States born architect and landscape architect Walter Burley Griffin (1876–1937), designer of Australia's capital, Canberra. Soon after winning the design competition for Canberra he and his wife Marion Mahony Griffin established an influential design practice based in Australia from around 1914 to 1935.
Change from civic design to urban design
The national award was initially established by the RAIA as the Civic Design Award in 1988 and then named as the Walter Burley Griffin Award for Civic Design Award in 1990 and given annually through to 2002. In 2003 the award subject was changed from 'Civic Design' to 'Urban Design' to reflect changes in the architectural profession and the rise of 'urban design' as a specialisation and the more common terminology for architectural and city making projects of larger scale and community or public benefit.
Earlier awards for civic design
In 1959 the Civic Trust Awards were established in the United Kingdom as an awards system to recognise outstanding planning, urban design and architecture.[2] In 1967 the Civic Trust of South Australia was established based on the UK Civic Trust Awards, and is now known as the Australian Civic Trust and although still a registered incorporated association in 2025 it has not been active since 2019.[3][4]
In 1964 Robert Woodward was presented with the inaugural RAIA NSW Chapter Civic Design Award for the El Alamein Fountain in Kings Cross, Sydney.[5] In 1967 Harry Seidler was presented with an RAIA Civic Design Award for Australia Square.[6]In 1979 the NSW Chapter of the Institute of Architects named the state–based award as the Lloyd Rees Award for Civic Design.[7] In 1980 Jørn Utzon was presented with a RAIA Civic Design Award for the Sydney Opera House.
State based awards for urban design
The Australian Institute of Architects national awards jury selects a national winner each year from a shortlist made of up to eight selected state and territory urban design awards from AIA local chapter awards including;
- Australian Capital Territory: Sir John Overall Award for Urban Design
- New South Wales: Lloyd Rees Award for Urban Design (started 1964, named 1979)
- Northern Territory: George Goyder Award for Urban Design
- Queensland: Karl Langer Award for Urban Design
- South Australia: Gavin Walkley Award for Urban Design
- Tasmania: Dirk Bolt Award for Urban Design (started 2019)
- Victoria: Joseph Reed Award for Urban Design (named 1997)
- Western Australia: John Septimus Roe Award for Urban Design
Recipients of state–based awards (including commendatations) are then eligible for consideration for the Named Award, Architecture Award and Commendations for Urban Design presented later in the same year, as part of the national architecture awards. On some occasions state commendations have won the named Walter Burley Griffin Award.
Recipients of Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design
| Year | Architect | Project | Location | State | Type | Other AIA awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Sydney Metro[8] (multiple architects, artists and designers) | Sydney Metro City Stations | City Line Stations (Sydenham, Waterloo, Central, Gadigal, Martin Place, Barangaroo, Victoria Cross, Crows Nest) | New South Wales | Transport |
|
| 2024 | Grimshaw and Andrew Burges Architects with McGregor Coxall | Parramatta Aquatic Centre [11] | 7A Park Parade, Parramatta | New South Wales | Recreation |
|
| 2023 | Lyons with Koning Eizenberg Architecture, NMBW Architecture Studio, Greenaway Architects, Architects EAT, Aspect Studios and Glas Urban | University of Melbourne Student Precinct | University of Melbourne, Carlton | Victoria | Education |
|
| 2022 | SJB, Silvester Fuller, Studio Bright, Carter Williamson, Lippmann Partnership and Aspect Studios | Quay Quarter Lanes | Circular Quay, Sydney | New South Wales | Mixed Use |
|
| 2021 | Lahznimmo Architects and Aspect Studios | Sub Base Platypus (Stage 1)[14] | 120 High Street, North Sydney | New South Wales | Heritage |
|
| 2020 | Hassell in collaboration with Turpin Crawford Studio and McGregor Westlake Architecture | Metro Northwest[16] | Sydney | New South Wales | Transport |
|
| 2019 | Chrofi with McGregor Coxall | Maitland Riverlink[18][19] | 396 High Street, Maitland | New South Wales | Cultural |
|
| 2018 | Hassell and Populous | Darling Harbour Renewal[21] | Darling Harbour | New South Wales | Cultural |
|
| 2017 | FJMT | Frank Bartlett Library and Moe Service Centre[22] | 29 George Street, Moe | Victoria | Cultural |
|
| 2016 | Lahznimmo Architecture | Bowen Place Crossing[23] | Bowen Place, Canberra | ACT | Public Space |
|
| 2015 | Fender Katsalidis Architects | NewActon Precinct[24] | Acton, Canberra | ACT | Mixed Use |
|
| 2014 | Neeson Murcutt Architects in Association with City of Sydney | Prince Alfred Park and Pool Upgrade[25][26] | Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills | New South Wales | Recreation |
|
| 2013 | BKK Architects/TCL Partnership | Revitalising Central Dandenong, Lonsdale Street Redevelopment[28] | Lonsdale Street, Dandenong | Victoria | Public Space |
|
| 2012 | Peter Elliott Architecture and Urban Design[29] | University Lawn Precinct, RMIT University[30] | 377 Russell Street, Melbourne | Victoria | Public Space |
|
| 2011 | Hassell | one40william[32] | 140 William Street, Perth | Western Australia | Commercial |
|
| 2010 | Hill Thalis Architecture and Urban Projects, Aspect Studios, CAB[34] | Pirrama Park, Pyrmont[35] | Pirrama Road, Pyrmont | New South Wales | Public Space |
|
| 2009 | Hargreaves Associates, Lahznimmo Architects and Lacoste+Stevenson Architects | Armory Wharf Precinct | 1 Jamieson Street, Newington Armory, Sydney Olympic Park | New South Wales | Public Space |
|
| 2008 | Rice Daubney, Allen Jack and Cottier and Group GSA in association with Civitas Urban Design and Planning | Rouse Hill Town Centre | Main Street, Rouse Hill | New South Wales | Town Centre |
|
| 2007 | Grimshaw Jackson Joint Venture | Southern Cross Station[36] | Spencer Street, Melbourne | Victoria | Transport | |
| 2006 | Ashton Raggatt McDougall | Melbourne Central Redevelopment | Spencer Street, Melbourne | Victoria | Mixed Use |
|
| 2005 | HPA, PTW, Tropman and Tropman, Bates Smart, Clive Lucas Stapleton and Partners | Walsh Bay Redevelopment | Hickson Road, Millers Point | New South Wales | Mixed Use |
|
| 2004 | Ashton Raggatt McDougall | Shrine of Remembrance Visitor Centre and Garden Courtyard | Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne | Victoria | Cultural |
|
| 2004 | City of Melbourne in association with Taylor Cullity Lethlean (Landscape), Paul Thompson (Planting) and Swaney Draper (Bridges and Federation Bells) | Birrarung Marr, Melbourne | Flinders Walk, Yarra River, Melbourne | Victoria | Public Space |
|
| 2003 | Lab Architecture Studio in association with Bates Smart | Federation Square | Flinders Street, Melbourne | Victoria | Cultural |
|
| 2002 | Gregory Burgess | Sidney Myer Music Bowl Refurbishment | Birdwood Avenue, Kings Domain | Victoria | Cultural |
|
| 2001 | University of South Australia (Chris Landorf and David Manfredi) | Line of Lode Miner’s Memorial & Visitors Centre[38] | Federation Way, Broken Hill | New South Wales | Cultural |
|
| 2000 | Peter Elliott Architecture and Urban Design in association with City Projects Division, City of Melbourne | RMIT University, Urban Spaces Project (Stage One) | RMIT University, Melbourne | Victoria | Public Space |
|
| 1999 | No Award | |||||
| 1998 | Wood Marsh Architecture/Pels Innes Neilson Kosloff | Eastern Freeway M3 Extension (Stage 3) Sound Barriers | Eastern Freeway, Doncaster, Melbourne | Victoria | Transport |
|
| 1997 | Denton Corker Marshall | Pyrmont Bay Park, Stage 2[41] | Pyrmont Point, Sydney | New South Wales | Public Space |
|
| 1996 | Project Services, Queensland Spence Jamieson, Alastair Baker | Cliffs Boardwalk Stage 2[43] | Kangaroo Point foreshore, Brisbane River, Brisbane | Queensland | Public Space | |
| 1995 | Edmond and Corrigan in association with The Demaine Partnership | RMIT Building 8 | 383 Swanston Street, Melbourne | Victoria | Education |
|
| 1994 | Tonkin Zulaikha Harford Architects (joint winner) | The Rocks Square | The Rocks, Sydney | New South Wales | Public Building |
|
| 1994 | Williams and Boag Architects (joint winner) | Tyne Street Redevelopment | Tyne Street, Carlton, Melbourne | Victoria | Residential |
|
| 1993 | Cooks Carmichael Whitford in association with VicRoads | Bell—Banksia Street Freeway Link | Heidelberg, Melbourne | Victoria | Transport | |
| 1992 | Melbourne City Council, Urban Design Branch (Rob Adams) | Urban Design of City of Melbourne | Melbourne CBD | Victoria | Urban Design | |
| 1991 | Robert Woodward | Fountain at Darling Harbour titled 'Tidal Cascade' | Darling Harbour, Sydney | New South Wales | Public Space |
|
| 1990 | Cocks Carmichael Whitford | Yarra Footbridge, Southbank (now Evan Walker Bridge) | Yarra River, Southbank, Melbourne | Victoria | Public Space | |
| 1989 | No Award | |||||
| 1988 | NSW Public Works Department, Architectural Division with Allen Jack and Cottier, Conybeare Morrison and Partners, Hall Bowe and Webber, and Lawrence Nield and Partners | Circular Quay and Macquarie Street Redevelopment for the Australian Bicentenary 1988 | Macquarie Street, Sydney | New South Wales | Public Space | |
Distribution of Awards
From 1988 to 2025 almost 90% of awards presented (34 of 38) were located in Victoria and New South Wales.
Awards by Australian state or territory, 1988—2024, by location of project (total 38 awards)
- Victoria (17 Awards) (44.7%)
- New South Wales (17 Awards) (44.7%)
- Queensland (2.60%)
- Tasmania (0.00%)
- Western Australia (2.60%)
- Northern Territory (0.00%)
- South Australia (0.00%)
- Australian Capital Territory (5.30%)
See also
References
- ↑ "Policy 13 Awards, Prizes and Honours" (PDF). Australian Institute of Architects. March 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ↑ "Special Awards". Civic Trust Awards. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ↑ "Incorporated Associations Search: A3514 AUSTRALIAN CIVIC TRUST INCORPORATED". Consumer and Business Services sa.gov.ay. 11 August 2025. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ↑ "Nominate Australia's best (and worst) built projects for the 2018 Civic Trust Awards". Architecture AU. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ↑ "El Alamein Fountain". City of Sydney Archives. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ↑ Hunn, Patrick (8 May 2017). "Seidler's Australia Square celebrates 50th anniversary". Architecture AU. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ↑ "Lloyd Rees Award for Urban Design". Australian Institute of Architects. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ↑ "2025 Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design". Architecture AU. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ↑ "Sydney Metro wins top prize at 2025 NSW Architecture Awards". Architecture & Design. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ↑ Burke, Kelly (20 June 2025). "'Legacy-making' Sydney metro stations take out top prize in NSW Architecture awards". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ "2024 Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design". Architecture AU. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ↑ "2024 NSW Architecture Awards". Architecture AU. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ↑ "Winners revealed: 2023 National Architecture Awards". Australian Institute of Architects. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ↑ "The winners of the 40th National Architecture Awards". Architecture AU. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ↑ "2021 NSW Architecture Awards Winners". Australian Institute of Architects. June 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ↑ "'Above and beyond': The winners of the 2020 National Architecture Awards". Australian Institute of Architects. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ↑ "2020 NSW Architecture Awards Winners". Architecture AU. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ↑ "2019 National Architecture Award Winners". Australian Institute of Architects. November 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ↑ "2019 National Architecture Awards: The Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design". Architecture AU. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ↑ "2019 NSW Architecture Awards". Architecture AU. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ↑ "2018 National Architecture Awards: The Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design". Architecture AU. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ↑ "2017 National Architecture Awards: Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design". Architecture AU. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ↑ "2016 National Architecture Awards: Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design". Architecture AU. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ↑ "2015 National Architecture Awards: Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design". Architecture AU. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "2014 National Architecture Awards". Architecture AU. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "2014 National Architecture Awards: Walter Burley Griffin Award". Architecture AU. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "2014 NSW Architecture Awards". Architecture AU. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "2013 National Architecture Awards: Walter Burley Griffin Award". Architecture AU. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "RMIT University Lawn Precinct". Peter Elliott. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "2012 National Architecture Awards: Walter Burley Griffin Award". Architecture AU. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "2012 Victorian Architecture Awards Winners". Architecture AU. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "How one40william shaped Perth's skyline and the future of our sustainable urban developments". Hassell. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "2011 Western Australian Architecture Awards". Architecture AU. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "Pirrama Park, Pyrmont". Architecture AU. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Winners of the 2010 Australian National Architecture Awards". Bustler.net. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ "Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design". Architecture AU. 1 November 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "Full awards list". The Sydney Morning Herald. 18 June 2005. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ Wigg, Carolyn (1 September 2001). "Line of Lode". Architecture AU. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "State Awards 2001". Architecture AU. 1 September 2001. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "RMIT University Urban Spaces Foundation Project". Peter Elliott. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "Walter Burley Griffith Award for Urban Design, Pyrmont Bay Park". Architecture Australia. 1 November 1997. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ↑ "1997 RAIA State Awards". Architecture Australia. 1 September 1997. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ↑ "Walter Burley Griffin Award, The Cliffs Boardwalk (stage 2) by Project Services (Queensland) for Civic Design". Architecture Australia. 1 November 1996. Retrieved 1 August 2025.