Award-winning architectural collaborations at the Australian Institute of Architects state awards

It is rewarding to see long running projects realised, recognised, and remain an enduring part of vibrant communities. Last month several projects we have worked on were recognised by the Australian Institute of Architects – we congratulate our talented collaborators and visionary clients.

Northern Memorial Park Depot by Searle x Waldron Architecture was lauded at the 2025 Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Awards, receiving the Victorian Architecture Medal, the Melbourne Prize, an Award for Commercial Architecture, and a commendation for Sustainable Architecture.

Designed for the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, the contemporary Northern Memorial Park Depot on Wurundjeri Country offers workers a warm and beautiful timber workplace, connected to its surrounding landscape featuring Woody Meadow planting. Over 100,000 recycled bricks create a robust base, paved perimeter path, stairs, and seating areas.

Also on Wurundjeri Country, the sculptural TarraWarra Museum of Art: Eva and Marc Besen Centre by Kerstin Thompson Architects won The William Wardell Award for Public Architecture and an Award for Interior Architecture.

At the 2025 Australian Institute of Architects NSW Awards, Moore Park Gardens was recognised with an Enduring Architecture Award. Completed in 2000, a couple of OCULUS Directors fondly recall working with AJC Architects on the 2.6-hectare former brewery site in Redfern, on Gadigal Country, Sydney. The project included a new street and publicly accessible open spaces that tie the community to its surrounds.

The newest suite of Sydney Metro City Stations, on Gameragal and Gadigal Country – including Crows Nest Station led by Woods Bagot with landscape architecture by OCULUS – received both the NSW Architecture Medallion and The Lloyd Rees Award for Urban Design.

The National Architecture Awards will be announced on Thursday 6 November 2025.