On April 14, 2026, the Australian architecture community descended upon the Ace Hotel Sydney for a night of celebration, storytelling, and high-stakes reveals
The 2026 Grand Designs Australia Magazine House of the Year Awards honored the visionaries who are redefining what it means to live well in the modern Australian landscape.
Hosted by the charismatic Anthony Burke, presenter of Grand Designs Australia, the evening was less about the trophies and more about the “rollercoaster” journeys architects and homeowners take to bring ambitious residential projects to life.
A Night of Meaningful Design
The event kicked off with a cinematic atmosphere, set against the warm interiors of the Ace Hotel. Beyond the awards themselves, the night featured poignant addresses that touched on the social impact of design:
- Wayne Viles (UNOX Casa) shared insights into the kitchen’s evolution as the emotional and functional heart of the home.
- Shaun Christie-David (Plate It Forward) delivered a powerful message about using hospitality to provide dignity and opportunity, a theme that resonated with a room full of people dedicated to building better communities.
The 2026 Winners of the House of the Year Awards: Leading the Way
The highlights of the evening were, of course, the announcements of the category winners. These projects stood out for their ingenuity, sustainability, and aesthetic brilliance.
Top Honours of the Night:
- Small New Home (<200m²): Amongst the Eucalypts by Jason Gibney Design Workshop (NSW). This project was hailed as a masterclass in responding to the natural bushland.
- Large New Home: Three Garden House by Parabolica (SA). A poetic design that seamlessly weaves greenery into the very core of the residence.
- Small Renovation: House in Erskineville by Architect George (NSW). An inventive urban transformation that maximizes every square inch of a tight city footprint.
- Large Renovation: Cloaked House by TRIAS Pty Ltd (NSW). A dramatic reimagining of an existing structure that provides a quiet, sophisticated silhouette.
Specialty Awards:
- Best Interior: Yarraville Peak by Weaver+Co Architects (VIC) with Lucy Marczyk Design Studio, noted for its exceptional flow and masterful use of light.
- Energy-Efficiency Award: Presented by Editor Louise Smithers, this went to Ochre House by MyMyMy Architecture (NSW), proving that high-performance, climate-conscious living can also be beautiful.
- People’s Choice Award: The public favorite was Table Top by Pleysier Perkins Architecture (NSW), which captured the hearts of readers with its family-friendly functionality and striking lines.
A Feast for the Senses
The celebration was catered by Plate It Forward, who served a vibrant menu of Sri Lankan and Afghani-inspired canapes, reflecting the multicultural spirit of Sydney. The buzz in the room was a testament to a thriving industry that continues to push the boundaries of Australian residential architecture.
For those who want a deeper dive into these spectacular homes, keep an eye out for the Grand Designs Australia Magazine flipbook, arriving in June 2026, or read more about the winners at the Grand Designs Australia Magazine website.