Architects from Alice Springs have claimed the spotlight at the 2026 Northern Territory Architecture Awards, reinforcing Central Australia's reputation for producing some of the country's most innovative regional architecture.
The biggest success story of the awards was Susan Dugdale and Associates, whose Congress Mparntwe Health Hub on Todd Street received five awards after impressing judges with its environmentally sustainable design and strong focus on community wellbeing. The recognition made the Alice Springs-based practice one of the most celebrated firms at this year's ceremony, held at the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens.
Completed in April 2026, the Congress Mparntwe Health Hub is a two-storey facility designed to accommodate around 175 staff. The building features two wings connected by a glass-walled atrium overlooking landscaped courtyards, creating natural gathering spaces that encourage collaboration and improve the experience of patients, staff and visitors. Cultural advisers were involved throughout the design process to ensure the building reflected the needs and values of the local Aboriginal community.
The health hub also became Central Australia's first building to achieve a 6-Star Green Star rating, recognising its outstanding environmental performance and sustainable design. Judges praised the project for combining functionality with climate-responsive architecture suited to the harsh desert environment.
Several other Alice Springs projects were recognised during the awards, including St Philip's College – Central Australian Discovery Centre, Apmere Mwerre, and Good Place, highlighting the depth of architectural talent emerging from the region. Projects outside Alice Springs, including the Visitor Park Accommodation development and the Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre, also received honours across various categories.
Chair of the awards jury, Katherine Ashe, said the judging panel was impressed by the quality, durability and creativity of this year's winning projects. She noted that the three major award-winning projects were all located in Alice Springs, demonstrating that architects working in remote Australia continue to deliver buildings that exceed client expectations despite the logistical challenges of construction in regional areas. Judges also praised the way the projects embraced the colours, textures and natural character of Central Australia's desert landscape.
The annual Northern Territory Architecture Awards, presented by the Australian Institute of Architects, recognise excellence in design across residential, commercial, educational, public and community buildings. Winning projects will now progress to the National Architecture Awards, where they will compete against leading architectural projects from across Australia.
The strong performance by Alice Springs firms highlights the growing influence of regional architecture in Australia, demonstrating how thoughtful, climate-responsive and culturally informed design can create buildings that serve communities while setting new standards for sustainability and innovation.
