Tasmania’s best architecture crowned

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Lara Maeseele’s Nebraska won the new house prize at the Tasmanian Architecture Awards 2025. Picture: Adam Gibson

Tasmania’s best new buildings have been named.

Across 17 categories, the Tasmanian Architecture Awards 2025 recognise excellence in commercial, public, educational, residential, interior and heritage architecture.

Lara Maeseele won the award for Residential Architecture Houses (New), with Nebraska on Bruny Island, with the jury calling it an “exemplary” coastal home that balances generous accommodation with an efficient footprint.

They noted the way that it, while substantial, sits comfortably in the landscape and maintains a “sense of intimacy and retreat”.

“Nebraska is a beautiful and intelligent response to a challenging brief; this home demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can enhance the experience of place,” the jury said.

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Lara Maeseele’s Nebraska. Picture: Adam Gibson

Preston Lane’s Jordan House took the prize for Residential Houses (Alterations and Additions), a light-filled addition to a heritage home.

“A deliberate separation between the addition and the original rear facade has enabled the careful reconstruction of heritage elements, offering a moment of pause to appreciate the historic dwelling in its entirety,” the jury said.

Jordan House by Preston Lane. Picture: Adam Gibson.

Two exemplary projects won the Award for Commercial Architecture: the Tolpuddle Tasting Room by Tanner Architects, and the St Lukes Building by Terroir.

The Tasting Room also took home the EmAGN Project Award, and received a commendation in the Sustainable Architecture category.

The Tolpuddle project balances architectural sophistication with agricultural authenticity.

The jury said, with precision and restraint, the design embodies timeless qualities while maintaining a high standard of craft and resolution.

“Despite a modest budget, the project achieved an exceptional outcome, demonstrating that strategic decision-making and thoughtful design can deliver remarkable results without financial excess,” they said.

The St Lukes Building by Terroir. Picture: Adam Gibson.

Tolpuddle Tasting Room by Tanner Architects. Picture: Dearna Bond.

The St Lukes Building pioneered the use of local plantation timber in mass timber construction, setting a new benchmark in sustainable commercial architecture.

The use of renewable and recyclable materials reflects the client’s strong commitment to innovation and wellbeing, ensuring that sustainability remains at the core of the design approach, the jury said.

So. Architecture’s Liz Walsh and Alex Nielsen were awarded the Emerging Architect Prize, while John Ancher received the President’s Prize.

Jury chair for the 2025 Tasmanian Architecture Awards, Sarah Lindsay. Picture: Supplied

Jury chair for the 2025 Tasmanian Architecture Awards, Sarah Lindsay, said the projects for this year’s awards sparked rich and thought-provoking conversations.

She said they touched on themes such as sustainable forestry practices, trauma-informed design, education pedagogies, and the urgent housing crisis.

“These discussions reminded us of the profound role architecture plays in shaping not just our built environment, but our collective future,” she said.

“Tasmanian architects have demonstrated how our built environment intersects with climate resilience, social inclusion, and cultural continuity.

“Across all scales and typologies, we witnessed a consistent dedication to enhancing the human experience and enriching the fabric of our communities.”

To see all of this year’s winners, visit architecture.com.au. People’s Choice is open until the end of July and voting is via the website. The event’s exhibition is currently on in Launceston until July 25.

2025 TASMANIAN ARCHITECTURE AWARDS WINNERS

COLORBOND AWARD FOR STEEL ARCHITECTURE

Commendation

● Jordan House – Preston Lane

AWARD FOR COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE

● Tolpuddle Tasting Room – Tanner Architects

● The St Lukes Building – Terroir

AWARD FOR EDUCATIONAL ARCHITECTURE

● Alma Street Childcare Centre – 1+2 Architecture

● The Shed, University of Tasmania – Wardle

AWARD FOR PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE

● Glenorchy Ambulance Station – Morrison & Breytenbach Architects

AWARD FOR HERITAGE

● Phillip Smith Centre – Lovell Chen

AWARD FOR INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE

● The Shed, University of Tasmania – Wardle

● Glenorchy Child and Family Learning Centre – Morrison & Breytenbach Architects

Commendation

● State Library and Archives for Tasmania Foyer Revitalisation – Liminal Spaces

● Dill Pickle Club – Workshop Architecture

● Isabel and Elsie: Homes Designed to Nurture Women and Children’s Wellbeing and Recovery from Homelessness – Christopher Clinton Architect with Core Collective Architects

AWARD FOR RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – HOUSES (ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS)

● Jordan House – Preston Lane

AWARD FOR RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – HOUSES (NEW)

● Nebraska – Lara Maeseele

AWARD FOR RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – MULTIPLE HOUSING

Commendation

● Allunga Road Multi – Preston Lane

AWARD FOR SMALL PROJECT ARCHITECTURE

Commendation

● Chroma Tunnel – Room 11 Architects

AWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

Commendation