Congratulations to the winners, commendations and all entrants of the 2026 South Australia + Northern Territory Chapter Awards!

On Wednesday 21 October 2026, our learning environments community came together at Union House in Adelaide to celebrate the people, colleagues and projects making a difference to education across South Australia and the Northern Territory.

The evening began with a tour of the recently revitalised, heritage listed Union House, led by Swanbury Penglase. With new student spaces and renewed connections throughout the building, it provided a fitting setting to explore how thoughtful design can bring fresh purpose to familiar places, before gathering for the awards announcements.

This year’s entries showed the many ways learning environments can respond to the needs of their communities. From welcoming spaces for our youngest learners to facilities connecting secondary students with industry, the projects demonstrated the value of listening to students and educators, understanding place and putting learning at the centre of design.

Four projects received category awards. Warriappendi Secondary School Relocation, designed by JPE Design Studio, placed connections to Country, people and place at the heart of a culturally inclusive campus. Findon Technical College, by Brown Falconer, brought education and industry together through environments designed to prepare students for working life.

At Wilderness School Early Years Development, Grieve Gillett Architects created a warm, playful setting where curiosity, independence and belonging support the first years of learning. The outdoor learning environments at Trinity College Roseworthy Campus, by Swanbury Penglase and Mantirri Design, connected learning with landscape, ecological systems and stories of Country.

Category 4 commendations recognised Rosary School Redevelopment, by Grieve Gillett Architects, and St Philip’s College Central Australian Discovery Centre, submitted by DesignInc. These projects highlighted the opportunities that careful planning and collaboration can create: from making room for learning and outdoor play on a constrained site to shaping facilities around a school community’s educational aspirations.

We warmly thank our volunteer jury, Andrew Gehling (Jury Chair, and LEA Life Member), Neeti Puri and Stewart Caldwell, for their time, expertise and thoughtful consideration of the submissions. Our thanks also go to the South Australian Chapter organising team, everyone who joined the celebration, and every entrant who shared their work with the LEA community.

Congratulations to the educators, designers, school communities and project teams behind this year’s recognised projects. We invite you to explore the winners and commendations below and discover the ideas shaping learning across our region.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on the night and contributed to another outstanding chapter awards celebration.