Awards

The 2025 Learning Environments Australasia Design (LEAD) Awards are open for registrations from Friday 1 November  2024 – COB Friday 7 February 2025.

We invite all members to consider all the reasons for entering your learning spaces into the program that celebrates excellence in learning environments. Also known as LEA’s “regional awards”.

Also known as LEA’s “regional” awards, members from across Australasia can enter new or renovated learning spaces, as well as innovative programs or outdoor environments which enhance learning experiences.

Learning environments may be early learning centres, kindergartens, primary schools, high schools, specialised schools or universities, TAFEs OR any combinations of these.

There are eight categories for the awards:

• Category 1: An Innovative Education Initiative
• Category 2: New Campus with Educational Facilities
• Category 3: New Building/s or Facility/s – Large (over AUD $10 million)
• Category 4: New Building/s or Facility/s – Small (less than AUD $10 million)
• Category 5: Modernisation/Renovation – Large (over AUD $5 Million)
• Category 6: Modernisation/Renovation – Small (less than AUD $5 Million)
• Category 7: Small Project Under AUD $2 Million
• Category 8: Landscaping/Outdoor Learning Area

The winners of the 2025 LEAD Awards will be announced at the 2025 Annual Regional Conference Awards Dinner on Thursday 8 May 2025 in Brisbane | Meanjin.

The 2024 Chapter Awards are now closed

These prestigious awards celebrate excellence in learning environments across our various chapters, and we were delighted with the high calibre of innovative and inspiring projects and entries from our members.

Thank you for your submissions! We look forward to announcing the winners at the upcoming Chapter Awards Announcement & Presentation events!

Awards Announcement & Presentation Events

• South Australia & Northern Territory – Thursday 24 October 2024
• Victoria & Tasmania Chapters – Thursday 14 November 2024
• New Zealand Chapter – Wednesday 20 November 2024
• Queensland Chapter – Wednesday 4 December 2024 (TBC)

View the Education Today media article

Congratulations to the 2024 Learning Environment Australasia Design (LEAD) Awards winners, commendations and entries!

Our LEAD Awards program is where we celebrate the synergy between pedagogy and the physical learning environment. This annual event serves as a testament to the profound impact that collaborative efforts between educators and architects have on both our students and their learning environments.

As we delve into this year’s entries and winners, it is evident that the depth of expertise and commitment across Australasia is truly remarkable. Learning Environments Australasia, the peak body advocating for innovative learning environments throughout Australasia, is dedicated to fostering deliberate practices grounded in research, intertwined with pedagogical principles and reflective of local contexts.

The spirit of innovation, embodied by intentional collaboration and a willingness to push boundaries, underscores the essence of communal learning, resulting in outcomes that are not only impactful and inclusive but also profound.

We invite you to explore the outstanding projects honoured in this year’s awards, spanning diverse typologies from performing arts and STEM projects to inspiring refurbishments achieved on modest budgets. Each project offers a unique perspective on how our collective efforts can shape environments that seamlessly blend learning with space.

The winners and commendations of the 2024 LEAD Awards were unveiled on Thursday 17 May 2024, during the Awards Dinner presentation as part of the 2024 LEA Annual Conference: AMPLIFY, held in Melbourne, Victoria.

Throughout recent months, we’ve offered glimpses of these exceptional entries on our social media platforms. Additionally, during the conference, delegates have had the opportunity to view posters showcasing the award entries in the foyer. Now, all entries are accessible for viewing in the 2024 LEAD Awards Gallery.

The 2024 Contemporary Learning Spaces Publication is available for purchase via our store.

Learning Environments Australasia’s Regional Awards celebrate our members’ projects that demonstrate effectiveness in the planning, design and construction of educational facilities across the region.

The first Regional Awards were held in Melbourne in 2008 and were followed with even greater interest in 2010. An Award presentation ceremony and exhibition of all entries is held in conjunction with the Regional Conference each year. The event has grown in size and strength and now a number of our chapters hold Awards programs each year.

The core mission of the awards is to bridge the awareness of architects and school communities about the interplay between teaching and learning methodology and space by identifying examples of good educational spaces where innovative architectural ideas successfully support an educational philosophy.

The Awards Program not only reflects our focus on the design and use of engaging and innovative learning spaces and programs, but also supports the questioning and challenging of our current practices, to ensure the continual improvement and excellence we strive for.