The Blacket Prize for Regional Architecture is an award presented annually at the New South Wales Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects awards for a building project considered to be the most exemplary of the year, located outside of the Sydney metropolitan area.
Background Originally named the Blacket Award when it was initiated in 1964, the name was adjusted in 1984 to become the Blacket Prize for Regional Architecture. Projects eligible for entry in the New South Wales Regional Architecture Awards are entered in to the Blacket Prize for consideration. The award is presented at the annual NSW Architecture Awards. Prior to the Blacket Award, the first regional project to be recognised was the Newcastle Incinerator, winning the 1938 Sir John Sulman Medal.
Naming The award is named for English born architect Edmund Blacket (1817–1883) who rose to become the Colonial Architect of New South Wales (1849–1854) and later architect for University of Sydney. Whilst Colonial Architect he delivered many projects in regional NSW, including a lighthouse and numerous churches.
Multiple awards
The NSW Government Architect Office has won the Blacket Prize on seven occasions (1964, 1968, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2002 and 2015). The firm of Allen, Jack and Cottier has won the award on five occasions (1966, 1970, 1986, 2007, 2008) and Ancher Mortlock and Woolley were awarded the prize three times (1967, 1969, 1987).
The University of Newcastle as a client has been awarded the prize five times for campus projects: 1967 Union Building, 1969 Staff House, 1995 Design Faculty, 2003 Birabahn Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Centre and 2016 Watt Space Gallery.
Recipients by year Blacket Prize for Regional Architecture Year Architect Project Location Type Other AIA awards1964 NSW Government Architect EH (Ted) Farmer, Project Architect: Michael DysartTaree Technical CollegeTareeEducation1965 Ian McKay and Philip Cox Architects in AssociationTocal College (C.B. Alexander Presbyterian Agricultural College) 815 Tocal Road, PatersonEducationSulman Medal, 1965 National Award for Enduring Architecture, 2014 New South Wales Enduring Architecture Award, 20141966 Allen, Jack and Cottier Clubbe Hall, Frensham SchoolWaverley Parade and Range Road, MittagongEducationNew South Wales Enduring Architecture Award, 20261967 Ancher, Mortlock, Murray and Woolley Union Building (Shortland Building) Shortland Lane, Callaghan, University of NewcastleEducation1968 NSW Government ArchitectEH (Ted) Farmer, Project Architect: David Turner (joint winner) Albury Government Offices 516 Dean Street, AlburyCommercialEdwards Madigan Torzillo & Partners (joint winner) Warren Library 69 Dubbo Street, WarrenCultural1969 Ancher, Mortlock, Murray and WoolleyStaff House, University of Newcastle Shortland Lane, Callaghan, NewcastleEducation1970 Allen, Jack and CottierRothbury Estate Winery 2213 Broke Road, Pokolbin Commercial1977 Glenn Murcutt Kempsey Farmhouse(Marie Short House) Kempsey ResidentialWilkinson Award, 1979 National Award for Enduring Architecture, 2004 New South Wales Enduring Architecture Award, 20041980 Brian Suters Suters Residence 87 Wolfe Street, The Hill, NewcastleResidential1983 Glenn Murcutt Two Houses (Nicholas and Carruthers Houses)Mount Irvine ResidentialRobin Boyd Award, 1981 Wilkinson Award, 19821986 Allen, Jack and Cottier Claremont Residence BellingenResidential1987Ancher, Mortlock and WoolleyThe Anchorage, Townhouse & Unit Development Tweed HeadsResidential1988Travis PartnersShortland Electricity Administration Headquarters (now Ausgrid) 145 Newcastle Road, WallsendCommercial1991NSW Government ArchitectLindsay Kelly, Project Architect: Olga KosterinAboriginal Cultural MuseumDarling Street, BrewarrinaCultural1992Robert Pullar, Kendale Architect DesignMatcham HouseMatchamResidential1993NSW Government ArchitectLindsay Kelly and Rebecca Hearty, Public Works Department in association with Campbell Luscombe AssociatesWyong Court House6 Anzac Avenue, WyongPublic1995Stutchbury and Pape/EJE ArchitectureDesign Faculty BuildingUniversity of Newcastle, NewcastleEducation1996NSW Government ArchitectLindsay Kelly, Public Works Department in association with Conrad & GargettCoffs Harbour Education CampusCoffs HarbourEducation1997Rod Seymour Architects House for 5DudleyResidential1998Alec Tzannes Associates Kronenberg HouseKillcareResidential1999Terry DorroughDangar Island House14 Riverview Avenue, Dangar IslandResidential2000Mason Architects (Donald Mason)Blue Mountains River RunMegalong ValleyCommercial2001Harry Seidler & AssociatesSouthern Highlands House612 Richards Lane, JoadjaResidential2002NSW Government ArchitectChris Johnson with Merrima Aboriginal Design UnitWilcannia Health ServiceWilcannia Hospital, WilcanniaHealth2003Richard Leplastrier, Peter Stutchbury and Sue HarperBirabahn Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Centre University of Newcastle, NewcastleEducation2004Caroline Pidcock Architects and Richard Goodwin ArchitectsShellharbour Workers Club Corner Wattle & Shellharbour Roads, ShellharbourCommercial2005Stutchbury and PapeDeepwater Woolshed Bulls Run Station, Old Narrandera Rd, Currawarna, Wagga WaggaAgricultural Commercial Architecture Award, 2005 (National, Joint Winner) Colorbond Steel Award, 2005 (National)2006Stutchbury and PapeBangalay Upper Kangaroo Valley Residential Commendation, Robin Boyd Award, 2006 New Housing Architecture Award, 20062007Allen, Jack and Cottier Lake Ainsworth Recreation Hall Pacific Parade, Lennox Head Recreation Public Building Commendation, 2007 (NSW) Sustainable Architecture Commendation, 2007 (NSW)2008Allen, Jack and CottierBerry Sports and Recreation Centre660 Coolangatta Road, Berry RecreationPublic Architecture Award, 2008 (NSW)2009James Stockwell ArchitectKalkite HouseKalkite Road, Kalkite, Snowy Mountains ResidentialColorbond Award for Steel Architecture, 2009 (National)2010Tonkin Zulaikha GreerGlasshouse: Arts, Conference and Entertainment Centre 30-42 Clarence & Hay Streets, Port Macquarie Cultural2011Austin McFarland ArchitectsSt Joseph's Primary School Hall and LibraryChurch Crescent, Wingham Education2012Silvester FullerDapto Anglican Church Auditorium100 Moombara Street, Dapto Religion National Award for Public Architecture, 20122013BVN Donovan HillCharles Sturt University National Life Sciences HubCharles Sturt University, Boorooma Street, North Wagga Wagga Education2014Fender Katsalidis / Mirams ArchitectsGarangula Gallery1855 Back Jugiong Road, Jugiong CulturalNational Interior Architecture Award, 2014 Interior Architecture Award, 2014 (NSW) Commercial Architecture Award, 2014 (NSW)2015NSW Government ArchitectNSW Aboriginal Child and Family Centre (now Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre)12 Hunter Street, Gunnedah Health2016Andrew DonaldsonUniversity of Newcastle Watt Space Gallery20 Auckland Street, NewcastleCulturalPublic Architecture Award, 2016 (Newcastle)2017TKD ArchitectsGlasshouse at Goonoo Goonoo Station 13304 New England Highway, Timbumburi CommercialSir Arthur G. Stephenson Award for Commercial Architecture, 2017 (NSW)2018SHACSt Patrick's Primary School, Stage 1 65 New England Highway, Lochinvar Education Education Architecture Award, 2018 (NSW)2019Chrofi with McGregor CoxallMaitland Riverlink Maitland PublicNSW Architecture Medallion, 2019 National Award for Public Architecture, 2019 Sulman Medal, 2019 (NSW)2020CKDS Architecture with Hill Thalis Verve Residences 464—470 King Street, Newcastle Residential2021Crone with UrbisRocky Hill Memorial Museum Memorial Road, Goulburn Cultural2022Cox ArchitectureEden Port Welcome Centre Weecoon Street, Eden Public2023Brewster Hjorth ArchitectsGoulburn Performing Arts Centre 163 Auburn Street, Goulburn Cultural2024Sibling ArchitectureSouth East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA) Zingel Place, Bega Cultural Public Architecture Award, 2024 (NSW)2025Dunn HillamWard Oval Pavilion Maidens Avenue, Cobar Recreation Public Architecture Commendation, 2025 (NSW)2026Bokey GrantEA House Mittagong Residential Residential Architecture — Houses (New) Architecture Award, 2026
Note: the list of awards recipients from 1964 to 2015 is based on a review and timeline of the Blacket Prize published in the NSW Architecture Bulletin, 1 September 2015.
See also Australian Institute of Architects Awards and Prizes Australian Institute of Architects Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture NSW Architecture Medallion
References