Lloyd Rees Award for Urban Design

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Lloyd Rees Award for Urban Design
68-050 Alamein Fountain Kings Cross Sydney 1968 (51215837795).jpg
Inaugural Civic Design Award winner,
El Alamein Fountain, 1964
Awarded forUrban Design in New South Wales
Country Australia
Presented by Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter)
First award1964;61 years ago (1964)
Currently held by Sydney Metro
Website www.architecture.com.au/awards

The Lloyd Rees Award for Urban Design is the annual named award for excellence in urban design in New South Wales, Australia as determined by jury appointed by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA), New South Wales Chapter.

Contents

Background

Definition of the award

According to the AIA Policy 13: Awards, Prizes and Honours, projects in this category may be 'single structures, groups of structures or non-building projects, studies or masterplans, which are of public, civic or urban design in nature. Awarded projects must have enhanced the quality of the built environment or public domain or contribute to the wellbeing of the broader community.' [1]

Australia Square, Sydney by Seidler & Associates, 1967 Civic Design Award winner Australia Square 1969 and 2023 (53273917578).jpg
Australia Square, Sydney by Seidler & Associates, 1967 Civic Design Award winner

Civic design awards and recognition

In 1959 the Civic Trust Awards were established in the United Kingdom as an awards system to recognise outstanding planning, urban design and architecture. [2] In 1967 the Civic Trust of South Australia was established, based on the UK Civic Trust Awards and independent of the Australian Institute of Architects.

Early awards for civic design in NSW

A NSW based award for civic design was establised in 1964. Robert Woodward of architectural practice Woodward, Tarantino and Wallace was presented with the inaugural award for the El Alamein Fountain [3] in Fitzroy Gardens, Kings Cross. The award essentially set up to recognise a project that was outside the tradtional award categories such as the Sir John Sulman Medal. Three years later in 1967 Harry Seidler was presented with an RAIA Civic Design Award for Australia Square recognising the integration of accessible public space in a private development. [4] In 1980 Jørn Utzon was presented with a RAIA Civic Design Award for the Sydney Opera House.

El Alamein Fountain, Kings Cross by Robert Woodward, inaugural Civic Design Award winner, 1964 (1)Alamein Fountain.jpg
El Alamein Fountain, Kings Cross by Robert Woodward, inaugural Civic Design Award winner, 1964

Change from civic design to urban design

The award was initially established as the Lloyd Rees Award for Civic Design in 1979 and given annually until 2002. The award category was modified to urban design in 2003 to better reflect changes in the architectural profession and the rise of urban design as the more common terminology for architectural projects of larger scale and community or public benefit.

Naming of the award

The award was named in 1979 after Australian born artist and architectural educator Lloyd Rees (1895–1988). Lloyd Rees was a famous landscape painter and an influential figure in architecture and civic design. For decades he taught at the University of Sydney, and a member of the City of Sydney Fountains Committee (established 1957—1968) from 1962 to 1967. [5] [6] . The Lloyd Rees Fountain in Martin Place was sited and funded by Rees himself and opened in 1976. He is known for his quote "a city is the greatest work of art possible", which is inscribed on his cast bronze bust [7] at Sydney Town Hall, and also "what else is a city but a gallery of beautiful buildings?".

Recipients of Lloyd Rees Award for Urban Design

Winners of Lloyd Rees Award for Urban Design by year
YearArchitectProjectLocationStateTypeOther AIA awards
2025 Sydney Metro
(Transport for NSW)
Sydney Metro City: City Line Stations [8] (Sydenham, Waterloo, Central, Gadigal, Martin Place, Barangaroo, Victoria Cross, Crows Nest)SydneyNew South WalesTransport
2024 Cox Architecture and Aspect Studios Sydney Football Stadium [9] [10] Moore Park, SydneyNew South WalesRecreation
  • Commendation for Public Architecture, 2024
2023No Named Award [11]

Two commendations: City of Sydney Street Furniture and Opera Residences, Circular Quay

2022SJBNewcastle East End [12] NewcastleNew South WalesMixed Use

Awards to full team of SJB, Durbach Block Jaggers and Tonkin Zulaikha Greer:

  • Award for Residential Architecture, Multiple Housing, 2022
  • Premier's Prize, 2022
2021Lahznimmo Architects and Aspect StudiosSub Base Platypus
(Stage 1) [13]
120 High Street, North Sydney New South WalesHeritage
2020 Hassell in collaboration with Turpin Crawford Studio and McGregor Westlake ArchitectureMetro Northwest [15] Sydney New South WalesTransport
2019Mirvac Design, NSW Government Architect’s Office, City of Sydney, PTWHarold Park Development [17] Wigram Road, Glebe New South WalesResidential
  • City of Sydney Lord Mayor’s Prize, 2019
2018 Hassell and Populous Darling Harbour Renewal Darling Harbour New South WalesCultural
2017 Tzannes and Cox Richardson and Foster and Partners Central Park Chippendale, New South Wales New South WalesMixed Use
2016JPW and TKD Architects in collaboration5 Martin Place Martin Place, SydneyNew South WalesCommercial
2015 NSW Government Architect’s Office with McGregor WestlakeWollongong City Centre and Crown Street Mall Renewal [19] Crown Street, Wollongong New South WalesPublic Space
2014Neeson Murcutt Architects in Association with City of Sydney Prince Alfred Park and Pool Upgrade [20] [21] Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills New South WalesRecreation
2013FJMT and Aspect StudiosDarling QuarterDarling HarbourNew South WalersMixed Use
2012 BVN Architecture Taronga Zoo Upper Entry PrecinctMosmanNew South WalesPublic Space
2011Tonkin Zulaikha GreerNational Centre of Indigenous ExcellenceGeorge Street, RedfernNew South WalesCultural
2010Tonkin Zulaikha Greer with JMD Design & the City of Sydney Paddington Reservoir Gardens [23] 255a Oxford Street, Paddington New South WalesPublic Space
2009Merivale Group, Woods Bagot and Hecker Phelan GuthrieIvy PrecinctGeorge Street, Sydney New South WalesCommercial
  • Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture, 2009 (National)
  • National Award for Urban Design, 2009
  • Commercial Architecture Award, 2009 (NSW) [24]
2008Rice Daubney, Allen Jack and Cottier and Group GSA in association with Civitas Urban Design and PlanningRouse Hill Town CentreMain Street, Rouse HillNew South WalesTown Centre
2007Johnson Pilton WalkerWestpac PlaceKent Street, SydneyNew South WalesCommercial
2006Durbach Block ArchitectsBrickpit Ring [25] Sydney Olympic Park New South WalesPublic Space
2005HPA, PTW, Tropman and Tropman, Bates Smart, Clive Lucas Stapleton and Partners Walsh Bay Redevelopment [26] Hickson Road, Millers PointNSWMixed Use
2004No Named Award
2003 New South Wales Government Architect in association with Hassell and Turpin and Crawford StudioVictoria ParkZetlandNew South WalesPublic Space
2002Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority in association with New South Wales Government Architect, Department of Public Works & ServiceDawes Point ParkDawes Point, The Rocks New South WalesPublic Space
2000FJMTJohn Niland Scientia Building and Red Centre, UNSWKensingtonNew South WalesEducation
1999Lippmann AssociatesKing George V Recreation CentreCumberland Street, The RocksNew South WalesRecreation
1998 Sydney Cove Authority Long's Lane Precinct Stage 3 conservationThe Rocks, SydneyNew South WalesHeritage
1997 New South Wales Government Architect (Chris Johnson) with design architect Eric Wisden Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital redevelopmentMacquarie Street, SydneyNew South WalesHeritage
1997Tonkin Zuliakha Overseas Passenger Terminal The Rocks, SydneyNew South WalesTransport
1996
1995 Denton Corker Marshall Museum of Sydney Bridge Street, SydneyNew South WalesCultural
1994Tonkin Zulaikha Harford Architects (joint winner)The Rocks Square The Rocks, SydneyNew South WalesPublic Building
  • Merit Award for Urban Design, 1994 (NSW)
1994PTWUNSW Quadrangle BuildingKensingtonNew South WalesEducation
1993
1992
1991 Robert Woodward Water Feature at Darling Harbour Tidal Cascade Darling Harbour, SydneyNew South WalesPublic Fountain
1990
1989
1988 NSW Public Works Department, Architectural Division with Allen Jack and Cottier, Conybeare Morrison and Partners, Hall Bowe and Webber, and Lawrence Nield and Partners Circular Quay and Macquarie Street Redevelopment for the Australian Bicentenary Macquarie Street, Sydney New South WalesPublic Space
1987
1986
1985Vivian Fraser in Association with NSW Government Architect (Ian Thomson)Wharf TheatreHickson Road, Walsh BayNew South WalesCultural
1984
1983
1982
1981 Harry Seidler MLC Martin Place 25 Martin Place, SydneyNew South WalesCommercial
1980 Jørn Utzon Sydney Opera House New South WalesCultural
1979
1967 Harry Seidler Australia Square 264 George Street, Sydney New South WalesCommercial
1964Woodward, Tarantino and Wallace (Robert Woodward) El Alamein Fountain Fitzroy Gardens, Macleay Street, Kings CrossNew South WalesPublic Fountain
  • RAIA Civic Design Award, 1964

See also

References

  1. Australian Institute of Architects (November 2020). "Policy 13 Awards, Prizes and Honours, Section 13.3.5" (PDF). Architecture.com.au. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  2. "Special Awards". Civic Trust Awards. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  3. "El Alamein Fountain". City of Sydney Archives. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  4. Hunn, Patrick (8 May 2017). "Seidler's Australia Square celebrates 50th anniversary". Architecture AU. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  5. "Lloyd Rees". Monument Australia. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  6. City of Sydney Archives. "Sydney Fountains Committee". City of Sydney. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  7. "Sculptures, Lloyd Rees". City of Sydney. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  8. Burke, Kelly (20 June 2025). "'Legacy-making' Sydney metro stations take out top prize in NSW Architecture awards". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  9. "2024 NSW Architecture Awards". Architecture AU. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  10. "Allianz Stadium Wins Top Urban Design Title at the 2024 NSW Architecture Awards". Cox Architecture. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  11. "2023 NSW Architecture Awards". Australian Insititute of Architecture. June 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  12. "2022 NSW Architecture Awards". Australian Institute of Architects. June 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  13. "2021 NSW Architecture Awards Winners". Australian Institute of Architects. June 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  14. "The winners of the 40th National Architecture Awards". Architecture AU. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  15. "2020 NSW Architecture Awards Winners". Architecture AU. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  16. "'Above and beyond': The winners of the 2020 National Architecture Awards". Australian Institute of Architects. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
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  18. "2018 National Architecture Awards: The Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design". Architecture AU. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  19. "2015 NSW Architecture Awards". Architecture AU. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  20. "2014 NSW Architecture Awards". Architecture AU. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  21. "2014 National Architecture Awards". Architecture AU. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  22. "2014 National Architecture Awards: Walter Burley Griffin Award". Architecture AU. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  23. "NSW Architecture Awards 20". Indesign Live. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
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  25. "RAIA State Awards". Architecture AU. 1 July 2006. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  26. "Full awards list". The Sydney Morning Herald . 18 June 2005. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  27. "25 Year Award for Enduring Architecture: The Wharf Theatre". ArchitectureAU.com.au. 1 November 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2025.