The new Adelaide Aquatic Centre in the Adelaide Park Lands has been awarded the prestigious City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence.
Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith presented the award at the annual SA Architecture Awards Party on Saturday night (20 June).
The 2026 People’s Choice Category Award as voted by the South Australian public was also given to the Adelaide Aquatic Centre.
The 2026 City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence Jury also awarded a commendation to the new YWCA Apartments building on Hutt Street.
The Lord Mayor said the purpose of the City of Adelaide Prize is to recognise projects that actively engage and enhance the community’s experience within the City of Adelaide.
“The projects can be of any scale and may include buildings, public art installations, landscape works and temporary contributions to public space that actively engage the community and enhance the city’s public spaces,” said the Lord Mayor.
“The new Adelaide Aquatic Centre stands as an example of the level of complexity and ambition that is required in designing and delivering contemporary public infrastructure.
“This project is a significant civic facility that will serve generations of South Australians and brings together recreation, wellbeing and community connection through purposeful design.”
This year Council received six entries for the City of Adelaide Prize:
· Adelaide Aquatic Centre (Kauwingka) by JPE Design Studio with Warren and Mahoney and Karl Winda Telfer
· Opuntia and Olea: Stories of Adaptation by Giuseppe Matteo Pappalardo
· Reno’s by RADS
· YWCA by Tridente Boyce
· Eighty Eight O’Connell by Woods Bagot
· Adelaide Town Hall by Swanbury Penglase
Jury Award Citation: Adelaide Aquatic Centre:
The Adelaide Aquatic Centre exemplifies context-led design, enhancing its natural Park Lands setting while encouraging greater public visitation.
Nestled into the landscape, the aquatic centre sits lightly within its surroundings and gives back without taking away: an approach that reflects a highly considered and responsive addition to this sensitive environment.
The collaborative design process was grounded in Kaurna principles and shaped through meaningful engagement with diverse user groups. The result is a collection of bathing and recreational spaces that provide a universally accessible community destination for all.
Balancing environmental sensitivity with social activation, the aquatic centre invites people to reconnect with the Park Lands in inclusive and engaging ways. It breathes life into the City of Adelaide for locals and visitors alike and sets a strong benchmark for the development of future community facilities.
Jury Award Commendation: YWCA Apartments – Hutt Street
The YWCA sets a new standard for affordable housing, demonstrating that community services can be delivered without compromising quality. It provides secure and dignified housing for women and their families who have experienced domestic and family violence.
Sited seamlessly on Hutt Street, the YWCA achieves a welcoming street interface while prioritising resident safety through thoughtful design. The building’s consideration for long-term use and adaptability sets a strong benchmark.
The YWCA makes an elegant contribution to the City of Adelaide that is free from stigma and affirms that the city is home for everyone, through all stages of life.
The City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence Jury for 2026 comprised of:
· Brendan Le Var – Architectus (Chair)
· Cllr Eleanor Freeman, City of Adelaide Representative
· Steve Grieve, Senior Architect, Retired
· Andrew Wallace – Adelaide University
· Beth Neate – Guildhouse (Guildhouse Representative)
Background
The City of Adelaide Prize for Design Excellence was established by Council in 1997 to celebrate recently completed projects that have made an extraordinary contribution to Adelaide.
The Prize forms a separate category within the South Australian Institute of Architects Award Program run by the Institute of Architects and is promoted as specifically and solely sponsored by the City of Adelaide.
PICTURE: Tom Roe
