The Australian War Memorial entrance and parade ground redevelopment has won the heritage award at the National Architecture Awards. The award recognizes designs that reimagine and honor significant heritage landmarks or periods in time.
The project, initiated more than six years ago, involved a team of about 15 architects led by Doug Southwell, Nicholas Bandounas, and Edward Salib from Studio SC. The design weaves together the history of the sandstone building with the service of Australian personnel from before World War I to today.
Key features include a large oculus revealing the sky, which is the inverse of the one in the pre-existing Hall of Memory. Outside, pillars represent those who have served. The circular nature of the project, with visitors entering and exiting from the same spot, is designed to invoke thoughtfulness and reverence.
The design required significant technical work, including lowering the bottom south-side floor to accommodate the oculus and improve accessibility. Hundreds of workers were involved in the project.
The new entrance and redone parade ground have already won three categories at the 2025 ACT Architecture Awards and one at the Australian Interior Design Awards. The War Memorial is expected to have more than 1.3 million annual visitors from next year.
