First published 30 Oct 2026, 10:10am
The 100 year old Woodside Cottage won Australia’s top residential renovation for 2026, designed by local studio ME. Picture: Christopher Frederick Jones
A humble 1920s weatherboard cottage that refused to be wiped out by encroaching high-rises has beaten mega-mansions to take out Australia’s best renovation of the year award.
The century-old survivor called Woodside Cottage, whose renovation was designed by Queensland studio ME, pulled off a classic underdog victory at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2026 National Architecture Awards Thursday night.
Woodside Cottage, designed by local studio ME, included the addition of a tower to match surrounding apartment buildings and catch the views. Picture: Christopher Frederick Jones
It took out the prestigious Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture (Houses – Alterations and Additions), officially securing the title of Australia’s finest home renovation.
Located in the heart of Burleigh Heads, the Gold Coast triumph headlined a massive night that covered the best architecture of the year across the country – a major feat for a home originally built in the early 1920s by Henry James Nelson on the land of the Kombumerri clan (Yugambeh people).
The modest timber shack survived a century of coastal development pressure and rather than flatten the site to build a sprawling modern block, architect Matthew Eagle stripped back unsympathetic 1970s additions, restored the cottage’s timber envelope, and introduced a slender mini-tower that re-anchors the home against neighbouring three-storey flats.
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Judges said these winners prove you can have a smaller house and live very well. Picture: Christopher Frederick Jones
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect coming as rising construction costs and interest rate pressure force Australian homeowners to rethink oversized suburban footprints.
Australian Institute of Architects jury chair Adam Haddow said Woodside Cottage proved that thoughtful, modest design is outperforming sprawling residential builds.
“The cost-of-living crisis is heavily impacting housing in Australia,” Mr Haddow said. “These economic pressures and a rethinking of scale have given rise to more modest, sustainable, efficient and flexible homes that are scaled appropriately to occupants, not sprawling properties.”
“These winners prove you can have a smaller house and live very well. The projects also point to an ongoing development of living that engages with the landscape, and that living outside in Australia is important.”
Woodside Cottage, designed by local studio ME, retained privacy while letting in light. Picture: Christopher Frederick Jones
Judges praised the home’s ability to retain absolute privacy while bringing natural light into compact rooms using a brick-paved courtyard, folded steel stairs and an elevated tower sitting room framing coastal views over Burleigh Heads.
“Good design occurs when we consciously consider how to positively improve people’s lives, where challenges are met, and opportunities for betterment are embraced,” Mr Haddow said. “Bad design is when we take things for granted, where we rely on precedent and leave things unconsidered.”
Yitpi Yartapuultiku (The Soul of Port Adelaide). Picture: www.peterbennetts.com
COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture: Yitpi Yartapuultiku (The Soul of Port Adelaide) | Ashley Halliday Architects together with the Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal Working Group and Wax Design (SA)
205 North Quay. Picture: DAVID CHATFIELD
The Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture: 205 North Quay | Hassell REX Richards & Spence (QLD)
National Award for Commercial Architecture: New Sydney Fish Market | 3XN in association with BVN and ASPECT Studios (NSW)
National Commendation for Commercial Architecture: 65 Dover Street, Cremorne | Fieldwork (VIC)
The Daryl Jackson Award for Educational Architecture: Green Square Public School and Community Spaces | BVN (NSW)
National Award for Educational Architecture: ECU City | Lyons with Silver Thomas Hanley and Haworth Tompkins (WA)
National Award for Educational Architecture: Plant Futures Facility | m3architecture (QLD)
National Award for Educational Architecture: The Forest | Woods Bagot (TAS)
National Award for Enduring Architecture: Clubbe Hall | AJC Architects (NSW)
Adelaide Town Hall. Picture: Brad Griffin
The Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage: Adelaide Town Hall | Swanbury Penglase (SA)
National Award for Heritage: Entertainment Hall White Bay | DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design with Placemaking NSW (NSW)
National Commendation for Heritage: The Lands by Capella | Hassell in collaboration with Purcell Architecture (NSW)
The Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture: Studio8 | Partners Hill (VIC)
National Award for Interior Architecture: GOLDEN AVENUE | J.AR Office (QLD)
National Commendation for Interior Architecture: Gugan Gulwan | COX Architecture with ck architecture Australia (ACT)
The Jørn Utzon Award for International Architecture: Santa Monica Vermont Apartments | KoningEizenberg Architecture (USA)
Australian Award for International Architecture: Further | MORQ (INDONESIA)
Australian Commendation for International Architecture: TDX Ice Factory | NU architecture & design (VIETNAM)
The Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture: Yitpi Yartapuultiku (The Soul of Port Adelaide) | Ashley Halliday Architects together with the Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal Working Group and Wax Design (SA)
National Award for Public Architecture: Central Station | Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan + Partners (NSW)
National Award for Public Architecture: New Footscray Hospital | COX Architecture and Billard Leece Partnership (VIC)
National Commendation for Public Architecture: Pier Pavilion | Besley & Spresser (NSW)
Woodside Cottage. Picture: Christopher Frederick Jones
The Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions): Woodside Cottage | ME (QLD)
National Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions): Palmerston Street House | Robert Simeoni Architects (VIC)
National Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions): Stuartholme House | Nielsen Jenkins with Michael Lumby (QLD)
Eric Street by Officer Woods Architects. Picture: Robert Frith
The Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New): Eric Street | Officer Woods Architects (WA)
National Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New): EA House | Bokey Grant (NSW)
National Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (New): eton | vittinoAshe architects (WA)
National Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (New): Birdwood | Peter Besley (QLD)
Lacebark – Smart Design Studio. Picture: Veronique Jenkins
The Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing: Lacebark | Smart Design Studio (NSW)
National Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing: 443 Queen St | WOHA with Architectus & Kris Kowalski Architects (QLD)
National Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing: 9 Wilson Ave | MA+Co (VIC)
National Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing: Merri Northcote | Six Degrees Architects (VIC)
Commendation for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing: Habilis | Collins and Turner (NSW)
The Nicholas Murcutt Award for Small Project Architecture: St Thomas More Columbarium | Simon Pendal Architect (WA)
National Award for Small Project Architecture: Magenta Outhouse | Atelier Marks Gaal (NSW)
National Award for Small Project Architecture: The Ablutions at Wybalenna | Taylor and Hinds Architects with the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania (TAS)
The David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture: Yitpi Yartapuultiku (The Soul of Port Adelaide) | Ashley Halliday Architects together with the Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal Working Group and Wax Design (SA)
National Award for Sustainable Architecture: The Forest | Woods Bagot (TAS)
National Award for Sustainable Architecture: Younghusband | Woods Bagot (VIC)
Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway Ramp by Collins and Turner. Picture: Brett Boardman Photography 2026.
The Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design: Sydney Harbour Bridge Northern Access Cycleway | Collins and Turner with Aspect Studios, Eckersley O’Callaghan and Design 5 – Architects (NSW)
National Award for Urban Design: Balam Balam Place | Kennedy Nolan (VIC)
National Commendation for Urban Design: St Kilda Pier Redevelopment | Jackson Clements Burrows Architects with Site Office Landscape Architecture and AW Maritime (VIC)
Special Jury Prize: The Ablutions at Wybalenna & The Homestead Renewal at Wybalenna | Taylor and Hinds Architects with the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania (TAS)
The top urban design winner for 2026. Picture: Brett Boardman Photography 2026.
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