DMN

The Design Matters National 2025 Building Design Awards are now open for entries.
Since 1996, these Awards have celebrated excellence in Australian building design, recognising work that transforms our built environment and enhances our member community.

Our theme for 2025 is ‘Designing Tomorrow’. We aim to showcase building design achievements that:
– raise industry standards
– anticipate future needs
– advance design skills
– promote innovation and sustainability
– deliver projects within client budgets

We received record entries in 2024 and aim to exceed that number in 2025. We know how much talent lies within our member base and we’re here for it all!

2024 Winners
Aydan Doherty (Design by AD): 2024 East Coast and National Award Winner for “Scotchman’s View” (featured in Grand Designs magazine)
Adam Butcher (DARKLIGHT Design): 2024 West Coast Award Winner for “Purdie House”

Benefits of entering
Entering the awards can help you:
– gain recognition among Australia’s leading building designers
– attract new clients (past winners report increased enquiries)
– secure media coverage for your work
– feature in our annual “Awarded” publication
– receive validation from respected industry professionals
– connect with other award-winning designers

Key dates and information
Entries open: 3 March 2025
Entries close: 20 June 2025
West Coast ceremony: Perth, 10 October 2025
East Coast ceremony: Melbourne, 25 October 2025

Entry details
Entry fee: $550 (including GST) per project
Multiple categories: Enter your project in multiple categories for a single fee
Free ticket: All entrants receive one free ticket to an Awards ceremony
Submit your entry
Membership requirement

You must be a current Design Matters National member to enter the awards.
Become a member
Note: Members who join DMN between March and June and wish to enter the Awards must commit to a full 12-month membership. Entrants who are not financial members as at 25 October 2025 will not be eligible to receive an Award.

What’s new for 2025
We have made several improvements for the 2025 awards:
– streamlined guidelines that are easier to use
– new contractual agreements to ensure fair judging
– improved Awards ceremonies on both coasts based on your feedback
Download guidelines

Entry requirements

Eligibility
To enter, you must:
– be a current DMN member
– submit a project completed within the last 3 years
– have an occupancy permit by the entry closing date
– submit a project not previously entered in DMN Awards

Submission requirements
Your submission must include:
– online submission through our portal
– at least 8 high-resolution photographs
– plans with north point indicated
– clean elevations without amendment clouding
– sustainability documentation
– no visible business identification in materials

Photography requirements
Your photographs must be:
– minimum 300 DPI resolution (at least 4000 pixels on longest edge)
– high-resolution JPEG format
– 8-10 images showing exteriors, interiors and key design details (used with written permission from the photographer)
– properly composed with straight vertical lines and good lighting
– named according to format: ProjectName_Location_Description_Number.jpg

Award categories

Residential categories
New house (various budget categories)
Alterations and additions
Apartments and multi-residential
Specialised categories (heritage, interior, kitchen, bathroom, etc.)

Commercial/mixed-use categories
New commercial
Mixed-use development
Industrial design
Commercial interior
Commercial heritage

Materials & excellence categories
Steel, glass, timber, concrete, etc.
Documentation excellence

Emerging designer categories
Best response to design brief
Best digital presentation
Best interior design response
Excellence in documentation

Contact information
For questions about the awards, please Email: awards@designmatters.org.au