Design and Development Awards 2026

The awards promote outstanding urban design, architecture, heritage, public space, sustainability, interior architecture and urban art.

Great design raises the quality of life for everyone in our city. It is more than just aesthetics (although it is that too), it encourages creativity, can help lead to a feeling of safety and can create sustainable spaces that lead to a greener city. Through design, we shape our city and conserve our heritage. In short, it’s worth celebrating!

That’s why we’re calling on architects and designers to help us recognise the incredible work they do designing our city’s spaces.

About the awards

Since 1998, the City of Port Phillip Design and Development Awards has encouraged and celebrated design excellence in the City of Port Phillip.

The awards are free to enter and are held in conjunction with the National Gallery of Victoria's Melbourne Design Week in May. Nominations for the 2026 awards will open in late January.

2026 award categories

Award categories

Category	Description
Small scale	For this category, projects must be small in terms of size or budget. It covers all kinds of projects including landscape and ones that are temporary or experimental.
Residential new build - one to two dwellings	In this category, projects must be residential only and must be entirely new buildings. It includes projects with up to two independent homes.
Residential alteration or addition - one to two dwellings	In this category, projects are all about homes and can involve changing or adding onto existing buildings. It includes projects with up to two independent homes.
Residential - three or more dwellings	For this category, the projects are all about homes and can either be completely new buildings or involve changing or adding onto existing ones. It includes projects with three or more independent homes.
Mixed use	In this category, projects must have at least two different uses, with one of them being residential. It includes both entirely new buildings and changing or adding onto existing ones.
Non-residential	In this category, projects can be of any use except residential. It includes projects for commercial, educational, civic, or institutional purposes. This category covers both entirely new buildings and changes or additions to existing ones.

Jury's award for excellence

The jury’s awards are chosen from the pool of submissions received. All submissions will automatically be considered for the following jury’s awards.

Award	Description
Urban design	This award acknowledges projects that improve the area around them and contribute to a healthy, safe, and enjoyable urban environment.
Sustainability	This award acknowledges projects that show innovation and excellence in being environmentally sustainable.
Heritage	This award honours projects that demonstrate innovation and excellence in restoring or reconstructing the original building materials. These projects also contribute to a better understanding or interpretation of heritage places.
Cultural and community benefit	This award acknowledges projects that creatively meet the community's needs and improve the social or cultural qualities of a place.