Bundanon wins prestigious Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture

Bundanon was recognised among this year’s most eminent and prestigious projects, receiving both the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture and a National Award for Sustainable Architecture, at the Awards ceremony event, held at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo on 3 November.

The NSW Government invested over $10 million into the project through Create NSW, alongside funding from the federal government. The latest Bundanon project adds the next chapter for the Arthur and Yvonne Boyd estate, with the new museum and “bridge” responding to the site’s natural and cultural landscape with practicality and instinct.

In its commentary, the 2022 jury said, Bundanon is steadily becoming a reference for the holy grail of Australian architecture.

Create NSW Interim Chief Executive, Annette Pitman said the national recognition for Bundanon is further strong endorsement for investment in regional cultural arts and heritage.

“This remarkable, environmentally sensitive project extends the legacy of Bundanon, honouring Boyd’s ideals about art and the surrounding landscape. The architecture invites the visitor to appreciate the magnificent vistas as much as the $46.5million art collection,” Ms Pitman said.

These national accolades for Bundanon build on recent State success for Kerstin Thompson Architects, winning the Sulman Medal for Public Architecture at the Architecture Awards NSW chapter in July 2022.

Bundanon is situated on Dharawal country in regional NSW.

About the National Architecture Awards
Since 1981, the National Architecture Awards have upheld excellence in the architecture profession by recognising the strongest practitioners in the field. Dedicated to the promotion of distinction in Australian architecture, the awards program strives to positively shape the industry by acknowledging projects with positive impacts on their community.

The 2022 jury comprised former Institute president Tony Giannone, Adrian Iredale, Caroline Pidcock, Poppy Taylor, and Tim Ross. Winners were selected from a shortlist of 85 finalists from 184 entries.

_{Image: Bundanon Art Museum, Regional Cultural Fund grant recipient. Image: Zan Wimberley}