The Jack Cheesman Award for Enduring Architecture, formerly known as the 25 Year Award is an architecture prize presented annually by the South Australia Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA).

History

The inaugural award was given in 2005 and was known as the 25 Year Award until at least 2011. The average age of the 16 projects recognised to 2024 is 36.6 years from completion of construction to year of award. The award was issued every second year from 2005 until 2013, and has been awarded annually since 2014 (see table below).

Description

The award recognises significant, long lasting and innovative architecture with usually more than 25 years passed since the completion of construction. The Enduring Architecture Award recognises achievement for the design of buildings of outstanding merit, which have remained important as high quality works of architecture when considered in contemporary cultural, social, economic and environmental contexts in South Australia. Nominations for the award can be made by AIA members, non–members and non–architects, but must provide adequate material and information supporting the nomination for consideration of the jury.

National Awards

Recipients of the state–based award are eligible for consideration for the National Award for Enduring Architecture presented later in the same year, as part of the Australian National Architecture Awards. As of 2025 no South Australian projects had received the National Award.

By year

2007 award

When awarding the second award to Newell Platten for Dr Kent's Paddock in 2007, the jury citation read; "The 25 Year Award is not given lightly and it has been two years since it was last awarded — but the Jury's views were unanimous. Dr Kent’s Paddock, more that any other project of its time embodies the virtues of this award — a project of considerable influence for its time and place, and one that has stood the test of time. All the more potent is that it was carried out by the most venerable of South Australia’s institutions, the South Australian Housing Trust, its role now incorporated within Housing SA".

2022 award

The Jury for the 2022 award was composed of Honours Committee members Anthony Coupe, David Hassell, Rob Cheesman, Lolita Mohyla, Tony Giannone, Elaine Davies and Lu Balsamo. The award was given to Robin Boyd's Walkley House built in North Adelaide in 1956.

2023 award

The Jury for the 2023 award was Anthony Coupe, Chris Morley, Elaine Davies, Lolita Mohyla, Lu Balsamo and Rob Cheesman. The award was given to the Adelaide Festival Centre by Hassell, opened in 1973. The jury citation described the project saying "The Adelaide Festival Centre is not only instantly recognisable, it also represents an important period in South Australian history and is integral to our identity as the Festival State. Buildings that achieve all these things at once are rare, and for the Festival Centre to have done so for 50 years is truly worthy of celebration."

2024 award

The jury for the 2024 award was Anthony Coupe (Mulloway) and Lolita Mohyla (Mohyla Architects) and retired architects Rob Cheesman (Cheesman), Elaine Davies (DaSH), Lu Balsamo (Hassell) and Adrian Evans (JPE). The jury citation described the awarded project, the Science Technology and Art Centre at St Peters College (SPCS) by Geof Nairn stating "the project realises the SPCS ethos to ‘cherish history while embracing the ever-evolving landscape of education’. The new building is clearly of its time, with saw tooth roofs and glazed facades providing ample natural light. The siting, roof pitch and rendered walls defer to adjacent sandstone buildings."

Award recipients

Jack Cheesman Award for Enduring Architecture (reverse order)
YearArchitectProjectLocationYear builtYears sinceOther AIA/RAIA awards
2025No Award
2024Geof Nairn ArchitectsSt Peter’s Collegiate School (SPCS) Science, Technology and Art Centre12 Pembroke Street, St Peters, Adelaide199925 years
2023Hassell & PartnersAdelaide Festival CentreKing William Road, Adelaide197350 years
2022Robin BoydWalkley House26-27 Palmer Place, North Adelaide195666 years
2021SA Public Buildings Department (Architect Adrian Evans) & SACON (Architect Denis Harrison)Juvenile Court (now Youth Court of South Australia)75 Wright Street, Adelaide197546 yearsRAIA Award of Merit 1976
2020Cheesman Doley Brabham & NeighbourNunyara Chapel8 Culley Avenue, Belair196357 yearsRAIA Award of Merit, 1966
2019Hassell & PartnersColonel Light Centre25 Pirie Street, Adelaide197841 years
2018Max PritchardPritchard House199028 yearsCommendation — Residential, 1991
2017SACON (Architect Carlo Gnezda)Adelaide VelodromeState Sports Park, Main North Road, Gepps Cross199324 yearsNational Commendation for Public Architecture, 1993 (National Awards)
2016SA Public Buildings Department (Architect Kevin Hocking)South Australian Forensic Science Centre21 Divett Place, Adelaide197838 years
2015Geof Nairn ArchitectsCentennial Park Chapel Complex (Heysen and Florey Chapels)760 Goodwood Road, Pasadena198629 years
2014Guy Maron ArchitectBicentennial ConservatoryPlane Tree Drive, Adelaide Botanic Gardens198826 yearsSir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture, 1991 (National)
2013Rod RoachRoach House Belair21 Fourth Road, Belair, South Australia197142 yearsDerrick Kendrick Award for Sustainable Architecture, 2013
2012No Award†
2011Guy Maron ArchitectRegency Park College of TAFE137 Days Road, Regency Park1980?31 years
2010No Award†
2009Rod Roach with WoodheadAdelaide Fire Station81–129 Wakefield Street, Adelaide198524 years
2008No Award†
2007Newell Platten, Chief Design Architect, South Australian Housing TrustDr Kent's Paddock and Open Space3—57 Capper Street & 28—48 Rundle Street, Kent Town197928 years
2006No Award†
2005Robert DicksonAdelaide University Union, Union HouseVictoria Drive, University of Adelaide, Adelaide197530 yearsRAIA Award of Merit, 1974 Civic Trust Award, 1975

† Award was presented biennially from 2005—2013

Gallery

File:White Support Beams.jpg

See also