It’s been an outstanding week for our team as we celebrate our third award from the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA). 

At the 2026 AIA NSW State Awards, the ARCH designed Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment received the Colorbond Award. 

ARCH is delighted that the Institute and Colorbond have honoured a project that holds such significance for us. As Sacha Anderson, architect, expressed so eloquently in her acceptance speech:

“Having grown up myself in a regional area, I could understand the profound effect that investment in hospital infrastructure can have on the health and wellbeing outcomes for a regional community. 

Outcomes like this result from interdisciplinary talent collaborating to build trust with the local community and clinical users, working alongside our amazing clients at Health Infrastructure and the Hunter New England Local Health District. I'd also really like to commend the work of Richard Crookes Constructions, who built the project, and the precision installation of the Colorbond facade by LJR, whose workmanship I really struggled to defect. 

After four years of involvement in this project from inception to completion, it's been so lovely to hear that this facility has been warmly welcomed by the community, with such great pride. And I really enjoyed sharing this experience, the process, and the built results with the jury: Tom, Annie, and Gabby. 

In this project, I'm most proud of the level of cultural safety achieved in the design via our consultation and collaboration with the local Kamilaroi mob, resulting in a building that's a really wonderful example of how a contemporary health facility can be both inclusive and welcoming, and provide healing and home with family on one's country.”

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