Project Category Criteria

Leadership Category Criteria

Each award category features its own tailored set of criteria, with individual weightings applied to reflect what matters most within that category. This structured approach ensures every submission is evaluated fairly and consistently, recognising excellence in a way that’s both transparent and aligned with the unique goals of each award. You will be required to provide a response (maximum 500 words) as part of the online submission process.

Project Awards

Affordable Housing Award

How has the project been designed, delivered and executed to deliver a housing option for a defined cohort? How has the project’s design and/or fit out considered ongoing lifecycle/operating costs for tenants/residents?

How has the project responded to the local context, considered the wider community’s objectives and created a sense of place? How has the project responded to any planning challenges or unique site constraints?

To what extent have innovation initiatives been incorporated into the design beyond regulatory requirements? This may include engineering solutions, sustainability initiatives, design or other unique features etc.

To what extent has the architectural intent of the project contributed to its success and the local environment? What processes have been implemented to ensure a high level of finish, commensurate to the offer/market?

Boutique Development Award

To what extent has the architectural intent of the project contributed to its success and the local environment? What processes have been implemented to ensure a high level of finish, commensurate to the offer/market?

How has the project responded to the local context, considered the wider community’s objectives and created a sense of place?

To what extent have innovation initiatives been incorporated into the design beyond regulatory requirements? This may include engineering solutions, sustainability initiatives, design or other unique features etc.

How has the market responded to the project? Has the project performed against its financial goals and sales/lease targets?

Medium Density Award

To what extent has the architectural intent of the project contributed to its success and the local environment? What processes have been implemented to ensure a high level of finish, commensurate to the offer/market?

How has the project responded to the local context, considered the wider community’s objectives and created a sense of place?

To what extent have innovation initiatives been incorporated into the design beyond regulatory requirements? This may include engineering solutions, sustainability initiatives, design or other unique features etc.

How has the market responded to the project? Has the project performed against its financial goals and sales/lease targets?

Apartments (Mid-Rise) Award 

To what extent has the architectural intent of the project contributed to its success and the local environment? What processes have been implemented to ensure a high level of finish, commensurate to the offer/market?

How has the project responded to the local context, considered the wider community’s objectives and created a sense of place?

To what extent have innovation initiatives been incorporated into the design beyond regulatory requirements? This may include engineering solutions, sustainability initiatives, design or other unique features etc.

How has the market responded to the project? Has the project performed against its financial goals and sales/lease targets?

Apartments (High-Rise) Award 

To what extent has the architectural intent of the project contributed to its success and the local environment? What processes have been implemented to ensure a high level of finish, commensurate to the offer/market?

How has the project responded to the local context, considered the wider community’s objectives and created a sense of place?

To what extent have innovation initiatives been incorporated into the design beyond regulatory requirements? This may include engineering solutions, sustainability initiatives, design or other unique features etc.

How has the market responded to the project? Has the project performed against its financial goals and sales/lease targets?

Design Award 

How does the design of the project demonstrate design excellence and architectural merit?

How does the building respond to the characteristics of the site, and positively and thoughtfully engage with the local area and street scape?

To what extent have innovation initiatives been incorporated into the design beyond regulatory requirements? This may include engineering solutions, sustainability initiatives, design or other unique features etc.

How does the design challenge traditional building typologies and planning regulations?

Marketing Award

How well has the initial marketing strategy been implemented? How have the campaign outcomes been monitored, evaluated and utilised to make necessary adjustments to the strategy?

What innovative and/or creative marketing strategies or tactics were utilised?

How well does the marketing of this project demonstrate a link back the company’s overall brand/strategy?

How has the market responded to the project? Has the project performed against its financial goals and sales/lease targets?

Masterplanned Communities Award

How has the project responded to the local context, considered the wider community’s objectives and created a sense of place?

How has the project responded to any planning challenges? How has the project’s urban design responded to site constraints and opportunities?

To what extent have innovation initiatives been incorporated into the design beyond regulatory requirements? This may include engineering solutions, sustainability initiatives, design or other unique features etc.

How has the market responded to the project? Has the project performed against its financial goals and sales/lease targets?

Professional Services and Consultancy Award

What innovative techniques, processes, problem solving approaches or technical methods have been applied to significantly enhance project outcomes or create value for clients?

How has your involvement enabled effective collaboration across multiple partners and disciplines within the project team? How have these collaborative efforts contributed to achieving shared objectives and delivering successful project outcomes?

How has your involvement achieved measurable success for the project or initiative against predefined targets, client satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness?

How has your involvement delivered measurable value to the development industry and the broader community? Consider how you contributed to best practice, improved project quality and efficiency, supported sustainable outcomes, and created positive social, economic, or environmental impacts beyond the immediate project. How has the market responded to the project, and what evidence demonstrates its success or acceptance?

Property Technology (Proptech) Innovation Award

To what extent has the new technology contributed to solving an issue or creating an improved outcome? Note: Is it considered a ‘game changer’ for the industry?

To what extent has your project contributed to the property industry and the collective goal of delivering great places to live, work and play? For example: this may be through the invention of a product that reduces construction times, enhances sustainability or software that assists in the design or construction phases of a project or an initiative that seeks to engage the broader community or your project may enhance the reputation of the property industry.

To what extent have innovation initiatives been incorporated into the project?
Note: The innovation itself is fundamental to the project.

How has the project engaged and included relevant stakeholders?

Is the project financially viable for wider industry uptake? Or is it cost prohibitive to larger uptake?

How have the project’s outcomes been monitored, evaluated, and shared with other stakeholders?

Residential Subdivision Award

How has the project responded to the local context, considered the wider community’s objectives and created a sense of place?

How has the project responded to any planning challenges? How has the project’s urban design responded to site constraints and opportunities?

To what extent have innovation initiatives been incorporated into the design beyond regulatory requirements? This may include engineering solutions, sustainability initiatives, design or other unique features etc.

How has the market responded to the project? Has the project performed against its financial goals and sales/lease targets?

Seniors’ Living Award

How has the project responded to the local context, considered the wider community’s objectives and created a sense of place? How has the project responded to any planning challenges or unique site constraints? What initiatives have been incorporated in the project to create, strengthen and support resident connections?

To what extent has the architectural intent of the project contributed to its success and the local environment? What processes have been implemented to ensure a high level of finish, commensurate to the offer/market?

How has the market responded to the project? Has the project performed against its financial goals and sales/lease targets?

To what extent have innovation initiatives been incorporated into the design beyond regulatory requirements? This may include engineering solutions, sustainability initiatives, design or other unique features etc.

To what extent does the project provide care services, or seek to provide a potential pathway, or transition to aged care?

Social and Community Infrastructure Award

To what extent have innovation initiatives been incorporated into the design beyond regulatory requirements? This may include engineering solutions, sustainability initiatives, design or other unique features etc.

How did you involve the surrounding community and key stakeholders in the design of the project?

To what extent has your project delivered a community dividend? How successful has the project been in strengthening local communities?

To what extent does the space deliver equitable access for all members of the community as well as connectivity to other nearby services and facilities.

Sustainability Award

To what extent have sustainability initiatives been incorporated into the project beyond regulatory requirements? Consider the project’s sustainability initiatives across the following areas (each initiative is worth 10 points, totalling 60 points):
• Urban ecology
• Waste management
• Energy
• Materials
• Water
• Community
Examples of sustainability initiatives relevant to the above can be found in the EnviroDevelopment technical standards: http://envirodevelopment.com.au

What non-standard features or initiatives (e.g. design process and outcomes, community engagement, construction practices, partnerships with community groups etc.) have significantly enhanced the project?

Has the project received any formal sustainability rating including EnviroDevelopment certification or similar?

Urban Renewal Award

To what extent has the architectural intent of the project contributed to its success and the local environment? What processes have been implemented to ensure a high level of finish, commensurate to the offer/market?

How has the project responded to the local context, considered the wider community’s objectives and created a sense of place?

To what extent have innovation initiatives been incorporated into the design beyond regulatory requirements? This may include engineering solutions, sustainability initiatives, design or other unique features etc.

How has the market responded to the project? Has the project performed against its financial goals and sales/lease targets?

Leadership Awards

Employer of Choice Award

How well did they show their diversity policies and how this has improved company performance.

How well do you think their policies promote diversity in the workplace.

How well have they achieved an overall diverse company profile? Breaking down employees by the Board, senior management, middle management and other levels.

Women in Leadership Award

  1. Provide examples of your leadership qualities and indicate how you have demonstrated these qualities throughout your career.
  2. Describe how you act as a role model to other professionals.
  3. Detail the positive contributions that you have made to your organisation/the development industry, above and beyond your job role.

Young Leader of the Year Award

  1. Provide examples of your leadership qualities and indicate how you have demonstrated these qualities throughout your career.
  2. Describe how you act as a role model to other professionals.
  3. Detail the positive contributions that you have made to your organisation/the development industry, above and beyond your job role.