The University of Notre Dame Australia is celebrating a standout showing at the 2026 Western Australian Architecture Awards, with a major campus redevelopment, academics and alumni all connected to award-winning work.
The University’s Fremantle Student Hub project, designed by Hames Sharley, received awards for Educational Architecture and Interior Architecture at the Australian Institute of Architects ceremony.
It adds to a growing list of accolades for the transformative project, which was shortlisted in the Australian Interior Design Awards and earlier this year won a major award at the Learning Environments Australasia Design Awards.
Notre Dame’s Senior Lecturers Simon Pendal and Katherine Ashe also received major recognition at the WA Architecture Awards for projects delivered through their architectural practices.
Dr Pendal’s practice Simon Pendal Architect won the Iwan Iwanoff Award for Small Project Architecture, while Ms Ashe’s firm Vittino Ashe Architects received an award for Residential Architecture and commendations for Sustainable Architecture and Lighting.
Many of the practices that took home awards currently employ Notre Dame graduates and Master of Architecture students.
Architecture Program Co-ordinator, Dr Lara Mackintosh, said the awards highlighted the strength of Notre Dame’s architecture programs and their meaningful connection with industry.
“Notre Dame was incredibly well represented across the awards – from the recognition of our Student Hub to the success of our academics, alumni and industry partners,” she said.
“The awards demonstrate the strength of our teaching, the quality of the firms we work with and the opportunities available to our students through those relationships.
“Many of our students are learning directly from award-winning architects and practices before they even graduate.”
Notre Dame works with practice partners to provide students with professional placements during their studies. Seven of the University’s practice partners received WA Architecture Awards.
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