Australian architecture is well represented in the 2011 International Architecture Awards, one of the world's most prestigious awards programs.

In all, 10 awards went to Australian firms, out of 90 new distinguished building projects, urban plans, and landscape architecture selected from around the world.

The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and co-presented by Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd announced the winners, which came from 30 countries.

HASSEL won four of those, including for the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link project which last year won the highest recognition in Australia for public architecture from the Australian Institute of Architects.

EPPING TO CHATSWOOD RAIL LINK By HASSELL. Photographer: Simon Wood

Other Australian firms wining awards included McBride Charles Ryan, McGregor Coxall, Ian Moore Architects, Edward Szewczk Architects and Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp. Full List of Australian winners below.

National president Australian Institute of Architects, Brian Zulaikha, commented to Architecture & Design.

“Australia is certainly producing inspirational architecture with meaning and relevance - and the fact that this is starting to be recognised internationally isn't all that surprising.

“Australians seem to possess the attributes of determination and resilience - pre-requisites to the production of good architecture.

The awards organisers said there was a record number of entries this year and the widest geographic distribution of buildings worldwide in what they have dubbed “the most important barometer for the future direction of new architectural design and thinking".

“This Awards Program,” states Christian Narkiewicz-Laine, museum president, The Chicago Athenaeum, “draws important public and professional focus for the celebration and recognition of the most important key buildings produced in this decade, underscoring the highest level of imagination and inspiration of the ‘best of the best’ architectural minds practicing design today.

"The selected projects challenge new approaches to design that are beyond the envelope of the everyday, while providing cities with key civic buildingS that celebrate and harmonize architecture as a high art while finding answers to the complicated problems of environment, social context, improving quality of life, and sustainability.”

EPPING TO CHATSWOOD RAIL LINK By HASSELL. Photographer: Simon Wood

Kieran Conlon, Director/COO, The European Centre, said the program this year had "drawn some of the world’s most talented thinkers from large and small architectural practices around the world. The glossary of entries is a ‘Who’s Who’ in international architecture practice today.”

For the 2011 International Architecture Awards, the Museum received hundreds of submissions from design firms in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas.

The submissions ranged from the latest new corporate high-tech headquarters to smaller planning projects, bridges, memorials, sacred spaces, and private residences.

All submitted projects were designed by architects in their respective countries of origin or abroad for both built and unbuilt projects alike, as of January 1, 2008.

This year’s jury for awards took place in Warsaw, Poland under the auspices of The Association of Polish

Architects (SARP) and included some of the most influential design minds in Poland:

• Jerzy Grochulski, President, SARP., Warsaw, Poland

• Andrzej Bulanda, Bulanda Mucha Architekci Sp. z.o.o., Warsaw, Poland

• Grzegorz Stiansny, Grzegorz Stiansny Architeki, Warsaw, Poland

• Jacek Syropolski, Kurylowicz & Associates, Warsaw, Poland

The global event is aimed at highlighting the world’s foremost architectural solutions for the designs of new cities, skyscrapers, corporate buildings, institutions, arts facilities, airports, private homes, industrial structures, and urban planning projects, landscape architecture.

A full-list of winning buildings and urban planning projects can be seen at The European Centre’s website at www.europeanarch.eu.

An exhibition of all 90 awarded projects (built and to be built) will take place with “New World Architecture” installed at Centro Cultural Recoleta (Junin 1930 (C.P. 1113) Buenos Aires during the XIII

BA11 International Biennial de Arquitectura in Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 8-30, 2011.

After Argentina, the exhibition is scheduled to travel to Warsaw and inside Europe 2011-2012.

The 30 nations include: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Italy, Iran, Japan, Korea, México, the Netherlands, People’s Republic of China, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, and the United States.

Australian winners in 2011

EPPING TO CHATSWOOD RAIL LINK

  • Sydney, Australians
  • Architects: HASSELL
  • Client: Transport Construction Authority
  • Project Management: Arup
  • Contractors: Thiess Hochtief Joint Venture
  • Station Fitout Contract: AW Edwards
  • Contract Manager: Bovis Lend Lease
  • Quality Surveyor and Cost Planner: Rider Levett Bucknall
  • Photographer: Simon Wood

ADELAIDE_ZOO_ENTRANCE_PRECINCT

  • Adelaide, Australia
  • Architects: HASSELL
  • Client: Zoos Australia
  • Project Management: Arup
  • Contractor: Hindmarsh
  • Structural Engineers: Wallbridge & Gilbert
  • Mechanical/Electrical Engineers: BESTEC
  • Photographer: Peter Bennetts & Edward Mitchell

HARBIN TAIPING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

  • Harbin, People's Republic of China
  • Architects: HASSELL
  • Aviation Planners: Airbiz Aviation Strategies
  • Associate Architects: April Yang Design Studio
  • Associate Architects: China Northeast Architectural Design and Research Institute
  • Consultant: Arup
  • Client: Heilongjiang Airport Group

SWINBURNE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CENTRE

  • Melbourne, Australia
  • Architects: HASSELL
  • Client: Swinburne University of Technology
  • Structural Engineers: AECOM
  • Consulting Engineers: AURECON

FITZROY HIGH SCHOOL

  • North Fitzroy, Australia
  • Architects: McBride Charles Ryan
  • Client: Fitzroy High School Council
  • Contractor: ADCO Constructions
  • Photographer: John Gollings

BIG ROCK JETTY

  • Upper Kangaroo River, Australia
  • Architects: Edward Szewczk Architects
  • Client: Private
  • Contractor: R & A Driver Builders
  • Structural Engineers: D'Ambrosio Consulting
  • Photographer: Edward Szewczyk

STRELEIN WAREHOUSE

  • Surry Hills, Australia
  • Architects: Ian Moore Architects
  • Client: Tess Strelein
  • Contractor: Seager Constructions
  • Photographer: Ian D. Mackenzie
  • garage exterior etc

LETTERBOX_HOUSE

  • Blairgowrie, Australia
  • Architects: McBride Charles Ryan
  • Client: Private
  • Contractor: Smart and Cain Constructions
  • Photographer: John Gollings

BALLAST POINT PARK

  • Sydney, Australia
  • Architects: McGregor Coxall
  • Client: Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority
  • Contractors: Landscape Solutions
  • Photographer: Brett Boardman

SURRY HILLS LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY CENTRE

  • Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • Architects: Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp
  • Client: City of Sydney
  • Contractor: WBHO Pro Build
  • Structural and Façade Engineering: Taylor Thomson Whitting
  • Landscape Architects: Matthew Todd and Mark Brandon
  • Photographers: John Gollings, Andrew Chung, and Mathieu Faliu