The 2013 NSW Architecture Awards are now open for entries across a range of categories with entries set to close in March and winners to be presented with awards on June 27.

The categories for this year include: Public Architecture, Urban Design, Commercial Architecture, Interior Architecture, Residential Architecture (Houses, Alts And Adds, And Multiple Housing categories), and the award for Steel Architecture.

Last year saw BVN take out the top award for architecture, the Sir John Sulman Medal for Public Architecture for the Ravenswood School for Girls. It was the seventh time the firm has won since the award was introduced in 1932.

This year will see a number of changes take place said NSW chapter president Matthew Pullinger.

"The Milo Dunphy Award for Sustainable Architecture will now be open to entries across all categories rather than a separate category to reflect the fundamental importance of sustainable design. The age ceiling for the Enduring Architecture Award has also been changed to allow buildings older than 50 years to be eligible," Pullinger said.

He added:"The former Small Project Architecture Award has also been elevated to a named award to honour architect Robert Raymond (Bob) Woodward AM. Bob Woodward’s career path was significantly altered after winning the Institutes’ Civic Design Award in 1964 for the El Alamein Memorial Fountain in Kings Cross. We hope this award will continue to inspire innovation and beauty in our urban streetscapes."

Pullinger also announced that the heritage category will be broken into two subcategories: conservation projects and creative adaptation however all entries into these categories will remain eligible for the national award, the Lachlan Macquarie award for heritage.

A new award will recognise excellence in the public domain and is called the new Lord Mayor's prize and will recognise collaborations and additions to public spaces in the city.

Winners of 2013 NSW Named Awards and Architecture Awards will progress to the National Architecture Awards to be announced on Thursday 7 November 2013 at the Sydney Opera House.