Blacket Prize

Initially named the Blacket Award, it was initiated in 1964 and in 1984 the title was adjusted to become the Blacket Prize for Regional Architecture. Projects eligible for entry in the New South Wales Regional Architecture Awards are entered in to the Blacket Prize for consideration.^[1] The award is presented at the annual NSW Architecture Awards.^[2] Prior to the Blacket Award, the first regional project to be recognised was the Newcastle Incinerator, winning the 1938 Sir John Sulman Medal.

The award is named for English born architect Edmund Blacket (1817–1883) who rose to become the Colonial Architect of New South Wales (1849–1854) and later architect for University of Sydney. Whilst Colonial Architect he delivered many projects in regional NSW, including a lighthouse and numerous churches.

The NSW Government Architect Office has won the Blacket Prize on seven separate occasions (1964, 1968, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2002 and 2015). The firm of Allen, Jack and Cottier has won the award on five occasions (1966, 1970, 1986, 2007, 2008) and Ancher Mortlock and Woolley were awarded the prize three times (1967, 1969, 1987).

The University of Newcastle as a client has been awarded the prize five times for campus projects: 1967 Union Building, 1969 Staff House, 1995 Design Faculty, 2003 Birabahn Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Centre and 2016 Watt Space Gallery.