The Australian War Memorial's new main entrance, delivered by Kane Constructions Pty Ltd, has been awarded Project of the Year at the 2025 ACT Master Builders Excellence Awards.
The project represents a remarkable achievement in blending heritage preservation with modern engineering. Located beneath the Memorial's forecourt, the underground expansion enhances visitor access, security screening, and wayfinding, while carefully maintaining the solemn character of the site.
Memorial Director, Matt Anderson, said the award recognised the complexity involved in delivering the project.
"These awards are a recognition of the vision, care and collaboration that have gone into creating the Memorial's new entrance," Mr Anderson said. "After six years of planning and construction, it is deeply rewarding to see these spaces received so warmly."
"As one of the first impressions visitors receive of the Memorial, the main entrance is a reminder that even as we create new spaces, they remain grounded in our history and purpose."
The new entrance sits beneath the Memorial's heritage entryway and represents a cornerstone of the Memorial Development Project.
At its heart is the Oculus skylight dome, a striking architectural feature, filling the space with light, is an inversion of the green copper dome of the iconic Hall of Memory. Complementing this are two glass installations by Canberra artist Annette Blair suspended over a pair of spiral staircases, evoking sunrise and sunset to provide quiet moments of reflection as visitors move through the new entrance.
The space also features a 250-seat theatre, function room, public amenities, an orientation gallery, and a g retail shop, ensuring visitors can enjoy a welcoming and practical entry point to the nation's place of remembrance.
Wayne Hitches, the Memorial's Executive Program Director, said it is rewarding to see the implementation of the main entrance's vision recognised by the Master Builders Association.
"The main entrance was one of the most technically challenging works ever undertaken at the Memorial," Mr Hitches said. "We set out to create a space that is accessible, practical and respectful of its surroundings, while also offering visitors moments of awe and reflection."
"Building beneath an 83-year-old heritage structure required precision and sensitivity, and this award is a testament to the skill of everyone involved."
In addition to winning Project of the Year, Kane Constructions also received the award for Commercial Construction $50 million to $100 million for the new main entrance. The Memorial's distinctive spiral timber staircases constructed by Details by Ned were also recognised, winning in the Project Displaying Technical Difficulty or Innovation category, along with Best Use of Material award for the Oculus skylight dome, cladding installed by Eifer.
The Memorial's Project Manager, Rebecca Conway, was also celebrated as a finalist in both the Construction Woman of the Year and Project Manager of the Year categories, highlighting the exceptional talent behind the project.
The Project of the Year award reflects the vision and dedication of designers, builders, artists, and Memorial staff who worked together to deliver a facility that both respects the Memorial's historic significance and serves future generations.
