Andrew Donaldson Architecture & Design is a full-service architectural practice that specialises in bespoke residential construction and public art gallery design.

Our particular expertise is in the creative transformation of complex existing buildings, urban environments or natural landscapes.

We are a high energy, optimistic, embedded mentoring studio that values originality, brilliance, relationships, leadership and service.

We are a consistently multi-award-winning, internationally recognised, design focused full-service architectural firm based in Sydney that collaborates nationally.

Our North Curl Curl House won Australia’s highest housing award in 2021: the coveted HIA Australian Home of the Year. It was featured on Grand Designs Australia on Australian Television and on the front cover of The Best of Grand Designs Australia Volume 2 Book in 2019. The house went on to have its European Television Premiere in 2020.

ADAD was featured in Architecture Australia 2017, Architecture Bulletin 2016 and Architectural Review 2015 as an emerging, ambitious Australian architectural practice to watch.

As ADAD clients, whether you are an individual, couple or family undertaking the most major investment of your lives through the creation of your new home – or a corporation, institution or government seeking to balance creative innovation with risk minimisation and demonstrated expertise for the transformation of your gallery asset – with our ADAD team you can be assured that we hold your dreams, budget and deadlines as equally sacred.

With ADAD you will love the entire process – the journey with our team, relationships formed, in addition to your 1-off highly valuable built asset at completion.

Our clients include the City of Sydney, Mid Western Regional Council, The University of Newcastle, Watt Space Gallery, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, the Australian Museum, private companies and private individuals.

Andrew Donaldson is Founder and Director of ADAD. He is a Registered Architect in NSW and QLD with over 20 years experience.

Andrew has travelled the world on multiple architectural scholarships analysing the worlds great houses and galleries, first as the inaugural Eric Parker Memorial Travelling Scholar then as 1 in 5 national winners of the inaugural RAIA Dulux London Study Tour for Emerging Architects.

Graduating from the University of Newcastle, Australia with a Bachelor of Architecture (Honours Class 1) in 2005, Andrew cut his teeth as design architect for the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia at Architect Marshall from conception in 2007 through completion mid 2012.

Upon delivery of the Museum, Andrew Donaldson Architecture and Design was established in Sydney in 2012.

ADAD won the City of Sydney EOI in collaboration with Lochbuild to create Wis(c)h, the William Street Creative Hub, where the ADAD studio was first located. We service clients throughout Sydney City, its Eastern Suburbs and Northern Beaches, to the wider spectacular Australian East Coast from southern NSW to northern QLD from our Surry Hills rooftop studio in Sydney.

Andrew Donaldson works as the principal design architect and project architect on every ADAD project, supported by a growing, very talented creative young team of award winning senior architects, emerging architectural graduates and students.

Andrew Donaldson Architecture & Design is an Australian Institute of Architects A+ practice.

Awards

HIA Australian Home of the Year 2021 – Housing Industry Association National 2021
North Curl Curl House (Winner)

HIA Custom Built Home Award (all budget ranges) – Housing Industry Association National 2021
North Curl Curl House (Winner)

AIA Small Project Architecture Award – Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter 2020
Potts Point Apartment (Winner)

HIA Home of the Year – Housing Industry Association NSW Chapter 2020
North Curl Curl House (Winner)

HIA Custom Built Home Award (all budget ranges) – Housing Industry Association NSW Chapter 2020
North Curl Curl House (Winner)

HIA Custom Built Home Award ($2m – $4m budget range) – Housing Industry Association NSW Chapter 2020
North Curl Curl House (Winner)

AIA Interior Architecture Award – Australian Institute of Architects National Chapter 2020
Potts Point Apartment (National Shortlist)

Houses Awards – Apartment or Unit 2020
Potts Point Apartment (National Shortlist)

Dezeen Awards – House Interior 2020
North Curl Curl House (International Longlist)

Houses Awards – New House over 200sqm 2019
North Curl Curl House (National Shortlist)

National Joinery Award – FIAA Best Built-In Furniture Australia 2018
North Curl Curl House (Winner)

National Architectural Design Award – Realflame Fireplace Design 2017
North Curl Curl House (Winner)

The University of Newcastle Alumni Award for Regional Leadership 2016
Andrew Donaldson (Winner)

AIA Blacket Prize – Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter 2016
Watt Space Gallery (Winner)

AIA Small Project Architecture Award – Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter 2016
Watt Space Gallery (Winner)

AIA Public Architecture Award – Australian Institute of Architects Newcastle Chapter 2016
Watt Space Gallery (Winner)

AIA Small Project Architecture Award – Australian Institute of Architects Newcastle Chapter 2016
Watt Space Gallery (Winner)

National Architectural Design Award – Realflame Fireplace Design 2015
Bondi House (Winner)

City of Sydney EOI – William Street Creative Hub 2013
Wis(c)h (Winner) (ADAD in collaboration with Lochbuild)

National Inaugural RAIA Dulux Study Tour – Australia’s Top 5 Emerging Architects 2008
Andrew Donaldson (Winner)

Inaugural Eric Parker Memorial Travelling Scholarship in Architecture 2001
Andrew Donaldson (Winner)

Publications

“Top Form” – Australian House & Garden, The Ultimate Family Home Issue (2021)
North Curl Curl House

“Urban Theatre” – Belle Magazine, Welcome 2021 Issue (2021)
Potts Point Apartment

“Castle In The Sky” – Grand Designs Australia Issue 9.2 (2020)
North Curl Curl House

“A Cliffhanging Win” – Home Magazine, Saturday Daily Telegraph (2020)
North Curl Curl House

“25 of Australia’s best small houses, apartments and units” – www.vogue.com.au (2020)
Potts Point Apartment

“Headland House” – Grand Designs Australia TV (Channel 4 / UK) (2020)
North Curl Curl House

“Curl Curl” – The Best of Grand Designs Australia Volume 2 (2019)
North Curl Curl House

“Headland House” – Grand Designs Australia TV (Foxtel / Lifestyle) (2019)
North Curl Curl House

“Desert Song” – Home Beautiful Australia Summer 2018/2019 (2018)
Bondi House

“Bondi Modern” – Habitus #34 (2017)
Bondi House

“Research Through Design” – Architecture Australia AA 106 (2017)
Bondi House, North Curl Curl House, Watt Space Gallery

“Architects of Ambition” – Architecture Bulletin AB Spring/Summer (2016)
Andrew Donaldson

“Andrew Donaldson Architecture and Design (ADAD)” – www.australiandesignreview.com (2016)
ADAD

“2016 State Awards” – Architecture Australia AA Sept/Oct (2016)
Watt Space Gallery

“Chapter News” – Architecture Bulletin AB Winter/Spring (2016)
Watt Space Gallery

“New Life for Watt Space” – NBN News (2015)
Watt Space Gallery

“Andrew Donaldson Architecture and Design” – Architectural Review AR 141 (2015)
ADAD Studio Profile

“Out-of-the-Box Design for House on the Hill” – Sun Herald (2015)
North Curl Curl House

“Dazzling Design Winning Over Buyers” – www.domain.com.au (2015)
North Curl Curl House

“William Street becomes Base for New Creative Hub” – www.sydneymedia.com.au (2013)
Wis(c)h

“William Street Creative Hub” – City Central Magazine (2013)
Wis(c)h

“Profile of an Architect” – Wentworth Courier (2012)
Andrew Donaldson

“Critical Thinking” – www.australiandesignreview.com (2012)
Andrew Donaldson

Do you need an architect but feel overwhelmed by where to begin?

Contact us today on (+61) 2 9055 9200 or at info@andrewdonaldson.com.au to schedule your complimentary initial phone consultation.