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Aurecon's Design Academy has been named Best in Class in the Design Strategy category at the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards, marking the third major honour for the Academy in its 10th anniversary year.
The award recognises Aurecon’s decade-long investment in developing the judgement, design capability and collaborative thinking its people need to tackle complex client challenges. The Australian Good Design Awards jury described the Academy as “an exemplary model for embedding design capability within a large organisation.”
Established in 2016, the Academy helps experienced practitioners build on their technical expertise. Scholars use human-centred design, systems thinking and applied research to work across disciplines, challenge assumptions and frame problems before developing solutions. This multidisciplinary approach helps teams understand the wider context, apply professional judgement and frame the right problem.
Developed with RMIT University’s School of Property, Construction and Project Management, the three-year Academy combines real-world industry experience with academic research and design practice. Graduates receive a Graduate Certificate in Design Management from RMIT University.
Aurecon Chief Engineering, Eminence and Innovation Officer Tanya de Hoog said this latest recognition demonstrated the value of deliberately developing these capabilities over time.
“Technical excellence and design expertise are the foundation of our work. The challenges our clients bring us also demand judgement: knowing what matters, which assumptions to challenge and how to connect different perspectives,” de Hoog said.
“For ten years, the Design Academy has deliberately developed these capabilities in our people. That is why this recognition matters. It validates an investment in the way our people think, collaborate and solve complex problems for our clients.”
"The Design Academy gives our people the space, tools and confidence to challenge assumptions and explore new possibilities."
Evelyn Storey, Director Eminence & Sustainability
The Good Design Awards jury highlighted the Academy’s use of human-centred design and systems thinking to improve large-scale infrastructure projects. The jury also recognised the measurable impact of Aurecon’s sustained investment with scholar-led initiatives generating significant revenue, creating new services and improving client outcomes.
Aurecon Director Eminence and Sustainability Evelyn Storey said the Academy’s impact extends beyond each individual scholar.
“The Design Academy gives our people the space, tools and confidence to challenge assumptions and explore new possibilities. Over 10 years, it has built a strong community of design leaders who bring sharper thinking to client challenges and help engineer better outcomes.”
Academy alumni apply new approaches and knowledge across their projects and teams, helping colleagues tackle complex challenges with greater confidence.
The Australian Good Design Award follows two other honours for the Design Academy in 2026. The Academy received a Silver Stevie Award in the International Business Awards for Excellence in Industry-Academia Collaboration and was named an Excellence Awardee in the Best Learning and Development Program category at the Australian HR Awards.
Group Director, Brand, Marketing & Communications
Aurecon has been named in the AFR Boss Most Innovative Companies list for 10 consecutive years, reflecting sustained investment in innovation to solve complex problems.
Aurecon's Tanya de Hoog, Chief Engineering, Eminence and Innovation Officer, joins ATSE, recognising global her leadership in engineering excellence.
Aurecon wins multiple honours at Engineers Australia's state and territory Excellence Awards, including Project of the Year for Adelaide Aquatic Centre.
