The project by Regional Architects Pty Ltd is vying for honours in both the Vision and Public and Commercial Architecture award categories.

Opened in May last year, the project was Australia's first services-autonomous medical centre. It is an iconic, environmentally sustainable building that nestles into its rural environment.

Regional Architects describe it as “a building built by locals for locals with local knowledge and materials”.

NSW Country Division Chair, Sarah Aldridge, said the awards now in their 52nd year are an important way to showcase outstanding architecture outside the main city and metropolitan centres.

“Regional, rural and remote Australia is home to some of the best projects the architectural profession has to offer,” Ms Aldridge said.

“Australia’s unique landscapes offer both challenges and opportunities to apply leading- practice architectural design.

“Here in the country there is a sharp focus on sustainability, amenity with the local environment, and the very real benefits good architecture brings to the community.”

The Dorrigo Health and Wellbeing Medical Centre is one of 19 projects competing in seven award categories. Winners of the seven categories will be decided by a panel of expert judges from the industry, with a final category to be decided by members of the public who can show their support for a local, or favourite, project by voting in the People’s Choice Award before 5pm on September 22.

Cast your vote at https://nationalarchitecture.awardsplatform.com/entry/vote/bpQXvPkY

The award winners will be announced at the NSW Country Division’s Annual Conference on 29 September 2016.

Since its inception in 1960, the NSW Country Division has provided continuous representation and service to NSW regional architects of the Australian Institute of Architects outside the metropolitan areas of Sydney and Newcastle.