The awards celebrate the best in architecture from across country NSW.

Phoenix House and Town Beach public amenities both by Chris Jenkins Design are vying for awards in the Residential Architecture – Houses (New) and Public and Commercial Architecture categories respectively.

Coastlands House by Ian Sercombe Architect is also competing in the Residential Architecture – Houses (New) category.

True to its name, Phoenix House, built on a site rendered potentially unbuildable due to bush fire hazard, uses good design to deliver an exceptional house from the proverbial ashes.

The Town Beach Public Amenities project delivers an ’iconic’ community structure, the centrepiece of the town's main beach, within a constrained budget.

The building’s functional requirements provided inspiration for a roof that resembles a kite blowing in the wind, anchored by two steel struts like a surfer's arms clasping a towel.

Coastlands House is a modern, functional and energy efficient family home that connects its occupants to the environment and maximises the ocean and headland views to the south of the steep, elevated site.

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 three contenders are among 19 projects competing in seven award categories.

Winners of the seven categories will be decided by a panel of expert judges from the industry.

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