Philanthropist and Rich Lister Judith Neilson's new $32-million gallery and performance space in Sydney's Chippendale topped a strong field of high-quality entries in this year's NSW architectural awards, taking out the state's highest overall award, as well as the top gongs for commercial and interior architecture.

The Phoenix Central Park building has a John Wardle Architects-designed gallery and a Durbach Block Jaggers-designed performance space. The two parts are linked centrally by a courtyard and garden and enclosed within the brick building, named after the fire-damaged warehouse that previously sat on its O'Connor Street site.