Whereas the number of entries into the Victorian Architecture Awards had hovered around 200 for the past five years, this year only 10 architects felt their multi-dwelling project was good enough to put forward, down from 16 entries in that category last year, and 30 the year before that.

Architect Stuart Harrison, an author and industry commentator, said the drop in the number of entries might reflect the difficulty in achieving quality design outcomes. "And it probably reinforces the need for quality apartment standards," said Mr Harrison, a director of Harrison and White architects.

An apartment in Upper House, one of this year's award winners.

Although the numbers were down, Jackson Clements Burrows' stunning Upper House in Carlton was the standout winner at the Australian Institute of Architects' awards dinner in Docklands on Friday.

Taking out the award for residential architecture (multiple housing) was Upper House by Jackson Clements Burrows. Photo: supplied

The white tower on the corner of Swanston and Queensberry streets won the top award for best multiple-dwelling housing.

The 17-storey tower was completed for developers Piccolo, which worked with Melbourne City Council on a design that exceeded the recommended 12-storey height limit for the site but was accepted by planners because of its exemplary design. It features a large communal outdoor space on level 11 with panoramic views of the city.

Each of the building's 110 apartments has a balcony projecting out into the street. They were built off-site and craned into place by builders Hamilton Marino.

The apartment tower, right next to one of the city's busiest tram routes and 600 metres from Melbourne Central railway station, was not required to have car parking spaces built beneath it, although it does have plenty of bike parking.

The development, the institute's jury found, "does for Melburnians what so many before it have failed to do": provide meticulously planned places to live, while also giving something back to the street.

In the other residential categories, Andrew Maynard Architects won the alterations and additions award for their Tower House, a renovation to a weatherboard home in Alphington. 

Andrew Maynard Architects' Tower House took out the award for alterations and additions. Photo: Peter Bennetts

The award for best new house went to North Melbourne architects tUG workshop, for their Bethanga House at Lake Hume.

The Bethanga House by tUG workshop. Photo: supplied

And the award for the best small project architecture went to Jackson Clements Burrows for their Moonlight Cabin, a tiny four-bed holiday home perched atop cliffs on the rugged Victorian coastline in the state's west.

Moonlight Cabin by Jackson Clements Burrows. Photo:Jeremy Weihrauch

But the big winner of the night was ARM Architecture, which took Victoria's most prestigious prize, the Victorian Architecture Medal, for their work on the Shrine of Remembrance, along with awards for best heritage and best public architecture.

The Shrine of Remembrance, a project by ARM Architecture. Photo:John Gollings

ARM's Galleries of Remembrance won unanimous support from jurors for reinforcing the Shrine "in the cultural and civic fabric of Melbourne".

Rounding out the top 10 awards at the Victorian Architecture Awards 2015:

Interior Architecture: Melbourne University School of Design – John Wardle Architects and NADAAA

Urban Design: Monash University North West Precinct – Jackson Clements Burrows and MGS

Educational Architecture: Penleigh and Essendon Grammar Middle Girls School – McBride Charles Ryan

Sustainable Architecture: Library at The Dock – Clare Design and Hayball

Enduring Architecture: Domain Park Apartments – Grounds Romberg Boyd