The commendation was awarded to the Transport, Energy and Infrastructure Department on behalf of the Courts Administration Authority last month.

The award is one of two categories in the South Australian chapter awards, which are held annually.

Project architect Denis Harrison said he was pleased to have received the commendation.

He said the project had included South Australian contractors for landscape design, interior design, services engineering, acoustic engineering, structural and civil engineering and construction.

"There were also five artists, three of whom were local indigenous people, who contributed to the unique artwork within the building and in the landscape," Mr Harrison said.

The courts were built to represent the cultural attitudes and beliefs of Aboriginal people.

This included the magistrates courtroom being flexible to administer both traditional and roundtable court hearings, as well as a shelter adjacent to the main building providing an outdoor waiting area and a place for outdoor court sittings.

Waiting spaces and courtrooms are lined with acoustic timber panels, and the landscaping uses plants indigenous to the region.

Ecologically friendly, the building also utilised sustainable development initiatives, including natural and recyclable finishes.

The building was officially launched by Premier Mike Rann in August.