Showcasing the best of Australian interior design, the winners of the prestigious 2015 Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) have just been announced. And my oh my, do we have some beauties!
Designer: John Wardle Architects with NADAAA Photographer: Peter Bennetts; John Gollings; Nils Koenning
Now in its 13th year, the highly coveted Overall Winner was taken out by John Wardle Architects with NADAAA for the Melbourne School of Design at the University of Melbourne. Part wonder, part utility, the building engages with students as a functional place of learning, while posing extraordinary architectural conundrums for the students to consider.
Designer: Arent&Pyke. Photographer: Felix Forest
The residential winners, which let’s admit are always a favourite, saw Arent&Pyke receive the Residential Decoration award for Figtree House. Transforming a beachside Victorian terrace into a home, the design evokes different moods while still being flexible to the needs of a young family. As such, the spaces reflect their purpose: from the composed inky solemnity of the intimate formal zones to the sun bleached lightness of the casual family zones.
Designer: MAKE Architecture. Photographer: Peter Bennetts
The Residential Single award went to MAKE Architecture for the Local House. Inspiration for this extension came from thinking about how this family live and enjoy life. Spaces are playful – conceived more like a favourite local cafe than a private house, reflecting the family’s desire to create a home that allows them to connect with friends, family and their local community.
Designer: Jackson Clements Burrows. Photographer: John Gollings; Shannon McGrath
Finally the Residential Multi award was received by Jackson Clements Burrows for the Upper House, which demonstrates a clarity in urban composition and a social program that engages with its context in a new and positive way. Central to the project, a communal space that is both social and environmental. The unique composition of the building allows the upper levels to float like a cloud.
The awards program receives hundreds of submissions from around the country each year and is recognised as Australia’s premium independent awards program.
Last week we spoke to 10 of Melbourne’s top interior designers and had them recommend their favourite Melbourne homewares stores. Today it’s Sydney’s turn!
Ioanna Lennox of Ioanna Lennox Interiors:West Elm is my go-to place if I need something to add to an already defined style or existing room or, equally, if I need to pick out some feature items as a starting point for a space. West Elm has everything from contemporary and modern American furniture, rugs, pre-made curtains and soft furnishings to beautiful accents and kitchenware that would enhance any space. The West Elm style is warm, textured and relaxed and fits so well into our contemporary Australian design aesthetic.
Ioanna
Jeremy Bull of Alexander &CO:The creation of cultural brain trust Nicholas Barber (also one of the more lovely human beings you are likely to meet) Dunlin is a beautiful curation of nostalgia and craft. We haven’t found a project yet where there isn’t a great place for a handmade wicker basket, suspended glass terrarium or mast light fitting, and there is never a reason not to have him visit our studio.
Jeremy
Meryl Hare of Hare + Klein:My favourite homewares store is Spence & Lyda. They vary their merchandise and often have one-offs, so they keep us interested! They also have a range of Ruth Levine’s beautiful vessels and totems, a personal favourite.
Spence & Lyda
Christopher Polly of Christopher Polly Architect:Top3 By Design is a favourite, as I’ve found myself consistently revisiting their store due to their broad range of products. They offer good design, ranging from simple to eclectic pieces and they regularly refresh with new products. They have a great mix of lighting, homewares and accessories for utilitarian or decorative purposes.
Christopher
Virginia Kerridge of Virginia Kerridge Architect:My favourite homewares store is Chee Soon & Fitzgerald, and it’s also my local as they are on Regent St, Redfern. It’s a small store but they have lots of quality things, and the fact that it is small means you aren’t overwhelmed by choice as is so often the case! They have a great mixture of products from ceramics and textiles to lighting and gifts. Also you have the added bonus of having a laugh with them every time you visit!
Chee Soon & Fitzgerald
Brendan Wong of Brendan Wong Design: Now in their 30th year, Dinosaur Designs are known for their signature resin pieces. The forms are so fascinating and when placed near a window they illuminate beautifully. They are now working with other diverse materials including brass, silver and agate. They have taken their pieces around the world but their original Paddington store is still at the heart. You’ll find bright resin vases or subdued ceramic bowls, something for every interior.
Brendan
Brad Swartz of Brad Swartz Architect: One of my favourite homewares stores is Catapult Design in Darlinghurst. They have a beautiful collection of furniture from both established and up and coming Australian designers. The finely crafted and minimalistic design of many of their pieces means their furniture can either be a signature piece or sit back and let the architecture, view or artwork take centre stage.
Catapult Designs
Sarah-Jane Pyke of Arent&Pyke: Small Spaces in Redfern is such a rare gem, unlike any other retail experience in Sydney. It is such a beautiful space, part art gallery and part homewares store, with a selection of furniture pieces to suit small homes. A visit to Small Spaces is always inspiring. In this era of mass production, everything in the store feels like a rare treasure, with a strong sense of its maker. As much as the store changes, it maintains its peaceful, light filled calm. You feel like you could move in and spend the rest of your days drinking tea.
Sarah (left) and co-director Juliette Arent
Anoushka Allum of SmartSpace Interiors: I’m always shopping at Papaya in Mosman. I find that the tranquil style and paired back colours that they stock work with almost any interior. I’m a big fan of their pendant lighting, vessels, vases and candle holders. The designs are beautiful and use lots of natural materials. If you’re looking to dress your dining table this is also where I would recommend you go. Placemats, cutlery and crockery all in beautiful natural colours and designs make for a stunning table when entertaining.
Papaya
Chloe Matters of TomMarkHenry: MCM House is my favourite as it typifies some of my most admired elements: neutral and relaxed tones and textures that work in simple harmony. They also mix these simple pieces with wares that have a slight modern, oriental twist. This understated look is powerful and represents a tranquility that I appreciate in design.
Chloe (left) and co-directors Jade Nottage and Cushla McFadden
We hope you found this list useful. Please let us know what you’d add!
Planchonella House QLD by Jesse Bennett Architect. Photo by Sean Fennessy
The shortlisted projects for the 2015 Australian Interior Design Awards have been announced and boy oh boy, are they gorgeous. Our favourite interiors, are as usual, in the residential design and residential decoration categories. Check out the stunning shortlists below!
Residential Design
Alfred Street Residence
VIC by studio four. Photo by Shannon McGrath
Doll’s House VIC by BKK Architects. Photo by Shannon McGrath
West End Redevelopment
QLD by jenhands design. Photo by Carole Margand
Jersey Rd NSW by Smart Design Studio. Photo by Sharrin Rees
Walsh Street South Yarra
VIC by Neometro and Carr Design Group Collaboration. Photo by Derek Swalwell
Planchonella House QLD by Jesse Bennett Architect. Photo by Sean Fennessy
Tennyson Point House
NSW by Greg Natale Design. Photo by Anson Smart
The Man Cave NSW by Allen Jack+Cottier. Photo by AJ + C Photography
HORIZON Apartment
NSW by STEPHEN COLLIER ARCHITECTS. Photo by Peter Bennetts
Tower House VIC by Andrew Maynard Architects. Photo by Peter Bennetts
Abstract House VIC by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design. Photo by Shannon McGrath
Courtyard House VIC by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design. Photo by Shannon McGrath
Concrete House VIC by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design. Photo by Derek Swawell
Bridport Terrace VIC by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design. Photo by Shannon McGrath
The Bride & Groom VIC by Russell & George. Photo by Paul Martin
THE STRAND VIC by Whiting Architects. Photo by Sharyn Cairns.
Beach Ave VIC by Schulberg Demkiw Architects. Photo by Derek Swalwell
Currawenna House
NSW by Hare + Klein. Photo by Jenni Hare
Inner City Terrace, Melbourne – ‘True Blue Terrace’ VIC by Pleysier Perkins & Nexus Designs Collaboration. Photo by James Geer
Lake Wendouree Residence
VIC by John Wardle Architects. Photo by Peter Bennetts
Medindie Residence
SA by Williams Burton Architecture + Interior Design. Photo by Christopher Morrison
Stepping House
VIC by Bower Architecture. Photo by Shannon McGrath
Dock Street Warehouse QLD by Surroundings Architects. Photo by Camera Obscura
Local House VIC by MAKE Architecture. Photo by Peter Bennetts
Theresa Street Residence VIC by Sonelo Design Studio. Photo by Peter Bennetts
Malvern House VIC by Robson Rak Architects. Photo by Lisa Cohen
Kerferd VIC by Whiting Architects. Photo by Sharyn Cairns
Darlinghurst Apartment
NSW by Brad Swartz. Photo by Katherine Lu
Residential Decoration
The Domain Residence
VIC by Travis Walton Architecture & Interior Design. Photo by Derek Swalwell
Lace House VIC by Susi Leeton Architects + Interiors, with Allison Pye Interiors. Photo by Shannon McGrath
Abstract House VIC by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design. Photo by Shannon McGrath
Courtyard House VIC by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design. Photo by Shannon McGrath
Annandale House NSW by Greg Natale Design, Ian Moore Architects. Photo by Anson Smart
True Blue Terrace VIC by Nexus Designs. Photo by James Geer
Park View House NSW by Arent&Pyke. Photo by Felix Forest
Figtree House NSW by Arent&Pyke and Jason Sullivan. Photo by Felix Forest
Darling Point Pied-á-terre
NSW by Sarah Davison Interior Design. Photo by Anson Smart
Victoria House NSW by Brendan Wong Design. Photo by Maree Homer
The Strand VIC by Whiting Architects. Photo by Sharyn Cairns
Kirribilli Apartment NSW by Hare + Klein. Photo by Jenni Hare
Cliff Top House NSW by Hare + Klein. Photo by Jenni Hare
Curraweena House
NSW by Hare + Klein. Photo by Jenni Hare
Hall House VIC by Sisalla Interior Design. Photo by Eve Wilson
Kerferd VIC by Whiting Architects. Photo by #TAG_PHOTOGRAPER#
Crescent Moon VIC by Atticus & Milo. Photo by Derek Swalwell
Now in their twelfth year, the Australian Interior Design Awards are co-presented by the Design Institute of Australia, Artichoke and Diversified Communications Australia. They celebrate the outstanding design skills of established practices and emerging talents across Australia, with this year’s competition seeing over 400 entries across the program’s 14 categories.
The winners will be announced at a gala event at Melbourne’s Sofitel on Collins on Friday 15 May. To see more of the shortlisted projects, visit the website.
Entries are now open for the 2015 Australian Interior Design Awards, with Australia’s leading design professionals invited to share their most inspiring interior projects.
2014 Residential Decoration winner Arent&Pyke
Recognising innovative thinking and visionary solutions in interior design since their establishment in 2004, the awards are co-presented by the Design Institute of Australia, designEX and Artichoke magazine. Online registrations are now open and entries can be submitted online until Friday 12 February 2015.
This year, the Australian Interior Design Awards welcomes an exciting new category – the Award for Interior Design Impact. This award will recognise the significant influence of interior design on the business, social, human resource, environmental and/or cultural outcomes of a project. In addition to this award, the program recognises achievement across the whole spectrum of interior design practice.
Categories include the Premier Award for Australian Interior Design, Sustainability Advancement, Emerging Interior Design Practice, Residential Design, Residential Decoration, Retail Design, Hospitality Design, Workplace Design, Public Design, Installation Design, Best of State for Commercial Design, Best of State for Residential Design and Best International Design.
Once again, the awards will be judged by experienced practitioners. This year’s jury comprises of Dan Cox, Carr Design Group (Vic); Hamish Guthrie, Hecker Guthrie (Vic); Genevieve Lilley, Genevieve Lilley Architects (Tas); Robyn Lindsey, Geyer (Vic); Geraldine Maher, Jackson Interiors (Vic); Sarah-Jane Pyke, Arent & Pyke (NSW); Brenton Smith, Bates Smart (NSW); and Hamilton Wilson, Wilson Architects (Qld). John Gersakis, InfoActiv (Vic), is the sustainability advisor, and Joanne Cys, associate professor in interior architecture at the University of South Australia is the jury convenor.
