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.
Robson Rak Architects are, as director Chris Rak calls them: “a one stop shop.” Him an interior designer and wife Kathryn Robson an architect, they bring together the skills to take a project from initial designs to the final furnishings.
Chris and Kathryn
“We have a holistic approach,” explains Chris. “With our clients, they don’t need to go anywhere else, we can go right down to the decoration, down to the tiny little details.”
With a fine arts background, Chris also has the skills to design and make furniture, which harps back to his love of providing a complete service. A sculptor for many years, Chris worked primarily in steel, which can now be seen through his custom-made pieces, such as tables and beds and of course, some of his signature sculptures. “There’s always some piece of furniture I’ve made in our projects,” says Chris. “Anything from a table we couldn’t find the right proportions for or an internal wall sculpture.”
A favourite of his projects and one that features his custom joinery is the Toorak Residence: “There was so much to do in this project, from designing the carpet and rugs to making all the furniture. I literally made all that because I wanted a certain look and feel and I thought it’d just be easier for me to get into my studio and build it.”
Toorak Residence
Joining forces in 2007, Chris and Kathryn see their partnership as the primary reason for success. Both bringing different strengths to the firm, they don’t believe in separating roles but blurring the confines of architecture and interiors. “There’s no separation in our work,” explains Chris. “We are constantly in each other’s boundaries which I think is important. There’s also no egos, as we are husband and wife, which makes things a lot easier. We are very much synced and in tune with the end result.”
Merricks Residence
Their partnership has the awards to prove it works, being shortlisted twice in the residential design category of this year’s Australian Interior Design Awards. They’ve also got many projects in the pipeline, undertaking a mix of new builds and renovations, always trying to push the boundaries of design.
Dale House – Shortlisted at Australian Interior Design Awards
But for Chris, it all comes down to one thing and the core quality he believes all designers need: hunger. “You need to be passionate about interior design, architecture, fine arts, in fact all of the arts equally. They all play a part, you can’t separate them, you have to be passionate about all of them.”