Anyone who’s done their time in a shambolic share house or struggled to keep their desk clean can tell you that your physical environment has an overwhelming effect on your mood.
Back for its 22nd year, the annual Australian Interior Design Awards has announced a shortlist of 195 entries that represent the best in residential, commercial and public design.
This year’s jury is chaired by Geraldine Maher, the director of Maher Design Studio in Victoria. Also on the jury are design industry luminaries like Katherine Ashe from WA-based Vittino Ashe and Maria Correia, a partner at Queensland’s Gray Puksand. Three Victoria-based designers are on the panel, including Ben Edwards, the founding director of Studio Edwards, Peta Heffernan of Liminal Studio, and Damien Mulvihill of Design Office. From NSW, Will Fung of Co-Ap, Shona McElroy of Smac Studio and Tamara White of Warren and Mahoney round out the list.
Thirty-five venues were named in the hospitality design category.
In Victoria, notable nominees include Sorrento Bathhouse (Davidov Architects), a 1000-square-metre relaxation destination; The Standard X (Hecker Guthrie), the first Australian property for the luxury hotel chain; and Juni (Techne Architecture and Interior Design) from acclaimed chef Michael Lambie.
More NSW venues made the list than any other state, including Neil Perry’s Song Bird (Acme + Caon Design Office) and Japanese dining destination Prefecture 48 (Bates Smart). Three venues within Sydney’s Wunderlich Lane got a nod: Bar Julius and The Eve Hotel (both by SJB) as well as Olympus, the showstopping Greek restaurant designed by George Livissianis.
In Queensland, seven projects made the list, including the riverfront Supernormal (Acme), 10-seater bar +81 Aizome (Derlot) and underground Hong Kong dumpling bar Central (J.AR Office).
Three venues from South Australia got a look-in – Coopers Brand Home, Latteria and Monarto Safari Resort – all by Studio Gram. Fine diner Gibney, designed by Rezen Studio, was the only WA venue to make the shortlist. Lunetta (Acme) was the ACT’s only representative on the list.
Other award categories include residential design, residential decoration, retail design, installation design, public design and workplace design. The full shortlist is available online. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Melbourne on Friday June 6.
