Winners of the 2019 Australian Interior Design Awards
The winners of the 2019 Australian Interior Design Awards are here, and their projects are packed full of great ideas
Georgia Madden
7 June 2019
Senior writer, Houzz Australia
The Australian Interior Design Awards are one of the most hotly anticipated events on the design calendar, and for good reason – they celebrate the very best in Australian interior design across residential, public and commercial sectors. It’s that time of year again: the jury has cast its vote and the 2019 winners have been announced. We’ve gathered together the seven residential award winners for your viewing pleasure – and to give you plenty of ideas for your next renovation or redesign.
You can find the full list of winning projects and more images at Australian Interior Design Awards.
You can find the full list of winning projects and more images at Australian Interior Design Awards.
JOINT WINNER RESIDENTIAL DESIGN AWARD AND JOINT WINNER BEST OF STATE FOR RESIDENTIAL DESIGN, VICTORIA
Project: Oak House, Victoria
Designer: Kennedy Nolan
Photography: Derek Swalwell
Project description
This adaptive re-use of a double-fronted Victorian house incorporates a reworking of the existing house, and a new pavilion forming a central courtyard. The house is distinctive for its mature oak tree, which towers above the garden and a red steel brise-soleil (an exterior shading device), which performs many functions, including sun shading.
Project: Oak House, Victoria
Designer: Kennedy Nolan
Photography: Derek Swalwell
Project description
This adaptive re-use of a double-fronted Victorian house incorporates a reworking of the existing house, and a new pavilion forming a central courtyard. The house is distinctive for its mature oak tree, which towers above the garden and a red steel brise-soleil (an exterior shading device), which performs many functions, including sun shading.
Jury comments
Oak House seamlessly integrates interior design and architecture to an exceptionally harmonious end. The jury was impressed by the use of primary colours in this reworking of a double-fronted Victorian cottage, which extends across inside and outside to add drama and a sense of warmth.
Oak House seamlessly integrates interior design and architecture to an exceptionally harmonious end. The jury was impressed by the use of primary colours in this reworking of a double-fronted Victorian cottage, which extends across inside and outside to add drama and a sense of warmth.
Internally, a distinctive architectural sensibility is evident and everything appears sculptural as a result, while the textural materials palette and exquisite detailing highlight the lushness of the interior design.
Find an interior designer on Houzz to help bring your decor dreams to life
Find an interior designer on Houzz to help bring your decor dreams to life
The jury felt it is a highly personalised project designed to suit a very specific brief. It hasn’t been designed for anyone other than the people who live in it and, as such, it’s a dynamic space that the clients can relish experiencing. This idea of not knowing where the architecture and interiors begin and end generates a degree of excitement that makes the design’s concept and aesthetic all the more powerful.
And to cap it all off, there’s a timeless appeal to this project that makes it hard to ignore.
JOINT WINNER RESIDENTIAL DESIGN AWARD AND JOINT WINNER BEST OF STATE FOR RESIDENTIAL DESIGN, VICTORIA
Project: Edsall Street, Victoria
Designer: Ritz&Ghougassian
Photography: Tom Blachford
Project description
Edsall Street is a renovation to a semi-detached Victorian-era property in Malvern, Victoria. Concrete-block walls that form the architectural envelope return in to create seamless laps between interior and exterior. The apertures between the walls create framed views outwards towards neighbouring trees and the garden.
Project: Edsall Street, Victoria
Designer: Ritz&Ghougassian
Photography: Tom Blachford
Project description
Edsall Street is a renovation to a semi-detached Victorian-era property in Malvern, Victoria. Concrete-block walls that form the architectural envelope return in to create seamless laps between interior and exterior. The apertures between the walls create framed views outwards towards neighbouring trees and the garden.
Jury comments
Edsall Street’s mature restraint is extraordinary and makes for a home that’s calming and welcoming. It’s an exquisitely resolved interior with a sense of simplicity and understated yet timeless material execution that highlights the space’s beautiful lines and light.
Edsall Street’s mature restraint is extraordinary and makes for a home that’s calming and welcoming. It’s an exquisitely resolved interior with a sense of simplicity and understated yet timeless material execution that highlights the space’s beautiful lines and light.
A project this restrained is always in danger of appearing to lack in some way, but Edsall Street’s interior feels complete and has so much breathing space. The design proficiency is increasingly revealed with the more time you spend in the house. It is expressed in the way geometries line up horizontally and vertically, speaking to the architects’ deft hand.
A Neglected 1920s Cottage is Reborn as a Modern Family Retreat
A Neglected 1920s Cottage is Reborn as a Modern Family Retreat
The use of concrete blockwork for the walls makes for a powerful statement that’s surprisingly soft and subtle once inside. The jury commends the proportions of the interior spaces. From ceiling heights to the width of each room, everything feels well considered, inviting and finely detailed. This degree of minimalism is difficult to achieve formally and to actually pull it off is not to be underestimated.
For one jury member, this home is a dream house.
WINNER RESIDENTIAL DECORATION
Project: Under The Tree
Designer: Arent&Pyke
Photography: Anson Smart
Project description
The meticulously detailed architectural renovation of a weatherboard cottage in Annandale, NSW, required a decorative approach of heart and soul, warmth and intimate atmospheres. The subsequent collaboration between designers and clients proved to be as organic as the home’s centrepiece – the Ficus lyrata tree that grows up the stairwell.
Project: Under The Tree
Designer: Arent&Pyke
Photography: Anson Smart
Project description
The meticulously detailed architectural renovation of a weatherboard cottage in Annandale, NSW, required a decorative approach of heart and soul, warmth and intimate atmospheres. The subsequent collaboration between designers and clients proved to be as organic as the home’s centrepiece – the Ficus lyrata tree that grows up the stairwell.
Jury comments
There’s been considered reflection on the project’s original architecture and this has driven Arent&Pyke’s decisions. Every corner of every room displays a layering of lush colours and textures and the connection to the garden and natural light is what makes the interior so striking.
The jury was impressed by the scheme’s quiet restraint on one hand and dramatic choices on the other, all of which have been carefully balanced. It’s a beautiful, welcoming and well-curated home that appears like everything in it was given intense scrutiny for a harmonious result.
There’s been considered reflection on the project’s original architecture and this has driven Arent&Pyke’s decisions. Every corner of every room displays a layering of lush colours and textures and the connection to the garden and natural light is what makes the interior so striking.
The jury was impressed by the scheme’s quiet restraint on one hand and dramatic choices on the other, all of which have been carefully balanced. It’s a beautiful, welcoming and well-curated home that appears like everything in it was given intense scrutiny for a harmonious result.
Most importantly, it feels like it was designed for the one family, not just for anyone. In this respect, the project is not generic – it’s a highly personalised interior that’s a unique expression of both the client and designers.
The combination of artwork, a strong tonal palette and clear connection to the outdoors particularly speaks to the soul of the space.
The combination of artwork, a strong tonal palette and clear connection to the outdoors particularly speaks to the soul of the space.
WINNER BEST OF STATE RESIDENTIAL AWARD – NSW
Project: Italianate House
Designer: Renato D’Ettorre Architects
Photography: Justin Alexander
Project description
The restoration and conversion of a heritage-listed 1880s Italianate-style Victorian terrace with carriageway and stables involved a contemporary transformation of the historical house, modification to the stables, design of a courtyard, restoration of original stone fences, and the addition of a concrete carport with a landscaped terrace above.
Project: Italianate House
Designer: Renato D’Ettorre Architects
Photography: Justin Alexander
Project description
The restoration and conversion of a heritage-listed 1880s Italianate-style Victorian terrace with carriageway and stables involved a contemporary transformation of the historical house, modification to the stables, design of a courtyard, restoration of original stone fences, and the addition of a concrete carport with a landscaped terrace above.
WINNER BEST OF STATE RESIDENTIAL AWARD – QUEENSLAND
Project: B&B Residence
Designer: Hogg & Lamb
Photography: Christopher Frederick Jones
Project description
B&B Residence relentlessly pursues the clients’ ambition to explore minimalism in the context of a highly functional and exuberant family home. A restrained materials palette has been carefully selected to highlight the essential qualities of subtropical Brisbane in a heightened atmosphere of calm.
Project: B&B Residence
Designer: Hogg & Lamb
Photography: Christopher Frederick Jones
Project description
B&B Residence relentlessly pursues the clients’ ambition to explore minimalism in the context of a highly functional and exuberant family home. A restrained materials palette has been carefully selected to highlight the essential qualities of subtropical Brisbane in a heightened atmosphere of calm.
WINNER BEST OF STATE RESIDENTIAL AWARD – SA
Project: Malvern Residence
Designer: Williams Burton Leopardi
Photography: Christopher Morrison
Project description
A parched landscape of red-brick paving and west-facing rustic 1980s extensions paid no heed to the charms, orientation or function of this bluestone-return verandah villa. Reclaiming the outdoor through physical and visual connection, and blurring of existing and new spaces, were the driving forces of this project.
Project: Malvern Residence
Designer: Williams Burton Leopardi
Photography: Christopher Morrison
Project description
A parched landscape of red-brick paving and west-facing rustic 1980s extensions paid no heed to the charms, orientation or function of this bluestone-return verandah villa. Reclaiming the outdoor through physical and visual connection, and blurring of existing and new spaces, were the driving forces of this project.
WINNER BEST OF STATE RESIDENTIAL AWARD – WA
Project: The Villa
Designer: Lahaus Studio
Photography: Meghan Plowman
Project description
A renovation of an original home designed by architect Geoffrey Summerhayes in 1988. We aspired to achieve a sophisticated aesthetic with casual undertones that enhanced the classic beauty of the architecture through sympathetic and considered interior design principles.
Your turn
Which of these design ideas would you love to incorporate into your home? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Are you up-to-date with other recent design awards? Catch up here with the latest Award-Winning Homes With Inspiring Colour Schemes
Project: The Villa
Designer: Lahaus Studio
Photography: Meghan Plowman
Project description
A renovation of an original home designed by architect Geoffrey Summerhayes in 1988. We aspired to achieve a sophisticated aesthetic with casual undertones that enhanced the classic beauty of the architecture through sympathetic and considered interior design principles.
Your turn
Which of these design ideas would you love to incorporate into your home? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Are you up-to-date with other recent design awards? Catch up here with the latest Award-Winning Homes With Inspiring Colour Schemes
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Such a diversity in styles. Some homes feel warm and comfortable and others have such austere beauty. Architects are clever people; some clients very brave.
I obviously have no idea about interior design as I find none of these appealing. Some look really seventies (and for anyone who grew up in that time, you look back at it in horror - too much orange, brown and wood), others look cold and impersonal.
Being honest, the only one that stopped me to have a second look was "Under the tree". It felt balanced.