Interior Design
Uncontrived is Back! The 2022 Australian Interior Design Awards
We invite you to step inside Australia's best homes, which have just been honoured with a prestigious design award
Ever wondered what the finest homes in the country look like from the inside? Well, wonder no more – the winners of the 2022 Australian Interior Design Awards have just been announced, celebrating the very best in residential design, decorating, hospitality, public and retail interiors. Here, we present the winning homes from the residential categories – a feast for the eyes and a great source of inspiration for your home.
You can find the full list of winning projects and more photos at Australian Interior Design Awards.
You can find the full list of winning projects and more photos at Australian Interior Design Awards.
Jury comments (Residential Design Awards – Victoria): Stable & Cart House beautifully balances the retention of an existing building with very bold and practical new insertions. There is a real sense of the heritage nature of the original structure and the new elements make it even more appealing.
The jury acknowledged that reusing a big, dark space for residential living posed challenges and so were especially impressed by the transformation.
Cutting in a courtyard to bring in natural light and air creates a stunning intervention, while the new material palette contrasts with the old, highlighting what was already there.
There’s nothing self-conscious about this project and its honesty is complemented by the striking rawness of the existing building. The design’s balance and restraint makes it simply amazing.
The jury acknowledged that reusing a big, dark space for residential living posed challenges and so were especially impressed by the transformation.
Cutting in a courtyard to bring in natural light and air creates a stunning intervention, while the new material palette contrasts with the old, highlighting what was already there.
There’s nothing self-conscious about this project and its honesty is complemented by the striking rawness of the existing building. The design’s balance and restraint makes it simply amazing.
WINNER RESIDENTIAL DECORATION AWARD
Project: Troye Sivan House
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Flack Studio
Photography: Anson Smart
Project description: A tri-level Melbourne home, originally a 19th-century hardball court set in a mews square that reminds of residential London, transformed by architect John Mockridge in 1970 into Australia’s first warehouse conversion.
Transformed back to its bohemian spirit by honouring the original architecture, fit for a prince.
Inspired to unleash the design potential in your own home? Find a local architect on Houzz
Project: Troye Sivan House
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Flack Studio
Photography: Anson Smart
Project description: A tri-level Melbourne home, originally a 19th-century hardball court set in a mews square that reminds of residential London, transformed by architect John Mockridge in 1970 into Australia’s first warehouse conversion.
Transformed back to its bohemian spirit by honouring the original architecture, fit for a prince.
Inspired to unleash the design potential in your own home? Find a local architect on Houzz
Jury comments: The jury unanimously agreed that Troye Sivan House was the standout in the category. It displays a strong sense of the client’s character through a beautiful curation of art, furniture, lighting and objects in a way that doesn’t feel forced or contrived.
In terms of scale, it’s very appealing because it achieves so much in such a small space. The designer has respected the building and celebrated the original architecture by John Mockridge, elevating it to a whole other level.
One jury member commented on the seamless execution and how it feels like you can actually live in it, while another noted the project has a wonderful spirit that is overwhelmingly endearing and WIuplifting.
In terms of scale, it’s very appealing because it achieves so much in such a small space. The designer has respected the building and celebrated the original architecture by John Mockridge, elevating it to a whole other level.
One jury member commented on the seamless execution and how it feels like you can actually live in it, while another noted the project has a wonderful spirit that is overwhelmingly endearing and WIuplifting.
WINNER BEST OF STATE AWARD FOR RESIDENTIAL DESIGN – NEW SOUTH WALES
Project: Laneway Glass House
Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Brad Swartz Architects and industrial designer Henry Wilson
Photography: Katherine Lu
Project description: An architect and industrial designer collaborate on a laneway house combining a work studio and two-bedroom home on a tiny 56-square-metre footprint.
Project: Laneway Glass House
Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Brad Swartz Architects and industrial designer Henry Wilson
Photography: Katherine Lu
Project description: An architect and industrial designer collaborate on a laneway house combining a work studio and two-bedroom home on a tiny 56-square-metre footprint.
Bookended by glass-block walls that softly diffuse light throughout, the house revolves around a concrete spiral staircase rising through its three luminous levels.
WINNER BEST OF STATE AWARD FOR RESIDENTIAL DESIGN – SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Project: Rose Park House
Location: Rose Park, South Australia
Designer: studio gram
Photography: Timothy Kaye
Project description: Rose Park House is best described as a project of discovery. From the street, this Queen Anne Villa appears like any other. However, beneath the surface lies a series of spaces unique in their expression, yet consistent in their approach, resulting in an architecture that is completely unexpected.
Project: Rose Park House
Location: Rose Park, South Australia
Designer: studio gram
Photography: Timothy Kaye
Project description: Rose Park House is best described as a project of discovery. From the street, this Queen Anne Villa appears like any other. However, beneath the surface lies a series of spaces unique in their expression, yet consistent in their approach, resulting in an architecture that is completely unexpected.
WINNER BEST OF STATE AWARD FOR RESIDENTIAL DESIGN – QUEENSLAND
Project: Toowong Lighthouse
Location: Toowong, Queensland
Designer: Alcorn Middleton
Photography: Jad Sylla
Project description: Beyond the ridge line of this picturesque 1930s Californian Bungalow home, an alteration and addition, suitable for the maturing family of five, sits politely nestled behind the existing abode.
Project: Toowong Lighthouse
Location: Toowong, Queensland
Designer: Alcorn Middleton
Photography: Jad Sylla
Project description: Beyond the ridge line of this picturesque 1930s Californian Bungalow home, an alteration and addition, suitable for the maturing family of five, sits politely nestled behind the existing abode.
Toowong Lighthouse triumphantly celebrates the timeless elegance of bricks, exemplifying a rhythmic colonnade that continues into a masterfully vaulted ceiling
Each design intervention responded to the oddities of this unique house, with careful consideration for the many layers of history while embedding the character and style of its current owners.
WINNER BEST OF STATE AWARD FOR RESIDENTIAL DESIGN – WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Project: Lewis House
Location: Perth, WA
Designer: Iota and Studio Roam
Photography: Jack Lovel
Project description: A full-site excavation of a heritage-listed 1940s Spanish Mission style home in order to reconfigure it for contemporary life.
Project: Lewis House
Location: Perth, WA
Designer: Iota and Studio Roam
Photography: Jack Lovel
Project description: A full-site excavation of a heritage-listed 1940s Spanish Mission style home in order to reconfigure it for contemporary life.
WINNER BEST OF STATE AWARD FOR RESIDENTIAL DESIGN – AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Project: Red Hill Residence
Location: Red Hill, ACT
Designer: SJS Interior Design
Photography: Tom Ferguson
Project description: The Red Hill Residence is a grand family home set among breathtaking scenery.
Project: Red Hill Residence
Location: Red Hill, ACT
Designer: SJS Interior Design
Photography: Tom Ferguson
Project description: The Red Hill Residence is a grand family home set among breathtaking scenery.
A sense of levity and softness was imbued within the impressive Oriental architectural details through the inclusion of curvaceous forms and lighter, brighter colours and textures that popped against the clients’ private art collection.
WINNER BEST OF STATE AWARD FOR RESIDENTIAL DESIGN – TASMANIA
Project: Mays Point
Location: South Arm Peninsula, Tasmania
Designer: Tanner Architects
Photography: Adam Gibson
Project description: A coastal retreat for family and guests. A durable structure enables subdued spaces that bring focus to the expansive seascape location.
Project: Mays Point
Location: South Arm Peninsula, Tasmania
Designer: Tanner Architects
Photography: Adam Gibson
Project description: A coastal retreat for family and guests. A durable structure enables subdued spaces that bring focus to the expansive seascape location.
The gallery of landscape beyond dominates the interior, allowing confident, natural finishes to create a restful quality to the experience.
Your turn
Which of these spaces impresses you most? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more award-winning Australian homes? Check out this story: Inspo Alert! See the Winners of the Dulux Colour Awards 2022
Your turn
Which of these spaces impresses you most? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more award-winning Australian homes? Check out this story: Inspo Alert! See the Winners of the Dulux Colour Awards 2022
Project: Stable & Cart House
Location: North Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Clare Cousins Architects
Photography: Sharyn Cairns
Project description: Originally a stable and cart store, Stable & Cart House is a sensitive adaptation in North Melbourne. The design challenge presented a paradox; to introduce the obligatory domestic program while preserving the warehouse scale of the interior and engaging thoughtfully with the imperfections and idiosyncrasies of the 1920s brick warehouse.
Jury comments (Premier Awards): Jury members unanimously agreed that Stable & Cart House is the absolute standout project across all categories by clearly being an exemplary piece of work. What resonates most is the authenticity of the design and the way it has been conceived to be lived in, not just looked at.
The material palette not only reflects a sustainable approach to how people live, but displays a responsive understanding of an Australian design language that supports the opportunity for the house to age gracefully.
A bold use of colour and detail is neither ostentatious or working too hard. It is sublime in every way.