The shortlisted projects were a stellar bunch so weโve no doubt the judges had a hard time choosing the winners for the 2019 Australian Interior Design Awards recently. And this certainly seems to be the case for the โResidential Designโ award which was handed down to joint winners โ โOak Houseโ by Kennedy Nolan and โEdsall Streetโ by RITZ&GHOUGASSIAN.
Both projects were celebrated for managing an exceptional and seamless balance between inside and out as well as for their cohesive material application and compelling use of colour. The jury also praised the bespoke and very individual nature of the projects, both of which are located in Victoria.
โBoth residences very much feel like theyโve been designed specifically for the people who live in them and exemplify the way in which designers are currently personalising spaces. Not only are they meeting the brief, but theyโre taking design to the next level by making it appear unabashedly personal,โ says the jury.
While Kennedy Nolanโs ‘Caroline House’ project has already won a couple of awards, this time it was their โOak Houseโ project that made the jury take notice – specifically for its use of primary colour.ย โInternally, a distinct architectural sensibility is evident, and everything appears sculptural as a result, while the textural material palette and exquisite detailing highlight the lushness of the interior design. And to cap it all off, thereโs a timeless appeal to this project that makes it hard to ignore,โ says the jury.
The other joint winner of the โResidential Designโ award, RITZ&GHOUGASSIANโs โEdsall Streetโ project, was celebrated for its mature restraint and calm and welcoming feel.
โItโs an exquisitely resolved interior with a sense of simplicity and understated yet timeless material execution that highlights the spaceโs beautiful lines and light. A project this restrained is always in danger of appearing to lack in some way, but Edsall Streetโs interior feels complete and has so much breathing space,โ says the jury who also praised the project for the proportions of its interior spaces.
โFrom 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,โ says the jury.
For the second year running, the โResidential Decorationโ award was given to Arent & Pyke – this timeย for its stunning โUnder the Treeโ project. Continuing the firm’s winning streak, this project also took out the ‘Best Residential Interior’ award at theย 2019 Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards recently.
โThis project is a unique expression of the client, not to mention an outstanding study in styling and decoration. 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 schemeโs quiet restraint on one hand and dramatic choices on the other, all of which have been carefully balanced.โ
