The 2015 Dulux Colour Awards winners have been announced, all united by a bold and inventive use of colour on projects that ‘revealed the artist’.

The standout of the night was Grand Prix winner Mim Design, who used subtle ombre colour s that seemed to jump off the wall for the Lexus Design Pavilion. Reminding viewers of French Impressionist works, the installation was praised by judges as a great example of colour expression.

Lexus Pavilion by Mim Design. Images: Sean Fennessy

“Rebalancing the harsh metallic of a Lexus car, the gentle palette helps visitors understand the softness within. The subtle ombre in Dulux Leek and Coral Atoll was used to great effect, providing a dimensional impact which flat colour alone couldn’t achieve,” the jury commented.

“The sage green gives the illusion of a floating sea with the floral ceiling display a beautiful upside down ‘Monet’s Garden’. Truly angelic, the space would be lovely to enjoy a champagne trackside.”

Although Mim Design led the pack, the eight other category winners also impressed the judges with their use of paint to create art references and unique graphics, highlighting the trend away from the minimalist method seen in previous years. Embracing the ‘more is less’ approach, the projects embraced an overwhelming use of colour, yet managed to juggle this colour explosion in a considered approach.

This year’s judging panel includes Andrea Wilson, senior associate at ARM Architecture, Hannah Tribe of Tribe Architects, contemporary artist David Bromley, interior designer and editor of EST magazine Sian MacPherson, and Alice Lines, editor of homestyle from New Zealand. View the full shortlist here.

Full list of winners

Grand Prix Project

Lexus Design Pavilion by Mim Design, VIC

Installation & events

Images: Mim Design

Lexus Design Pavilion by Mim Design, VIC

Multi Residential

Polychrome by David Boyle Architect, NSW

Image: David Boyle

Jury citation: A clever project which managed to juggle various elements and still present a wonderfully cohesive visual. It is reminiscent of a modernist painting and an interesting example that more is less. With red brick remaining in the space, the chosen palette of bright hues including Dulux Lilac Fluff, Hot Lips, High Blue, Vintage Green and many more, is a clever and playful decoy. The judges unanimously awarded this project for the creation of a fun and energetic façade.

Commercial Exterior

Brompton Pavilion by Craig Tan Architects, VIC

Image: Jaime - Copy

Jury citation: The Brompton Pavilion created a dynamic display of colour within a sparse landscape. The 3D outer framing provided a sneak preview of vibrant colour. The structure balanced external, internal and in-between spaces through thoughtful use of colour. The palette combines both muted and bright shades highlighting the unusual structural aspects, including bright oranges and reds in Dulux Circus and Red Clown.

Commendation: Stanmore Library by MAKE Creative

Commercial Interior Workplace & Retail

Koko Black Indooroopilly by Russell & George, QLD

Image: Scott Bur

Jury citation: This fitout replaces the decadence associated with chocolate with clever colour combinations of Tuscan oranges, light blues and copper highlights in a fresh and contemporary palette, creating a welcoming and emotive space. It pushes the boundaries through its bold ceiling which features a sponged down effect on the walls creating an organic feel. Finished with a nice interplay between shadows and tone it was a well-deserved winner.

Commendation: Wunderman/Bienalto by The Bold Collective

Commercial Interior Public Spaces & Hospitality

Phamily Kitchen by Mathew van Kooy, VIC

Image: Dan Aulsebrook

Jury citation: This project was awarded for its boldness and brilliance. A truly evocative fitout, the space transforms from a classic Victorian terrace to a vibrant Vietnam eatery achieved through colour and clever use of fluoro lights. Positioning the design artistically the architect was brave to commit to one colour, Dulux Santorini, at level and colour match all grounded elements creating a daring statement. The look was softened by the addition of Dulux Ice Vovo on the ceiling and Antique White on the upper walls.

Commendations: Rockpool est. 1989 by Grant Cheyne

St Augustine’s Kindergarten by Wilson Architecture

Entrecotè by Flack Studio

Single Residential Exterior

Anglesea House 4 by Emma Mitchell, VIC

Image: Dianna Snape

Jury citation: With an empathy to traditional design and a known difficult structure to work with, Emma Mitchell has created an emboldened space. The design introduces contemporary links through daring colour. Using bright Dulux tones – Succulent and Peppermint Bar – it is balanced by the dark grey Dulux Cave Man, producing a design that is playful but with great honesty and broad appeal.

Single Residential Interior

The Courtyard House by Aileen Sage Architects, NSW

Image: Tom Ferguson

Jury citation: The Courtyard House is an innovative design. Rather than using colour to delineate between zones, it cleverly uses colour in a thought provoking manner, using different combinations to mark your journey through the house. The considered use of colours, not only in the bold and various pops used throughout but also in the neutrals, beautifully highlight and complete a bright and playful palette.

Commendation: The Avenue by Arent & Pyke

International

Otoparae by SPACE Architecture Studio, NZ

Image: Jason Mann

Jury citation: Elegantly executed, Otoparae is a fine example of a contemporary approach to domestic environments. As a comfortable and relaxed space, colour has been used to heighten the experience and initiate a more intimate setting for entertaining.

Student

Concealing the Crisis by Amelyn Ng, VIC

Image: Amelyn Ng

Jury citation: Concealing the crisis cleverly utilises a traditional colour palette to convey a contemporary vision. A difficult and polarising brief which is translated into an interesting and harmonious proposal. The colour palette of Dulux Rodham, Red Stop, Orangeade, Black and Golden Marguerite was considered.

Commendations: Out of the East by Tomoki Takei

Black Box White Cube by Kathleen Duffy

Geraldine Chua

Lexus-Design-Pavilion-by-Mim-Design-wins-Grand-Pri-1736086719.png

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