Focused on renovations and fit-outs, the category highlights projects that rethink existing spaces through efficient planning, low-impact materials and reduced energy use, proving that sustainability is just as much about what happens inside a building as it is about the structure itself.

Its importance lies in its immediacy. Interiors are where people spend the majority of their time, making them a powerful touchpoint for environmental performance and human wellbeing.

From material selection to spatial efficiency, these projects demonstrate how thoughtful design can minimise waste, lower emissions and extend the life of existing buildings, an increasingly vital strategy in reducing the overall carbon footprint of the built environment.

Recent winners show how this plays out in practice. In 2025, Boot Factory and Mill Hill Centre Precinct by Archer Office took out the Interior Design category, exemplifying how adaptive reuse and careful material choices can transform existing spaces into high-performing, contemporary environments.

Projects such as Greenhouse Grove and the Arup Brisbane Workplace, both recognised in the same category, further highlight a growing emphasis on workplace wellbeing, resource efficiency and circular design thinking.

What ties these projects together is a clear shift in how interiors are approached, not as superficial layers, but as integral to a building’s sustainability strategy. By prioritising reuse, reducing material waste and creating healthier environments, the category reflects a broader industry move toward more responsible, people-centred design.

As sustainability continues to evolve, the Interior Design category plays a key role in demonstrating how meaningful change can happen within existing footprints. It reinforces the idea that impactful design does not always require starting from scratch; sometimes, the most powerful outcomes come from reimagining what is already there.

Entries for the Sustainability Awards 2026 open on 29 April, inviting the next wave of interior projects to set a new benchmark. For updates on entry openings or to enquire about remaining sponsorship opportunities, please click here.

Image: Boot Factory and Mill Hill Centre Precinct by Archer Office / Photography by Hamish McIntosh | Peter Bennetts | Murray Fredericks

Clémence Carayol

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