Schools, libraries, hospitals, private homes, restaurants, cinemas and art galleries are among the 80 finalists announced for the 2016 Dulux Colour Awards. The 30th edition of the Dulux Colour Awards received a record-breaking 256 entries from across Australia and New Zealand.

The Dulux Colour Awards recognises and rewards the best application of colour to transform a space, with awards given across nine categories:

Commercial Interior - Public Space & Hospitality (15 finalists) and Office Fitout & Retail (10 finalists)
Commercial Exterior (9 finalists)
Single Residential Interior (15 finalists)
Single Residential Exterior (9 finalists)
Multi Residential Interior (4 finalists)
Multi Residential Exterior (5 finalists)
Installation and Events (4 finalists)
International (6 finalists)
Student (3 finalists)

Observing that the 2016 submissions were more playful and experimental than ever, with colour utilised in bold and unexpected ways, Dulux Colour Planning and Communication Manager, Andrea Lucena-Orr said they were thrilled to see entries pushing the boundaries of colour application and incorporating both futuristic and retrospective elements, all fitting with this year’s focus on the evolution of colour in design and architecture.

According to Lucena-Orr, commercial entries took a daring and innovative approach, transforming structures and spaces into a canvas. While the Commercial Exterior category showcased colour blocking and patterns, with colour cleverly applied to highlight architectural features, the Commercial Interior categories saw an emergence of metallic shades, geometric shapes and hidden reveals of brighter colours.

Residential entries featured exteriors dominated by whites, neutrals and earthy tones to achieve a cohesive elegance, while application created interest through multi-layered textures. In the Residential Interior category, pastels and soft tones were popular, with accents of vibrant colour applied to doors, ceilings and cornices.

The 2016 Dulux Colour Awards finalists will be judged by a panel of design leaders, including Meryl Hare – Principal at Hare + Klein Interior Design; Clare Cousins – Director at Clare Cousins Architects; James Harper – Principal at Brooking Harper and Director at Design Institute of Australia; Matt Gibson - Director at Matt Gibson Architecture + Design; and Alex Fulton - Director at Alex Fulton Design (NZ).

Winners of the 2016 Dulux Colour Awards will be announced at a gala event in Melbourne on Thursday 28 April, 2016.

The complete list of 2016 Dulux Colour Awards finalists can be viewed on the Dulux website.

Image: Geelong Library by ARM Architecture - Photo John Gollings

Architecture & Design Team

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