The 2012 Australian Interior Design Awards , the shortlist for which has been announced, saw a 31% increase in the number of entries, indicating a flourishing local design scene.  

The vibrancy and diversity of the projects submitted across all 15 categories impressed and delighted the eight-member judging panel, prompting some members to observe that Australian designers are leading their field internationally.  

Now in its ninth year, the Australian Interior Design Awards, co-presented by the Design Institute of Australia, designEX and Artichoke is one of Australia’s most prominent and well regarded vehicles for recognising professional interior design.  

The extremely high standard of entries observed at this year’s awards has pleased the judges who have noted the high level of attention and creativity being applied to both public and private projects.  

Entries were submitted from across the country, covering categories as diverse as hospitality and workplace designs, colour in commercial interiors, best international design, plus sustainability advancement.  

Event manager, Jacinta Reedy commented that the Awards received 653 entries this year, an increase of 31% on 2011. Information on winners will be disseminated far and wide with many international publications now reporting on the Awards, bringing Australian designers to the attention of an increasingly global marketplace.  

Judging was supervised by the Design Institute of Australia and the jurors were all eminent design practitioners in their own right. The jury comprised of Robert Backhouse, Managing Director, HASSELL (Vic), Paul Brace, Director of Interiors, Jackson Teece (NSW), Rosina Di Maria, Principal, Woods Bagot (SA), Susan Rossi, Director of Interior Design, DBI Design (Qld), Ryan Russell, Director, Russell & George (Vic), Kirsten Stanisich, Director, SJB (NSW), Daniel Stellini, Director, Carr Design Group (Vic) and Nick Tobias, Director, Tobias Partners (NSW).  

Australian Interior Design Awards categories:  

  • Premier Award, Interior Design Excellence and Innovation
  • Sustainability Advancement Award
  • Residential Design
  • Residential Decoration
  • Retail Design
  • Hospitality Design
  • Workplace Design
  • Public Design
  • Installation Design
  • Best of State Awards for Commercial Design
  • Best of State Awards for Residential Design
  • Best International Design Award
  • Colour in Commercial Design
  • Colour in Residential Design
  • Emerging Interior Design Practice
The Awards will be announced during a gala dinner on Friday 27 April at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, Sydney.