The winners of this year’s Australian Interior Design Awards were announced last Friday at a gala awards presentation. The awards were attended by established practitioners and the rising stars of Australia’s interior design industry and took place at Peninsula in Melbourne’s Docklands.

Among the winners were a crafted and rugged residence in rural Victoria, a tranquil memorial chapel with a considered approach to sustainability, and a woodchip-laden showcase for designer furniture.

The eighth annual Australian Interior Design Awards were co-presented by the Design Institute of Australia, designEX and Artichoke magazine, and the winners of this year’s twelve awards categories represent the diversity and skill of Australian interior design practice - from practices large and small, working with a variety of briefs and budgets.

This year’s Premier Award for Interior Design Excellence and Innovation was presented to Wolveridge Architects for the Hill Plain House, an innovative project that puts a new spin on the idea of the rural Australian home. In recognising the project, the jury commented, “Use of materials and lighting in the project represent a confident interior design philosophy that achieves regional identity and connection in a fresh and unprecedented way.” The jury also praised the project’s environmental credentials, noting its discreet incorporation of sustainable design principles without resorting to a traditional eco aesthetic.

This year’s Australian Interior Design Awards this year incorporated the Sustainability Advancement Award. Selected from winning projects in other categories, the prize was awarded to BVN Architecture’s Puckapunyal Military Area Chapel, that is located in regional Victoria.

The jury was impressed with how the project highlights how sustainability can be expressed without an overt “eco” aesthetic and commented, “The project’s essential purpose and function also contribute to a deeper notion of social sustainability that is mindful of diverse cultures and beliefs.”

Almost five hundred entries were received for this year’s program which provides a unique insight into the ability and quality output of Australian designers, said event manager Jacinta Reedy. “The program goes from strength to strength – this year’s entries demonstrate the creative skills that drive world leading interior design practice in Australia.”

The winning projects in the 2011 Australian Interior Design Awards are:

Premier Award for Interior Design Excellence and Innovation
Winner - Wolveridge Architects for Hill Plain House, Vic

Sustainability Advancement Award
Winner - BVN Architecture for Puckapunyal Military Area Memorial Chapel, Vic

Corporate Design Award
Winner - Wilson Architects for Wilson Architects Office, Qld

Hospitality Design Award
Winner - Bates Smart for Crown Metropol, Vic

Installation Design Award
Winner - Edwards Moore for Fringe Furniture 2010, Vic

Public Design Award
Winner - BVN Architecture for Puckapunyal Military Area Memorial Chapel, Vic

Residential Design Award
Winner - Wolveridge Architects for Hill Plain House, Vic

Residential Decoration Award
Winner - Hare + Klein Interior Design for Federation Revival, NSW

Retail Design Award
Winner - Ryan Russell for Russell & George for Crumpler, Vic

Colour in Residential Design Award
Winner - James Russell Architect for Home, Small Gallery and Office in West End, Qld

Colour in Commercial Design Award
Winner - Herbert & Mason for Bleu, Vic

Emerging Interior Design Practice Award
Winner - Edwards Moore

Detailed information on the winning projects is available from the Australian Interior Design Awards website.