The finalists have been announced after a panel of judges narrowed down over 400 entries from across Australia and New Zealand. Eight projects from New Zealand have been included on the shortlist, including two student entries from the University of Auckland and Unitec Institute of Technology.

The finalists from New Zealand in the Commercial Interior – Public and Hospitality category are Central Hotel By Naumi by Undercurrent Ltd, Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington by Material Creative and Silverdale Centre Parent Room by Kate Pilot Design. In the Commercial Interior – Workplace and Retail category, My Laundry Bag in Mt Eden by Kate Pilot Design has been shortlisted. Two projects in the Commercial and Multi Residential Exterior category have been named finalists: Waterview Court Development by Ashton Mitchell and Warkworth Primary School by Ignite Architects. Finally, The Jungle Room by Laura Cotterill of Unitec Institute of Technology and The Archipelago Library by Daniel Yip of the University of Auckland have been shortlisted in the Student (Years 1-6) category.

This year’s jury was made up of Auckland’s Patrick Loo, director of Common Space along with Jefa Greenaway, director of Greenaway Architects; Melissa Bright, director of Studio Bright; Sarah-Jane Pyke, co-founding director of Arent & Pyke; and Suzannah Waldron, director of Searle x Waldron Architecture.

Dulux colour specialist Davina Harper noted the impact of the extraordinary challenged this year posed: “We can’t help but view this year’s projects through a slightly different lens. While our focus is always on recognising innovation and excellence in the use of colour, our appreciation is heightened given the challenging climate in which these projects were created and completed.

“Undoubtedly, this has contributed to the increased use of biophilia in design and a swing towards more nurturing tones and natural finishes. The prevalence of concrete, stone and timber, as well as warm metals, paired with warm earthy hues and deep greens and blues, indicates the need for a return to nature and its grounding effect in chaotic times.”

Winners in the Awards’ six categories – Residential Interior, Commercial Interior: Workplace and Retail, Commercial Interior: Public and Hospitality, Commercial and Multi Residential Exterior, Single Residential Exterior and Student (Years 1-6) – will be announced at a gala event in Melbourne later in the year, which will also be live streamed to New Zealand. An overall winner from both Australia and New Zealand will also be named and give the Australian Grand Prix and New Zealand Grand Prix titles. 

See the complete shortlist at dulux.co.nz.