Material Creative, Izzard Design and CTRL Space are amongst those shortlisted for a 2022 Eat Drink Design Award. The award winners will be announced at Two Ton Max in North Melbourne on Thursday 10 November.

Eat Drink Design Awards jury chair, Cassie Hansen explained that much like our brains reaching for crusty bread or delicious sweet gelato when we are stressed, we are craving comfort from our venues in a time of unrest.

“We are certainly seeing a desire for nostalgia at present — diners and designers are seeking comfort to soothe our tired brains. In this not-quite-post-Covid period, the interiors and design we saw entered this year evoke a comfortable ease, and a longing for familiar and humble interiors that remind us of yesteryear — of Nonna’s house or an old pub — without simple mimicry,” said Hansen.

This year the judges also considered the environmental impact and sustainability of the entrants’ designs Hansen commented.

“…The focus on our environmental impact is firmly in the crosshairs in 2022. Hospitality fitouts are notorious for being updated every few years to accommodate for changing trends or diner’s wants and needs. A wide selection of venues this year have formidable sustainability credentials, with the intent to create interiors that don’t cost the earth.”

In line with what was seen at the Salone del Mobile festival earlier this year in Milan, many of the shortlisted projects had a bold and distinctive design aesthetic. “Conversely, people are drawn to bold venues with a strong aesthetic vision and designers are responding,” said Hansen.

The Award categories for 2022 include:

•    Best Restaurant Design
•    Best Café Design
•    Best Bar Design
•    Best Hotel Design
•    Best Installation Design
•    Best Retail Design
•    Best Identity Design

The 2022 jury consists of Shannon Bennett (chef and restaurateur), Rodney Eggleston (director, March Studio), Melissa Leong (Masterchef Australia judge and food writer), Fiona Lynch (founder, Fiona Lynch Office), and Cassie Hansen (editor, Artichoke).

For more information on Eat Drink Design Awards, visit eat-drink-design.com.