Introducing 2026 Interior Awards juror Amanda Harkness
Architecture NZ’s deputy editor and interior editor Amanda Harkness is this year’s Interior Awards jury convenor.
Melbourne Place hotel in Melbourne’s CBD, by Kennedy Nolan. Fixtures, fittings, lights, carpets and furniture have largely been sourced from local makers and designers, many made specifically for Melbourne Place.
West Australian jarrah blends with locally sourced terrazzo developed specifically for Melbourne Place.
Colour is set against complementary natural materials for a visually fresh interior.
Convening the jury for the sixth year, Amanda Harkness is the deputy editor and interior editor at Architecture NZ magazine and a former editor of Houses magazine. Amanda’s role sees her share the latest in both interior and architecture projects throughout the motu, and the stories of the designers and clients who bring them to life.
Tell us about one of your favourite interior spaces.
While I have yet to visit Kennedy Nolan’s Melbourne Place in person, there’s something very compelling about the personality of this project. It’s relaxed and casual and yet sophisticated and elegant at the same time. It cleverly teams native timbers and handmade tiles with custom rugs, warm lighting and beautiful furniture and fabrics to give guests a sense of being in someone’s home. The practice has always stood out for me, both from an architecture and interiors perspective, with its organic design moves and local building materials coupled with rich colours and moments of the quirky and unexpected. Melbourne Place shows the same depth and thought that we’ve enjoyed in so much of their residential work.
Who do you admire within the interior design industry and why?
There are obviously many hugely talented designers, both here in Aotearoa and overseas. The ones that I admire are often those who go out on a limb, taking you on an unexpected journey, with creativity, personality and spatial awareness evident throughout. And when that can be done sustainably, both in the build and then the subsequent use of the space, that’s a great outcome. Every client and context is unique, and the joy of the discovery is how those designers have responded to the brief.
What are you hoping to see more of this year?
Reuse and circularity have been coming of age over the past few years and hopefully, from here on, will be par for the course. There is often much to celebrate in uncovering the original fabric of the spaces, as seen in projects such as the Haymen Kronfeld building, the University of Auckland’s Old Choral Hall, Massey House – there are thankfully too many examples to mention here.
What are you looking forward to while judging the Interior Awards 2026?
I’ve been described variously as both a connector and a chronicler. The Awards programme promotes connection within the industry, as jurors and entrants get to know each other along with collaborators, clients and suppliers. In terms of chronicling, it’s always fascinating to see what spaces are being created and by whom, taking everything on board with an eye to sharing those stories more widely.
Do you have any advice for those thinking of entering the awards?
The Awards are a great way to share your story, firstly to the smaller group of five jurors as we go through the shortlisting process together and then more widely to the thousands who tune in for the livestreamed finalist presentations. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate your work.
Click here for more on the Interior Awards and here to submit your projects to the 2026 Interior Awards before Wednesday 29 April.
