BEST BAR DESIGN:

Little Prince Wine by IF Architecture

The judges said ” There’s an inevitability to Little Prince Wine, where it’s difficult to imagine this space being designed any differently. Slotted beneath St Kilda’s iconic Prince Hotel off Acland Street, this intimate wine bar effortlessly blends the old and the new. It’s in the detail – the fibreglass champagne tub that greets guests upon arrival, the mirrored specials board, the Art Deco-inspired light fittings – but also the easy blend of beautiful curves with striking textures such as dark tiles, handsome vertical timber panelling and exposed concrete beams. The seamless incorporation of a retail element underlines the harmony of the space, but it’s Little Prince’s capacity to encourage punters to dwell that registered with the jury: the easy transition from natural to artificial light, the interplay between soft and hard textures, the clever sight lines, and the sense of discovery from one space to the next. A clear standout in the bar category.” See more…

BEST RESTAURANT DESIGN:

CicciaBella by Fiona Lynch Interior Design (joint winner)

The judges said “An Italian restaurant housed in the recently opened Parramatta Square building, CicciaBella avoids the dull over-industrial treatments often associated with new builds, instead drawing upon a sophisticated suite of materials to create a truly unique eatery. The jury engaged with the imaginative, unexpected use of textures such as coir matting, unpainted Besser block, open-seamed suede, crushed cardboard cladding and chiselled bluestone. The most playful touches include galvanized steel walls, some of which conceal storage, and tie-dyed cotton banners and concrete columns etched with graffiti by street artist Benzo. The designers intended to reference the natural stone, dark timber and leather of a traditional trattoria, but rather than a literal interpretation, they’ve created an entirely new venue that’s distinctive, timeless and frequently fascinating – “a difficult thing to do when there’s no existing condition to draw on, as one juror noted.” See more…

BEST RESTAURANT DESIGN: 

Agnes by Amok (joint winner)

The judges said “In a city relatively short on heritage buildings, Agnes makes the most of a late-nineteenth-century warehouse on the edge of Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, transforming it into a temple of woodfired food. The design draws on the history of the premises, using a refined palette that sits in harmony with the beauty of existing features such as raw brickwork, concrete and render. Elsewhere, challenges have been treated as opportunities, a structural steel framework acting as a spine for the building, encouraging exploration of an upstairs rooftop terrace and an adjacent private dining area, and a downstairs bar. A low-benched kitchen is perhaps the venue’s defining feature: from the moment guests walk through the door, it allows an open view of the hearth, grill and woodfire oven, welcoming diners into the space and allowing them to share in an ancient and communal style of cooking.” See more…

BEST CAFÉ DESIGN

Industry Beans Brisbane by Platform by DesignOffice

The judges said “An ebullient cafe in Newstead, just north of Brisbane’s ritzy James Street, Industry Beans has completely transformed an old brick warehouse space into the quintessential Queensland daytime eatery – white, bright, airy and welcoming. Laid out across two separate spaces, the old warehouse’s dock has been enclosed in a glass pavilion lined with greenery and flooded with natural light. Behind, a second high-ceilinged dining room is defined by its reams of pale timber and tiered banquette seating – it’s hard to imagine there being a bad seat in here. The care the designers have put into creating the cafe’s crisp, clean aesthetic is underlined by a lengthy coffee bar that has its espresso machines hidden beneath the countertop. The treatment serves Industry Beans Brisbane’s multilayered offering: this is a place as appropriate for long brunches as it is meetings or informal work sessions, while an eye-catching retail zone in the centre of the venue naturally draws in takeaway customers.” See more…

BEST RETAIL DESIGN:

Little Prince Wine by IF Architecture

The judges said “A retail space inside a bar or cafe is often a lesson in awkward trade-offs, but not at Little Prince Wine. Here, underneath the Prince Hotel in St Kilda, a counter selling cheese, cold cuts, wine and dry goods sits comfortably within an intimate bar, the two functions of the venue complementing each other and making the overall space richer. Standout features include zinc countertops, an eye-catching counter fridge and illuminated metal shelving, but it’s a striking green-tiled back wall that delineates the retail from the rest of the venue and draws in takeaway customers. Still, this relatively small venue encourages exploration of its line of drink fridges and timber wine shelves, and a cellar tucked down a second staircase. Very often you compromise putting retail in a restaurant space, said one juror. But for these elements to work together and make each other richer, I think is pretty extraordinary.” See more…

BEST HOTEL DESIGN:

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street by Bates Smart

The judges said “The newly opened Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street seamlessy combines the heritage Equity Chambers building with a modern 16-storey tower and includes two distinct food and beverage spaces. Luci, the hotel’s restaurant, complements original details such as coffered ceilings, ornate plasterwork and carved timber features with rich upholsteries, handsome banquette seating and modern lighting, creating a timeless lobby restaurant experience. Its location, in the original building’s former grand hall, can be viewed from above from the reception area, placing it at the centre of the guest experience. The Douglas Club is the opposite – a charismatic, intimate bolthole anchored by a striking marble cocktail bar. The jury appreciated the contrast between the spaces, which spoke to the overall sophistication and confidence of its interior design. The winner in a healthy category that signals an Australian renaissance for the hotel restaurant and bar experience.” See more…

Other Awards and Commendations including Best Identity Design, Best Installation Design and Hall of Fame can be seen here…