The 2016 Dulux Colour Awards were announced on 28 April at Melbourne’s Myer Mural Hall.

The renovation of the Empire Cinema and Eatery in Wellington’s Island Bay by ArcHaus Architects won the International category. The judges described the project as: “One of the most impressive before and after restorations… the bold palette respects the heart of the old building with colours that revitalise and create an iconic, Baz Lurman’esque, vibe. ArcHaus has embraced the era, celebrating the building’s theatrical presence and function.”

Other winners from New Zealand included University of Auckland student Tessa Forde, who gained a commendation in the Student category for her 2015 thesis “The House That Politics Built”, and Auckland-based Design Spec Ltd, who gained a commended for the firm’s Beech Hill project.

The winner of the overall prize, the Grand Prix, was The Condensary by PHAB Architects. The judges commented that the project demonstrated “exceptionally clever application of a sole colour in varying shades, seamlessly executed to showcase a beautiful continuity both inside and out.”

Across all categories, boundaries were pushed and colour was used in daring ways to transform spaces and tell a story. 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the awards, and the winners reflected this evolution in the use of colour – from retro elements to forward-thinking palettes.

The winners are:

GRAND PRIX AND COMMERCIAL EXTERIOR

The Condensery – Somerset Regional Art Gallery – PHAB Architects

Judges comment: This project was awarded for its exceptionally clever application of a sole colour in varying shades, seamlessly executed to showcase a beautiful continuity both inside and out. Using an array of reds to tempt any palette from deep oxides to reddish pinks, results in incredible beauty against the rural landscape. The Condensery tells a fascinating, layered story, whilst honouring the original architecture and history of the building. The exterior and interior work in complete harmony with each other, using traditional and contemporary colours in an equally brave and restrained manner, achieving perfect balance and a building for future generations to appreciate.

COMMERCIAL EXTERIOR

Commendations

Empire Cinema and Eatery – ArcHaus Architects

Hellenic Kew – March Studio

Kensington Street Terraces – Paul Davies in association with Tonkin Zulaikha Greer

COMMERCIAL INTERIOR (PUBLIC SPACES & HOSPITALITY)

Winner

Alex Hotel – Arent & Pyke

Judges comment: The Alex Hotel is an example of how a strategic yet subtle approach to colour can result in effortless sophistication. Raw and refined, a beautiful, unusual palette evokes a sense of relaxation and serenity with clever and well thought out precision, creating a homely and immersive environment. Arent & Pyke has committed and executed a colour palette that could have been disastrous in the wrong hands.

Highly commended

The Condensery – Somerset Regional Art Gallery – PHAB Architects

Commendation

Hellenic Kew – March Studio

COMMERCIAL INTERIOR (OFFICE FITOUT & RETAIL)

Winner

The Doctor’s Studio – Russell & George

Judges comment: The Doctor’s Studio is an extremely forward thinking and provocative project that pushes the boundaries with an original display of colour with an uplifting palette. Russell & George has shown a true commitment to colours throughout the interior in a very luxurious manner, achieving an effortlessly unique and natural look. A combination rarely put together so successfully, The Doctor’s Studio really is a new, fresh take on a clinical interior.

Commendations

Firecracker HQ – Setsquare Studio

Koorie Heritage Trust at Federation Square – Lyons and IADV

Lechte Corporation Office Fitout – Plus Architecture

Single Residential Interior

Winner

Normanby – Whiting Architects

Judges comment: Normanby is a courageous project which showcases a perfectly crafted, clever use of colour using pastel hues with natural materials and bold colour in exactly the right proportion. The daring use of colour compliments and highlights the natural mix of materials in the home including leather and wood. Using what typically could be jarring combination of hues, this original palette subtly defines spaces within the home.

Commendations

Dowel House – FMD Architects

FS House – Hola Projects

Glenlyon – Louise Walsh

Single Residential Exterior

Winner

O’Grady – Whiting Architects

Judges comment: The restrained and unique palette used for O’Grady achieves a perfect balance between colours defining two periods. The exterior has an urban feel with a masculine mood in Dulux Domino adding drama in the entrance with a contrasting pastel. The project displays refinement with an edge.

Commendations

Bronte House – ASA Architects

Manly Vale Bush House – Michelle Walker Architects

MULTI RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR

Winner

Monash University Logan Hall – McBride Charles Ryan

Judges comment: Logan Hall boasts a great use of monochromatic colour used to highlight articulation in facade. The combination of coloured glazed bricks with a simple palette creates a harmonious and amazing combination, setting a new benchmark for multi-residential exteriors. The sunshades add shadows and depth in colours as light shifts across the day and colour repetition is broken up in exterior pattern stating the skilful value of good design.

Commendation

Murphy Street – Whiting Architects

MULTI RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR

Winner

Holman Hall, Monash University – Hayball and Richard Middleton Architects

Judges comment: Hayball and Richard Middleton Architects has exhibited a very sympathetic use of colour throughout this space, with careful consideration of the building’s aspects. The colours, featuring in student rooms, are used with purpose to create a sense of harmonious personalisation and functionality. The variety of powder coated finishes works beautifully alongside timber grains with a wash of colour.

Commendation

Monash University Logan Hall – McBride Charles Ryan

INSTALLATION AND EVENTS

Winner

Masterpieces from the Hermitage – National Gallery of Victoria

Judges comment: Masterpieces from the Hermitage exhibition is a well-orchestrated standout on how bold and defined colour can really transform and enhance a gallery exhibition. As traditional gallery spaces display white backdrops, these spectacular and authentic colours brings the art to life and transports you in to another world.

Commendation

Aussie Summers – Camille Javal

Melbourne Art Restaurant Cocktail Sound – Authority Clothing

INTERNATIONAL

Winner

Empire Cinema – ArcHaus

Judges comment: One of the most impressive before and after restorations, the Empire Cinema is a great example of an inspiring conservation project that has been transformed using colour dedication. The bold palette respects the heart of the old building with colours that revitalise and create an iconic, Baz Lurman’esque, vibe. ArcHaus has embraced the era, celebrating the buildings theatrical presence and function.

Commendation

Beech Hill – Design.spec

Student

Infinite Mulligan – Kei Jin Pook (RMIT)

Judges comment: Vibrant and lively, this project cleverly references local sporting teams in the colour palette. Using a playful and bold use of colour, Infinite Mulligan celebrates the conceptual possibilities without taking itself too seriously.

Commendation

The House That Politics Built – Tessa Forde

On the judging panel were: Meryl Hare (Hare + Klein Interior Design), Clare Cousins (Clare Cousins Architects), James Harper (BrookingHarper and Design Institute of Australia), Matt Gibson (Matt Gibson Architecture + Design), and Alex Fulton (Alex Fulton Design).