The Australian Interior Design Awards celebrated its 22nd year at a glittering gala at the Sofitel Melbourne, with Brisbane’s Central by J.AR Office taking out the coveted Premier Award for Australian Interior Design.
The moody, theatrically designed basement restaurant also secured the Hospitality Design Award and Best of State Commercial for Queensland, marking a triumphant evening for the Queensland-based studio.
The Australian Interior Design Awards, a partnership between the Design Institute of Australia and Architecture Media’s InteriorsAu, recognises excellence in interior design both nationally and internationally.
This year’s entries were lauded for their refined aesthetics, compelling narratives, and commitment to user wellbeing.
Reflecting on the 2025 entries, the jury observed: “The strongest projects place human experience at the forefront, creating immersive spatial environments that educate, bring joy, nurture and inspire.”
The awards program evaluated submissions across diverse categories, including residential, retail, hospitality, public, workplace, and installation design, as well as Sustainability Advancement and Emerging Interior Design Practice.
The jury described the awards as “an opportunity for our industry to stand back, take it all in and genuinely celebrate the quality of interior design being produced in Australia today.
“We can give ourselves a collective pat on the back as we continue to produce work that is inventive and sophisticated.”
Central by J.AR Office was praised as a “highly inventive project” that was “executed with a level of cleverness that uses constraints to its advantage.”
The jury highlighted its emotive design, noting the restaurant creates “a space for fun, raucous nights out.”
Studio Prineas claimed both the Residential Design and Best of State Residential for New South Wales awards for the Montage Apartment.
The jury commended its “strong and nuanced colour palette and detailing, including the curvature of the door frames, island pillar and orange grouting, all of which make the interior design unique”.
In Victoria, Sally Caroline’s Panorama House was recognised for its “coloured joinery denoting the home’s different zones,” winning both the Residential Decoration Award and Best of State Residential for Victoria.
Design Office’s work on Vic’s Meats, Chatswood Chase, won the Retail Design category and Best of State Commercial in New South Wales.
The jury commented on its “bold and highly distinctive design [that] redefines the everyday butcher shop, elevating the brand experience with clarity and confidence, while being engaging and accessible.”
The Installation Design category went to Botanical Lab for Kids by Gloss Creative, Azuma Makoto, and the National Gallery of Victoria.
The project, which “invites children’s curiosity and promotes discovery through art and design” and “fosters a vibrant and playful atmosphere,” also secured Best of State Commercial for Victoria.
Studio SC’s Australian War Memorial New Entrance took out the Public Design category and Best of State Commercial in the Australian Capital Territory.
The jury remarked that it “exemplifies how craftsmanship can amplify solemnity through the showcasing of material aptitude and its exceptionally detailed execution”.
Cox Architecture’s Adelaide Studio, a workplace designed in collaboration with First Nations Elders and featuring natural materials, won both the Workplace Design Award and Best of State Commercial for South Australia.
The Workplace Design Award was shared with Arup Workplace, Perth/Boorloo by Hames Sharley with Arup and Peter Farmer Designs.
The project was also recognised for its responsible use of resources and user-friendly outcomes, earning the Sustainability Advancement award.
Byron Bay-based Studio Plenty was named Emerging Interior Design Practice for its Burly Bar project, which the jury described as “an exceptional study in how bold colour can be used to create a lusciously moody interior that makes people feel welcome”.
The project also demonstrated “exquisite detailing and a thoughtfully considered, well-resolved understanding of materiality that enhances a space’s purpose”.
As the Australian Interior Design Awards continue to champion creativity and innovation, this year’s winners exemplify the sophistication and inventiveness shaping the nation’s interior design landscape.
