The finalists for the 39th annual Dulux Colour Awards have been unveiled, showcasing 88 exceptional projects selected from nearly 500 entries across Australia and New Zealand.
Judged by a panel of six esteemed design professionals, the awards celebrate innovative and outstanding use of colour in the built environment.
This year’s finalists span eight categories, including Commercial Interiors, Residential Interiors and Exteriors, Temporary or Installation Design, and Student Work, with the coveted Australian and New Zealand Grand Prix awards recognising the best overall projects.
As one of the longest-running design awards in the region, the Dulux Colour Awards hold a prestigious place in the architectural and design community.
The competition continues to push boundaries, with this year’s entries demonstrating remarkable sophistication and ambition in colour application.
Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux Colour and Communications Manager, highlighted the ingenuity displayed by entrants, stating: “Year after year, we are presented with an extraordinary array of exceptional colour use that exemplifies the pivotal role colour plays in spatial understanding, placemaking, and mood setting.”
This year’s trends include bold palettes featuring burgundy, gold-yellows, and sage greens in residential projects, complemented by warm whites paired with greiges, mist greens, and soft blues.
Stylistically, coloured ceilings and distinctive wall treatments stood out, with judges noting the strength of colour-blocking and murals in retail and studio environments.
The Temporary or Installation Design category, introduced last year, has become a permanent fixture, celebrating innovative non-permanent projects like exhibitions and pop-ups.
The finalists also challenged traditional architectural stereotypes through creative palette choices.
Examples include a sporting complex with high-end hospitality hues, a vibrant community hub showcasing placemaking through colour, and an industrial depot transformed by nuanced tonal graduations.
The Student category remains a highlight of the awards, offering a platform for ambitious and imaginative designs.
“Gone are the days of colour being the domain of the brave or foolhardy few,” said Lucena-Orr.
“Student and professional entries alike employ colour with extraordinary skill.”
The winners will be announced at an exclusive event at the National Gallery of Victoria on May 28, 2025.
