The Design Institute of Australia (DIA) has announced the inaugural recipients for its Designers Australia 2021 Awards, identifying and celebrating Australian emerging and established designers.
The three entry categories differentiate the cross-disciplinary opportunities presented to Australian designers. ‘PLACE’ represents the spaces we live, work, play; ‘USE’ describes things we use; and ‘INTERACT’ depicts what or who we interact with.
Bates Smart for Gandel Wing, Cabrini was awarded the ‘PLACE’ category winner, while DesignByThem for DL Range by Gibson Karlo and Dion Lee received the winning ‘USE’ award. Monash University Department of Design XYX Lab for HyperSext City won ‘INTERACT’, and product designer, artist and mentor Edward Linacre received the President’s Award.
Awards jurors, and internationally renowned Dutch trend forecasters and design educators, Lidewij Edelkoort and Philip Fimmano, commented: “The Cabrini Malvern Hospital extension by Mark Healy the studio director of Bates Smart truly encapsulates our times; from the importance the medical sector plays in our lives to designing social spaces with well-being in mind. The new Gandel Wing’s natural finishes, rounded edges and neutral palette illustrate the power of buildings that can heal us. Considered lighting and attention to detail therefore become critical to care. The comforting interiors have been so thoughtfully reimagined that we thought it was a sustainable hotel concept — now that’s somewhere one should check-in! It’s time that hospital and hospitality go hand in hand.”
Tuba Kocaturk, awards juror, and professor of integral design, said: “The DL Range by DesignByThem presents a timeless process of experimentation with form and materials which brings together functional and purposeful production techniques from fashion and industrial design, translated into an innovative marriage of comfort and inspirational design.”
“The Monash University’s design, the HyperSext City, presents a series of interaction platforms where the design transcends being merely a product, but rather becomes a research and a communication platform, which informs, raise awareness and continually involves its users/audience in the evolution of the displayed content. Both projects are a testament to the changing role and position of design, moving from the traditional concept of a tangible product through to orchestration of new interactions and experiences,” she said.
PLACE winner – Bates Smart for Gandel Wing, Cabrini was recognised for its exemplary approach to design by focusing on wellness and human-centred healthcare. Gandel Wing was praised as a place in partnership with nature and technology, encouraging healing rather than simply treating disease. The architects were honoured for responding to the hospital’s evolving needs by comforting the lives of many.
USE winner – DesignByThem for DL Range by Gibson Karlo collaborates between founders and industrial designers Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis and Australian fashion designer Dion Lee. The key objective of this project was to promote cross-disciplinary design by creating a unique body of work, merging fashion and industrial design principles.
INTERACT winner – Monash University Department of Design for HyperSext City uses design as an intersecting mediator, educational and collaborative tool giving voice to community members. The University’s XYL Lab was commended for its investigative exhibition encouraging and empowering people to comprehend and imagine complex issues together.
President’s Award – Multidisciplinary designer, artist, student mentor and former DIA Graduate of the Year recipient Edward Linacre was applauded for his contribution to the profession, and commitment to diversity and equality across cultures, gender and race. He is a partner at Copper Design, which resides within Mycelium Studios, a co-working hub and place where designers coexist and learn from each other.
USE winner: DesignByThem for DL Range by Gibson Karlo and Dion Lee. Image courtesy of the Design Institute of Australia.
Monash University XYX Lab for HyperSext City. Image courtesy of the Design Institute of Australia.
President’s Award winner: Edward Linacre. Image credit: Francesco Vincenzi.
The full list of winners in the Designers Australia 2021 Awards
PLACE category winner, representing the spaces we live, work, and play:
Bates Smart for Gandel Wing, Cabrini
PLACE Awards of Merit
Billard Leece Partnership and Diller Scofidio + Renfro for Susan Wakil Health Building
Comunitl for Davidson
Cox Architecture for Parmelia Hilton Hotel
Cox Architecture for Sydney Coliseum Theatre, West HQ
Cox Architecture and Neeson Murcutt + Neille for Australian Museum Project Discover
Danielle Brustman for Brighton Street Early Learning
DesignInc Adelaide for DesignInc Adelaide Studio
Elenberg Fraser for Market Lane
Latitude for SBB
Mata Design Studio for Applecross Residence
Mycelium Studios for Mycelium Studios
Naomi Milgrom Foundation and Glenn Murcutt for MPavilion 2019
Phillips/Pilkington Architects for Gunditj Mirring Keeping Place
Russell & George for Sarah & Sebastian
Skeehan Studio for Canberra Glassworks Shop
studio-gram for The Guardsman
Walter Brooke & Associates and Genesin Studio for iTL
Walter Brooke & Associates and Hecker Guthrie for EOS
Woods Bagot for Central Park Tower Refurbishment
Zwei Interiors Architecture for body of work
USE category winner describing things we use:
DesignByThem for DL Range by Gibson Karlo and Dion Lee
USE Awards of Merit
Cobalt Design for KeepCup Thermal Cup & Press Fit Lid
DesignByThem for August Lounges by Gibson Karlo
Hare + Klein for Bridge Table
JamFactory for Solute Pendant Light
JDT Design for LEGO 3D printed Spinner
Naomi Milgrom Foundation and BoardGrove Architects for MPavilion 2020 Stool Dolly
Skeehan Studio for NAVE Collection
Yellow Goat Design for H2O
INTERACT category winner depicting what or who we interact with:
Monash University XYX Lab for HyperSext City
INTERACT Awards of Merit
Black Squid Design for A-Lure Gin
Ian Wong for 100 Objects & I-CONIC
United Studio for Markr
President’s Award
Edward Linacre for contribution to the profession
For further information on the Designers Australia 2021 Awards, visit www.awards.design.org.au.
