2017 Dulux Colour Awards Winners Announced

MEDIA RELEASE

11 May 2017

2017 DULUX COLOUR AWARDS® WINNERS ANNOUNCED

In the 31st anniversary year of the iconic Dulux Colour Awards, limitless imagination and bold execution combined to define the winning projects across nine individual categories.

Announced at a gala dinner on Wednesday 10 May, held in the Touring Hall at the Melbourne Museum, the 2017 winners included standout architectural firm, Sam Crawford Architects with Lymesmith who took home the prestigious Grand Prix prize, in addition to the Commercial Exterior award for their work on the North Bondi Amenities. With its innovative use of colour in the service of public provisions, the project gained the unanimous approval of the judging panel. Student entries similarly impressed, their diverse, experimental approaches highlighting an artistic fearlessness among the growing international talent pool of up and coming creatives.

Dulux Colour Planning and Communication Manager, Andrea Lucena-Orr, said the 2017 finalists presented works that delivered an entirely unrestrained skew on colour use, in line with this year’s theme of ‘Bold, Forward, Tilted’:

“The Dulux Colour Awards looks to uncover the most inventive use of colour in built environments across Australia, New Zealand and beyond. Each year we look for the submissions that take creativity to new heights and this year’s award winners broke free of all tradition to deliver concepts that truly represent the future of colour and design.”

The 2017 Dulux Colour Awards winners are:

1. Grand Prix

Project: North Bondi Amenities

Architecture firm/Organisation: Sam Crawford Architects with Lymesmith

Featured Dulux colours: Khaki, Straw, Teal, Opaline and Cootamundra

Judging panel comment: The building’s colour scheme was the result of a collaboration with Sonia van de Haar of Lymesmith – Polychromy who utilised the Australian Standard colour palette. Nodding to the assertive presence of the horizon over Bondi, the datum line created in the building is just one of the well-considered design elements that makes this building work so well within its natural setting. A timeless accomplishment that has been created for the mass, yet is still so beautifully considered.

2. Student – New Zealand Winner

Winner - NZ

Project: Carrara Baths

Name: Taylor Chan from University of Auckland

Featured Dulux colours: Osso Bucco, Tranquil Retreat, Fresh Lemon, Still Yellow, Window Blue and Brilliant Red

Judging panel comment: Aiming to envision the afterlife of marble quarries in Tuscany, Italy, these baths create a sensory experience of light and colour and texture. A clever use of colour palette to offset the raw and natural location setting. It has a simple, yet in-depth, earthy feel that draws its audience in.

Commendation

Project: Arched – A Civil Union

Name: Jun Chang from RMIT University

Featured Dulux colours: Hidden Depths and Fiery Glow

Judging panel comment: An extremely comprehensive project, which works to convey the symbolism behind wedding arches for civil union ceremonies. The use of clashing colours creates layers of meaning and purpose which is kept subtle and simple through the sampling of colours to reflect those of adjacent buildings. This is a fun and exciting nod to the future of wedding ceremonies.

3. Commercial Interior – Public Spaces & Hospitality

Winner

Project: The Pool

Architecture firm/Organisation: Aileen Sage Architects with Michelle Tabet

Featured Dulux colours: Water Raceway, Orchid Orange, Claypot, French Blue, Admiralty, APO Grey and Storm - Metallic Grey

Judging panel comment: As a celebration of a distinctly Australian space, this submission really meets the brief and truly depicts Australia. This complex use of colour shows the architect has really considered how varying light might bring the chosen colours to life to mimic the changing patterns of light around a pool over the course of a day. This submission epitomises why investing time in colour selection is so important.

Commendation

Project: Karratha Super Clinic

Architecture firm/Organisation: CODA Studio

Featured Dulux colours: Natural White, Alpine Landing, Antarctic Blue, Mini Blue, Credo, Reed Green, Stella, Klute, Kelly's Flower, Galaxy Blue, Turquoise Sea, Persian Belt, Pale Daffodil and Plunge

Judging panel comment: Exerting a civic quality, this building creates a much-needed sense of permanence. Colour was used here to establish more of a connection to the surrounding natural environment and to create an atmosphere of warmth and safety. This is a beautiful submission with specific commendation to the attention to duo-toning. It’s no wonder the indigenous people call this their ‘Rainbow Home!’

Commendation

Project: Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives

Architecture firm/Organisation: studioplusthree

Featured Dulux colours: Black, Drive Time, Royal Battle, Unforgettable, Captive, Da Blues and Metro Mars

Judging panel comment: Focusing on creating an experiential, immersive interior, this submission plays on concepts of solid and void, colour and light. Using colour and light to establish a narrative journey to bring the ancient world to life, the architect has also used colour to draw attention to the light in the space letting what should be the focus, be the focus. The end result is a dramatic, yet comfortable atmosphere that reminds visitors of their relationship to these ancient people.

4. Commercial Interior – Workplace & Retail

Winner

Project: Financial Services

Architecture firm/Organisation: Futurespace PTY LTD

Featured Dulux colours: Silkwort, Natural White, Colorbond® Shale Grey™, Navy Gloss, Brume Half, Zeus® Charcoal Satin and Gunmetal Kinetic Satin

Judging panel comment: As a workspace of one of Australia’s most successful investment management companies, this is a difficult space to make something of. Briefed to create a space which connects people whilst adhering to the brand values, the architect has shown restraint in matching an interesting palette, using a lighter substructure to offset the darker tones. The result is outstanding as the architect has created an environment that is comfortable to be in all day.

5. Commercial Exterior

Winner

Project: North Bondi Amenities

Architecture firm/Organisation: Sam Crawford Architects with Lymesmith

Featured Dulux colours: Khaki, Straw, Teal, Opaline and Cootamundra

Judging panel comment: Belonging to the sand and surf of Bondi Beach, this building is exposed to the relentless coastal elements. The building’s colour scheme was the result of a collaboration with Sonia van de Haar of Lymesmith – Polychromy who utilised the Australian Standard colour palette to compliment the building’s environment, nodding to the assertive presence of the horizon line and the vast expansion of sky. A beautifully detailed scheme that complements both its environment and its purpose.

Commendation

Project: Byford Secondary College

Architecture firm/Organisation: Donaldson and Warn Pty Ltd

Featured Dulux colours: Vivid White™, Ghosting Half, Orange Keeper, Colorbond® Dune®, Golden Banner, Jubilation, Persian Belt, Fiji Palm, Celtic Green, Egyptian Enamel, Full Of Life, Kings Canyon, Colorbond® Woodland Grey®, Zeus® Charcoal Satin, Black, Encounter, Stravinsky Pink, Red Box, Blue Mosque, Malay Grey, Murray Red, Xtreme™ White Satin, Eternity® Citi Silver Pearl Matt, Xtreme™ and Black Satin

Judging panel comment: With a design that acknowledges the local geography, referencing the prominent ridge line of the nearby ranges, colour is also used here as an effective wayfinding device for students to identify different building groups.

An accomplished combination of colour creates a marked presence and a sense of local identity, in addition to a great space to go to school.

6. International – New Zealand Winner

Winner

Project: Antarctic Heritage Trust – Hillary’s Hut

Architecture firm/Organisation: Antarctic Heritage Trust

Featured Dulux colours: Pram point, Snow Cat, Ponder, Transmission, Heke, Dieskau, Underbrush, Rose Pink Villa, Sceptre Blue, Dusky, Fanlight, Murray Red and Vivid White™

Judging panel comment: In the middle of a snow storm, finding shelter fast can be the difference between life and death. In 1957, the intense orange and yellow of Hillary’s Hut was a beacon to those caught out by the weather. This submission shows a creative use of heritage colours for the purpose of safety and longevity. The interior design is particularly commended here as the architect has used a different colour for each plane, demonstrating a completeness in the architect’s idea of offering guests a stark contrast to the ice conditions outside.

7. Single Residential Interior

Winner

Project: Footscray Apartment

Architect firm/Organisation: BoardGrove Architects

Featured Dulux colours: Natural White™, Black Caviar and Colorbond® Dune®

Judging panel comment: To create a joyful apartment renovation in Footscray, Melbourne, the palette was selected to compliment and soften the tones of the existing structure to add warmth and visual interest to the space. Aligning with sensibility by using very muted palettes, this witty and effective design is refreshing.

8. Single Residential Exterior

Winner

Project: Burleigh Street House

Architecture firm/Organisation: ME

Featured Dulux colours: Melon Baby, Ginger Crunch, Stella, Black Water, Duck Egg Blue, Night Life, Indian Summer, Mondrian Blue and White Watsonia

Judging panel comment: Rather than demolishing this building, the job at hand was to retain the existing bungalow and inject a new lease of life to the building. Whilst still reinforcing the historical precedent of the region, the architect has presented a livable colour scheme. This submission demonstrates the importance of why people should be inspired by and explore colour matching.

9. Multi Residential Interior

Winner

Project: Coppin Street Apartments

Architecture firm/Organisation: MUSK Architecture Studio

Featured Dulux colours: Sulphur

Judging panel comment: Dubbed the “Richmond six-pack” the Coppin Street apartments replaces a dilapidated single dwelling. Now home to six unique apartments, each uniquely personalised. We’re seeing a shift towards people changing colour palettes more regularly to align with fashion trends. The bright colours on the doors are a key focus in each apartment and offset the industrial material palette of the background. This submission pulls together its colour scheme in a refreshing way whilst ensuring all elements work well together.

10. Multi Residential Exterior

Winner

Project: RMIT Bundoora West Student Accommodation

Architecture firm/Organisation: Richard Middleton Architects

Featured Dulux colours: Electro® Mid Bronze

Judging panel comment: A wonderful example of creativity, whereby the architect has utilised materials to create colour shading and has deployed the colour on differentiated textures to deliver two tones from just one hue. Situated within an aboriginal heritage site, amongst ancient red gums, the bronze exterior colour works to create texture and lustre in certain light conditions, complementing its environment.

The winners were selected from an overall 286 entries and subsequent shortlist of 89 finalists, by a judging panel of design leaders, including: Ryan Russell, Director at Russell & George; Maurice Terzini, Restaurateur and Fashion Designer; Fiona Lynch, Director at Fiona Lynch Interior Design; Timothy Hill, Director at Partner’s Hill, and Shelley Ferguson, Editor in Chief of Your Home and Garden (NZ).

NOTES TO EDITOR

Prizes:

Grand Prix: AUD$5,000 cash prize

Student: AUD$500 cash prize and the opportunity to develop a colour range with Dulux

Commercial Interior – Public Spaces & Hospitality: AUD$1,000 cash prize

Commercial Interior – Workplace & Retail: AUD$1,000 cash prize

Commercial Exterior: AUD$1,000 cash prize

International: AUD$1,000 cash prize

Single Residential Interior: AUD$1,000 cash prize

Single Residential Exterior: AUD$1,000 cash prize

Multi Residential Interior: AUD$1,000 cash prize

Multi Residential Exterior: AUD$1,000 cash prize

-ENDS-

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