Winners of the 2011 Dulux Colour Awards were announced at a stylish soirée at Sydney’s Paddington Town Hall last night.

The award, now in its 25th year, celebrates the creative use of colour in architecture and design.

“The element of ‘surprise’ was a wonderful aspect in this year’s colour award entries,” said Dulux Colour Planning & Communications Manager Andrea Lucena-Orr.

“Colour trend directions that were evident in the entries this year were cleaner and more saturated colours, which is exciting! From a psychological aspect, this could be the feeling of optimism in regards to the global GFC coming to an end.”

The jury, consisting of KPDO Director Kerry Phelan, fashion designer Kirrily Johnston and Brian Zulaikha of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer awarded winners in 7 categories.

The Grand Prix (including $15,000 in prizes) and Residential Exterior award went to Elenberg Fraser for A’Beckett Tower, described by the judges as “an outstanding use of colour in architecture, used brilliantly to complement the functionality of the balconies and primary façade, creating identity for the building as Urban Design – as well as the individual occupants.”

David Boyle took out the award for Residential Interior for his Burridge Road Residence, with its use of the colours of the surrounding native bush brought into the interior to create a series of serene spaces.

The award for Commercial Interior went to S2F for the Nambour General Hospital New Ward Block, acknowledged for its use of “a gorgeous range of earthy natural colours from tangerine to bronze… used to complement the bush-land environment” and providing a “simple and elegant solution overall”.

Herbert & Mason Architecture took out the award for Commercial Interior for its temporay entertainment space Bleu, where a single colour was used to dramatic effect.

Russell & George won the award for Sustainable Interior for their use of Dulux Professional EnvirO2 in their Review fit-out, creating “depth, shadow and light, forming a feminine backdrop to the garments”.

Gemma Caon took out the Student Award for MADS, a space for young designers incorporating traditional yet contemporary colours.

Dulux Colour Awards
dulux.com.au/colourawards