Taking out the overall Award was Victorian architectural firm Breathe Architecture and developer Small Giants for their work on The Commons apartments – selected for its innovative approach to design resulting apartments that are generous, simple, affordable and sustainable.

“This is a completely new and innovative approach to apartment block design and construction and will set a benchmark for others to follow,” said Dr. Brandon Gien, CEO of Good Design Australia, who manage the Awards on behalf of the Victorian Government.

The design strategy was to build a vertical community where residents share rooftop gardens, solar hot water, electricity generation systems, roof top laundry, bike parking and communal beehives. The Judges commented: “The Commons is beautifully designed to allow us to experience living the future – a working prototype for urban living.”

The design of The Commons has been a catalyst for bringing together socially responsible individuals who are now striving to give back not only to their neighbours but also to improve their broader community. Six Best in Category Awards were handed out across the key disciplines of Architectural Design, Product Design, Digital Design, Design Strategy and Communication Design.

“The design projects featured in this year’s Premier’s Design Awards reaffirm the international calibre and diversity of Victoria’s design and creative sector.” Dr. Gien commented.

The annual awards program celebrates the very best of Victorian design and innovation and provides a unique platform for Victorian designers and businesses to showcase their best work to a national and international audience. The program attracted an exemplary standard of submissions for 2014 that highlight the breadth and diversity of design, creativity and innovation currently flourishing in Victoria.

The Best in Category Winners were:

1. DIGITAL DESIGN

Better Ways to Bank
Designed by: Deloitte Digital
Commissioned by: Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ)

2. PRODUCT DESIGN

Minbie
Designed by: Ideation Design
Commissioned by: I-Sip Trading Pty Ltd

3. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

The Commons
Designed by: Breathe Architecture
Commissioned by: Small Giants

4. COMMUNICATION DESIGN

Think Ahead Exhibition About Imagining the Future at Scienceworks
Designed by: Museum Victoria Design Studios
Commissioned by: Museum Victoria/Scienceworks

5. DESIGN STRATEGY

Quirkii Paper Products
Designed by: Jalapeno Creative
Commissioned by: Ausinc

6. SERVICE DESIGN

Smart Blocks
Designed by: Huddle Design, Digital Eskimo, Vidiris, Sustainability at Work
Commissioned by: Strata Community Australia, City of Melbourne, City of Sydney, Owners Corporation
Network

Premier’s Design Awards
premiersdesignawards.org.au