Melbourne-based interior design studio GOLDEN received two awards at the annual World Interiors News 2017 Awards announced on 22 February in London. The practice won Best Café for Moby 3143 and Best Leisure or Entertainment Venue for Sum of Us.

“Winning the World Interiors News award for Best Café and Best Leisure Venue is an incredible honour. Being recognised internationally is a thrill, and it’s a vote of confidence for the relevance of our design on the global stage,” says Kylie Dorotic.

Kylie and Alicia McKimm founded GOLDEN (formerly We Are Huntly) in 2013. Projects span retail, hospitality, commercial, residential and multi-residential and the creative process plays to each designer’s strengths. Kylie has a background in visual arts and an intuitive sense for design and aesthetics; Alicia focuses on functionality to express intelligence and minimalism in design.World Interiors News Awards recognise the high-quality work of studios and designers around the world. GOLDEN’s Sum of Us was shortlisted alongside leisure and entertainment venues in China, the US, UK and Australia. The design of the wellness centre in Prahran, Melbourne, was inspired by the concepts of transformation and connection.

Within the two-story residential building, rings of light and circular iconography mirror the movement, core and energy of yoga and pilates. Natural light streams in through skylights, treatment rooms are calming grey and deep-blue ombré walls are a ‘salute to the sun.’

Moby 3143 faced competition from three other Australian projects (a testament to the quality of work produced here) as well as cafés in Belgium and China. GOLDEN’s design reactivated a former espresso bar, considered a local institution, by drawing inspiration from the striking façade of the 1970s building.

The dusty-ochre render, colour-blocked teal and crisp white metal detailing evokes a vintage Tuscany vibe. GOLDEN’s Penny Drop Café was also shortlisted for Best Café at the WIN 2017 Awards.The studio is currently working on a range of residential, hospitality and lifestyle projects including a new yoga studio, a café in Albert Park and large residential projects on Brighton Esplanade and in Albert Park.

“As a design practice, we believe that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. With every project, we aim to create something unique, something that is sure to surprise and something that is most definitely beautiful,” Kylie and Alicia explain.The Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards are also worth a look.

Photography by Sharyn Cairns.