The Evolve Awards judging panel of Dinosaur Designs’ Louise Olsen, futurespace’s Gavin Harris, Designer Rugs’ Yosi Tal and Indesign’s Lorenzo Logi were highly impressed with the calibre of this year’s entries, with designs exploring compelling colour, geometry and graphic components.

“We had over 300 entrees!” says Tal, “Many were of a very high standard this year, which made the judging that much harder, but also produced a great outcome. The judging process went very well, without too much argument. I am very happy with the final eight and the standard reflects how important Interior Designers consider rugs to be as part of a fit-out.”

“It was wonderful to see the quality of colour and textures that the designers brought to life in their rug designs for Designer Rugs,” enthused Olsen.

“…the number of circle rugs entered shows the versatility of them to solve many a complex room form,” added Harris, “the shortlist shows a great cross-section of varied design styles and colour ways, representing the current direction in design of many concurrent styles.”

The capabilities and memorable style of Natasha Modra from Humphrey and Edwards, has seen her portfolio of work used in the designs of pubs, hotels, restaurants and clubs.

“The intent was to recraft this ordinarily modular shape and manipulate the form and symmetry,” Modra says of the inspiration for her work, METAMODRA. “Chevron is a classic pattern seen in both commercial and residential markets,” she explained, “and the tones were specifically selected for their contemporary appeal, commercial viability and forgiveness to natural wear and tear.”

Poco Design’s Emma Parsons focuses her design on the balance of function and aesthetics through an exploration of colours, textures and shapes.

Of her entry FAÇADE, Parsons says, “I have always admired the shapes, textures, patterns and the play of light and shadow of the facades of modern architecture.” Designed to enhance and compliment a variety of interiors, “FAÇADE came together by working through the conceptual design process, eliminating the unnecessary elements and creating balance.”

Giuliana Corallo of Peddle Thorp Architects enjoys experimenting with texture and pattern in her designs, drawing particular inspiration from her travels.

Injected with her personality, Corallo’s work HELLENIC DREAMING is, “inspired by the vibrancy and character of the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini.” Corallo says, “the design evokes a sense of life, joy and vibrancy, transporting one to the exotic Mediterranean.”

Constantly looking to expand his skillset, Alphaplus Architecture’s Daniel Malik is a young architect dedicated to the expression of creativity through design.

“The rug as a medium needs not to be restricted to two dimensions,” says Mailk. “I wanted to add a new dimension to rug design… from the right angle the rug truly attracts intrigue and transforms into a 3 dimensional BLACK HOLE.”

Working as Senior Interior Designer for Greg Natale Design, Sally Birch has enjoyed contributing to a broad range of residential and commercial projects.

“EIFEL is a geometric rug design which plays on colour and symmetry,” Birch says of her entry. “It is structured and symmetrical, reminiscent of the tower itself, however colour has been used to break the confinement of its symmetry, creating a bold spirited rug.”

Originally from South Africa, Michelle Faure of Altis Architecture now works in Sydney. An enthusiast of art and design, she believes that there is no challenge in life that can’t be solved by design.

Of her work COUNTING STARS, Faure says, “There’s something in nature that compels us to challenge, design and create. Have you ever attempted counting stars? Sometime we venture into the galaxy of impossibilities and somehow we succeed.”

From Sydney-based design studio The Uncarved Block, Gianna Kharboulti has been involved on projects ranging from hospitality, commercial and residential through to bespoke graphics and art.

“The various shapes and colours seen in satellite images of the ocean were the main source of inspiration for the FRACTIONS design concept,” Kharboulti says. “The design simplifies intricate details we see in satellite images of the ocean.”

Architect Rebecca Heald from Jacobs brings her travel experiences along with her love of nature and the environment into her work and to inspire new ideas.

“OLI is inspired by an overdue visit to Carlo Scarpa’s renowned and coveted Olivetti shop in Piazza San Marco, Venice,” Heald says of her design. “The shop’s textured finishes of concrete, ceramics and brass are further inspiration for the rich reds, golds and greys used in the rug, thus creating a full and lush textile.”

The Designer Rugs Evolve Competition winner will be announced on Tuesday the 8^th of December at the Designer Rugs showroom in Leichhardt.

Designer Rugs
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