A subterranean Cantonese restaurant wins design project of the year at IDEA
A subterranean Cantonese restaurant in Brisbane has taken out the top prize at this year's Interior Design Excellence Awards.
Designed by J.AR Office, Central brings drama and artistry front and centre while "paying homage to corporate-core 1980s Hong Kong."
Located in the basement of a Brisbane tower, the restaurant is filled with theatrical draped curtains, exposed stone walls, illuminated fish tanks and troffer-style lighting.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy."Central is filled with thoughtful details," said juror Melissa Leung. "I love how every element is designed around the guest experience, engaging you from the moment you arrive.
"A softly illuminated ceiling draws the eye toward the show kitchen, beautifully framing the culinary activity and infusing the restaurant with a sense of drama."
This wasn't the only award the Brisbane studio walked away with, it also took out the prize for the hospitality category and the Emerging Designer of the Year award.
Established in 2022 by Jared Webb, juror Matiya Marovich said the practice would be better described as "exploding onto the scene" rather than "emerging".
"One of Australia's most exciting and talented design practices," Mr Marovich said. "Its work is conceptually considered, evocative and phenomenologically rich, while also demonstrating rigour, attention to detail and excellent execution."
Managing editor of Australian Design Review, inside and IDEA, Madeleine Swain said she offered her "heartiest congratulations" to the relatively new studio in its achievement of a "hat trick".
"IDEA always has some surprises up its sleeve, but there couldn't be a more delightful and refreshing one than seeing a studio that is just three years old taking out three major awards."
Established in 2003, IDEA is one of Australia's most notable and longest-running interior design and architecture awards.
The 23rd annual IDEA gala was held at the Seymour Centre in Sydney on Friday November 28.
This year's line-up showcased a record total of 328 unique projects across 14 categories and seven Special Awards, ranging from residential to commercial, object to public design.
Speaking to view.com.au in August about the shortlist, deputy editor of Australian Design Review and inside magazine, Sophie Berrill, said the amount and quality of the entrants indicated that "Australia's interior design industry is in a healthy place."
"This is the highest number of entries we have received over the past decade," she said. "What's made it pretty special this year is the mix of studios from around the country - we've got some really exciting emerging designers in there as well as established studios."
Chaired by Paul Hecker, this year's jury included some of Australia's leading interior designers and architects, including Melissa Leung, Andrew Glover, Conrad Lowry, Matiya Marovich, Meryl Hare and Sustainability judge Jade Whittaker.
Another impressive win on the night was Miriam Fanning, the founder of Melbourne-based studio Mim Design, winning the IDEA Gold Medal.
The award recognised Fanning's contribution to Australian design culture, her work as a mentor and advocacy as a Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia.
"There is so much to admire, over many years, in the work of Mim Design," said juror Meryl Hare.
"Its enduring quality, individual and original design has made Mim Fanning stand out as a talent who enriches the profession by setting a high benchmark in interior design."
New to this year's awards was the Enduring Award, a prize to acknowledge design works older than 10 years that have stood the test of time.
Some of those shortlisted projects included Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital, Tasmanian boutique hotel Pumphouse Point, Adelaide-based Italian restaurant Oggi and grand Victorian terrace Elysium.
Built in 2013, sustainable urban housing project The Commons by Melbourne practice Breathe took out the inaugural award.
"A unanimous choice by the judges," said Ms Hare. "The Commons is an outstanding example of urban architecture that ticks many boxes in terms of sustainability, affordability etc.
"Most importantly, it sets up the infrastructure for social cohesion."
Originally published as A subterranean Cantonese restaurant wins design project of the year at IDEA
