Brewery, restaurant shortlisted in Dulux Colour Awards

EXCELLENT painting and design work at a Torquay brewery and a Geelong West restaurant have seen both projects make the Victorian shortlist for this year’s Dulux Colour Awards.

Now in its 36th year, The Dulux Colour Awards are Australia’s premier showcase of inspirational colour application in interior and exterior residential, public and commercial spaces.

Finalists were selected across six categories: Commercial Interior (Public and Hospitality); Commercial Interior (Workplace and Retail); Commercial and Multi-Residential Exterior; Residential Interior; Single Residential Exterior; and Student (Years 1-6) projects.

The Sou’West Brewery interior designed by Ewert Leaf was listed in the Commercial Interior (Public and Hospitality) category, while Meet Me at Mary’s by Donna Schneider from The Interior Design Institute was listed in the Student (Years 1-6) category.

“Sou’West Brewery converted part of the former Quiksilver headquaters into a lively venue driven by the connection, warmth and playfulness of surf culture,” the Ewert Leaf team said.

“Conveying surf culture through colour was pivotal in design of Sou’West Brewery. The Dulux range ensured we could choose the perfect colours and tones to convey our concept.

“Sou’West’s humble brewing ethos drew parallels between the rawness of the site and rugged coast, inspiring the design team to select materials reflecting natural tactility and warmth.”

Ms Schneider said rich layers of colour and natural light helped transform a former panel beating work shop into Meet Me At Mary’s.

“Originally an industrial red brick warehouse, the building that houses Mary’s with its polished concrete floors, high ceilings and brick walls has transformed into a cosy, low-lit space with numerous little nooks, so you can have your own little section, hidden from other groups, but feel still part of the mix.

“The focal point of the venue is, without question, the curved blue tiled bar with ash trim that runs through the front centre of the venue. This space was once the spray booth and carport.

“Dulux Night Sky was used on the ceiling to create height at the entrance as your eye then wanders toward a large whimsical mural and into the main body of the warehouse.”

There were 51 Victorian projects named as finalists.

“We were excited to see such an exciting and imaginative use of colour in this year’s entries,” Dulux colour and communications manager Andrea Lucena-Orr said.

This year’s judging panel includes Adriana Hanna, director of architecture at Kennedy Nolan; Cushla McFadden, director at Tom Mark Henry; Olivia Macfarlane, director at UNDERCURRENT NZ; Adam Pustola, principal at Lyons Architecture; and David Welsh, principal at Welsh+Major.

Winners will be announced at a gala event in Melbourne and will be livestreamed via the Dulux Facebook page. Details will be announced in the coming months.