Now in its 18th year, the Australian Interior Design Awards (AIDA), acknowledge the exceptional interior design work produced across the residential, commercial and public sectors, both domestically and internationally. The highly anticipated shortlist for 2021 has now been announced, with 190 projects recognised for excellence in interior design. Of these, 80 projects are shortlisted in the residential design and decoration categories across Australia, and today I’m sharing some of the standout projects from this category.

Delivered by the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and Architecture Media’s Artichoke magazine, the 2021 campaign marks a return to the regular program following the successful execution of the first-ever digital broadcast in 2020.

The jury, made up of some of Australia’s most esteemed interior designers, noted that this year’s shortlist highlighted the ingenuity of Australia’s design community, with featured practices embracing the challenges presented by the pandemic, resulting in a transformation of traditional typologies that reject the ways of the past for something entirely new.

They say the residential categories “have been skilfully realised with complex materials and expert detailing to achieve refined and sophisticated results. There’s an increased interest in expressive materiality and a complete approach to design that seamlessly co-ordinates interior design and architecture.”

Hendra Project, Queensland, by Wrightson Stewart, / Photography by Kylie Hood

Berwick Residence, Victoria, by Martin J Scott Design / Photography by Tess Kelly

Moonee Ponds, Victoria, by Architecton / Photography by Dave Kulesza

The full list of final award recipients will be presented at the Awards Announcement Dinner, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney on Friday, 3 September 2021. To see the shortlist in its entirety, take a look here.