Australian and New Zealand projects featuring an original use of colour have been celebrated at the Dulux Colour Awards 2024.

Taking out the top honours for the Australian Grand Prix and New Zealand Grand Prix winners respectively was Alexandria House by Lachlan Seegers Architect, and Seven Colourful Little Houses by Common Architecture and Interiors.

Both projects display a prominent use of colour blocking applied in very different ways. While Alexandria House showcases a commitment to a singular colour gesture in the application of Dulux Cumberland Red across the ceiling, Seven Colourful Little Houses demonstrates the impact bold colour can have to the exterior of newly-built, economical housing.

‘Seven Colourful Little Houses, literally a row of low cost houses in outer-suburban Christchurch, prompts a total rethink of the possibilities of urban development,’ says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux colour and communications manager.

‘It sets a new precedent for this typology, highlighting colour as a cost-effective, highly impactful design strategy, which is exactly what the awards program is designed to recognise.’

The unpredictability of colour blocking demonstrates the strength of an original idea to transform architecture.

Andrea adds, ‘Colour blocking has been used to great effect across a number of projects in which spatial boundaries have been defined through colour alone. We are also seeing colour saturation in internal and external applications, which requires a level of commitment, and a deep understanding, of colour.”

Another standout residential project recognised at the awards was House in Surry Hills by Architect George — winner of both the Single Residential Exterior category, and commended in the Residential Interior category — highlighting the strength of both elements in the renovated inner-city terrace.

To the street, the original facade presents an unbroken Aerobus blue that defines the original Victorian elements throughout the home. The rear exterior, in contrast, is a rich exotic red, injecting a vibrancy to the paler buildings sharing the back lane, and hinting at the new pink-pigmented rooms beyond.

These two personalities in House in Surry Hills distinguish front from back and new from old, while adding joy to their respective streetscapes.

2024 Dulux Colour Awards Winners

Grand Prix
Australia Winner: Alexandria House by Lachlan Seegers Architect
New Zealand Winner: Seven Colourful Little Houses by Common Architecture and Interiors

Single Residential Exterior
Winner: House in Surry Hills by Architect George
Commendation: Sunkissed Higgins by RADS
Commendation: House in Narrawallee by Architect George

Residential Interior
Winner: Alexandria House by Lachlan Seegers ArchitectCommendation: House in Surry Hills by Architect George
Commendation: Petite Retreat by JCHQ

Commercial Interior – Workplace And Retail
Winner: Kariton (Chinatown) by Bagnoli Architects
Commendation: Level 16, 350 Queen Street, Melbourne by Agero Group
Commendation: Up There Store by Kennedy Nolan

Commercial Interior – Public & Hospitality
Winner: Blacktown Exercise and Sports Technology Hub (BEST) by ARM Architecture
Commendation: Aireys Inlet Primary School Art and Music Hub by Sibling Architecture
Commendation: Lawson Flats by Ohlo Studio with Finespun Architecture
Commendation: Fugazzi Basement by Studio Gram

Commercial & Multi-Residential Exterior
Winner: Seven Colourful Little Houses by Common Architecture and Interiors
Commendation: Good Samaritan College Polding Place by Speculative Architecture

Temporary or Installation Design
Winner: Melbourne Now Community Hall – Boardgrove Architects

Student AU
Winner: Save Our Royal Hotel by James Embry, The University Of Melbourne

Student NZ 
Winner: The Keeper of My Memories – Beth Williams, Victoria University of Wellington

Visit the Dulux Colour Awards website for more info