Australian designs take out top prizes in 2025 Dezeen Awards

Three Australian projects have claimed accolades in this year's Dezeen Awards, including a new home in Melbourne, a Sydney bathroom design and a Melbourne-designed-and-made surface finish.

Studio Bright's Hedge and Arbour House in Melbourne was named the winner of House (Urban) of the Year 2025. The jury praised it as a "clever and intriguing home" that's "a clear upgrade on all that surrounds it."

"The architects have made the best of the site and capably used visually interesting mesh to balance the need for privacy, light and air," they said in their citation. Taking cues from a thick, domestic hedge on the street side, the house presents as a series of layers arrayed in plan, which have been delineated by blockwork garden walls. A steel veil wraps the envelope, providing a trellis for planting.

"The careful selection of materials and design decisions resulted in a high-quality, sustainable home that meets the clients' needs while staying within a reasonable budget," said Studio Bright.

Claiming the top prize for Bathroom Interior of the Year was Jillian Dinkel's design for Kilmory House in Sydney. The project honours the home's Arts and Crafts legacy through a contemporary lens, transforming the bathrooms into a vibrant entertainer's retreat.

"The bathrooms are truly where our imagination and potential were given limitless bounds," said Dinkel.

The jury commented, "We admired the mix of materials in this project. The contrast between the stainless steel and natural stone is a great show of craftsmanship, while details like the timber joinery and spa bath contribute to an overall sense of calm."

The Surface Design of the Year category was won by Melbourne-based design practice Other Matter for their design of the architectural interior surfaces for Aesop Hainan.

The studio's regenerative finishes, hand-cast in Melbourne using low-energy methods, are based on a formulation that incorporates an algae-derived polymer and mineral pigments. Free from fossil inputs, non-toxic, biodegradable and recyclable, the system can be applied either as a removable architectural film or a sealed finish cast directly onto substrates.

At Aesop Hainan, both formats debuted across over 2,000 aluminium panels, a four-metre sculptural column and a translucent facade.

The jury noted, "This recently-developed material not only looks great but has a strong place in the market as an alternative to conventional adhesive films. Not only can this film be composted but it works effectively as a wholesale replacement to mainstream petrochemical-derived vinyl. In this particular project, the natural patterns are also warm, earthy and perfect for the site."

The Dezeen Awards recognise architecture, interiors, design, and sustainability projects, as well as the studios and individual designers producing outstanding work worldwide.

The full list of winners can be viewed online.