We celebrated the 2026 (Emerging) Designer Awards Winners and Commended in Sydney on 28 October. We’ve gathered all the highlights here.
The (Emerging) Designer Awards returned for its fourth year, presented by Artedomus and The Local Project, to award eight impressive and very deserving Winners and Commended recipients, across four categories. Held at Chin Chin Sydney and co-hosted by Phil Brenton, managing director at Artedomus, and Aidan Anderson, founder and CEO of The Local Project, more than 150 guests from across Australia attended to celebrate a new generation of emerging designer winners.
Uniquely focused on design practices and practitioners that are within their first five years of business, The (Emerging) Designer Awards offers a comprehensive snapshot of Australia’s most enterprising designers, talented in their early career endeavours and entrepreneurship. This year the awards received over 110 entries from architects, interior designers and product designers across categories of Residential Interior, Residential Architecture, Commercial Interior and Product Designer.
In his opening address Phil spoke of the calibre of entries which continue to exceed expectations. “Each year, we hear from past winners about what the recognition has meant to them. New projects. New collaborations. And the confidence to keep pushing forward. That’s what these awards are about. Not just recognition – but momentum,” he said.
“I’d like to acknowledge our jury. Each of them has given their insight, expertise and time to this year’s judging,” said Aidan. Those jurors are: Alice Blackwood, editorial director at Artedomus and SURFACE Edition, Yasmine Ghoniem, director at YSG Studio, Chris Haddad, co-director at Archier, Millie Thwaites, editor at The Local Project, and Thomas Coward, creative director of Artedomus and New Volumes.
Atelier Marks Gaal was named winner of Residential Architecture for Yowani on the NSW coast. The Jury said, “This project achieves a rare clarity of experience, where material, light and planning combine to make a home of refuge, gathering and deep connection to landscape.”
Jessica Alice Design received the Residential Interior Award for Filly House in Western Australia. “In a world where interiors can so often shout for attention or retreat into silence, this project speaks with just the right amount of conviction,” said the Jury.
Occupy Studio received the Commercial Interior Award for Rowie HQ in Byron Bay, NSW. “A restrained material palette, deft spatial planning and a considered approach to natural light come together in a beautifully executed project,” said the Jury.
Marlo Lyda received the Product Designer Award, presented in partnership with New Volumes. “Marlo Lyda is a worthy winner because she demonstrates what emerging design should aspire to be which is materially intelligent, culturally curious, environmentally conscious and deeply human,” said the Jury.
Congratulations also go to this year’s Commended – as follows:
Residential Architecture Commended – Gritt Studio for Karijini House, WA;
Residential Interior Commended – Studio Shields for The View, Yarra Valley, Vic;
Commercial Interior Commended – SCAR STUDIO for The Church of the Nazarene, Mount Waverley, Vic;
Product Design Commended – Jasper Herzstein of Herzstein Design, Melbourne, Vic.
With special thanks to PR and event management, Max & You, DJ Niki De Saint, and event venue Chin Chin Sydney.
Read more on this year’s winners, and subscribe for program updates ahead of our 2027 awards program launching.
Photography by Joel Pratley courtesy of The Local Project.