The annual Eat-Drink-Design Awards has announced the 2013 shortlist for eighty-one projects from across Australia and New Zealand. This initiative recognises design excellence in the hospitality arena, and is the only awards program in Australasia that celebrates the relationship between eating and drinking experiences and good design. There is no doubt Australian collective design efforts have previously focussed heavily on the residential sector – we all know that Australian architects & interiors designers know how to design beautiful homes really, really well – just check out any shortlist of previous design awards, and residential category is almost always the longest and strongest by far. Needless to say, it is really fantastic to see our hospitality sector maturing and realising the importance of good design, in line with the rest of the world. Clients are developing an appetite for sophisticated venues, and the industry as a whole is raising the bar and creating a benchmark of excellence in Australia. Love it.
This year’s judging panel brought together the expertise of the design and hospitality communities, including chef and restaurateur Christine Manfield, author and food writer John Birmingham, architect Domenic Alvaro, design writer Rachel Hurst and Cameron Bruhn of Architecture Media.
Here are just a few of my favourites. By the way, huge congratulations to all shortlisted entries. Gold stars from team Yellowtrace. Boom.
Prahran Hotel by Techne Architects. Photo by Peter Clarke.
Gazi by March Studio. Photo by Mark Ashkanasy.
Tonka Restaurant by Techne Architects. Photo by Shannon McGrath.
The Town Mouse by Allistar Cox Architecture.
Top Paddock Cafe by Six Degrees Architects and Nathan Toleman. Photo by Albert Comper.
Rozzi’s Italian Canteen in Melbourne by Mim Design. Photo by Shannon McGrath.
Mitchelton Winery by Hecker Guthrie. Photo by Shannon McGrath.
Gordon Street Garage by Foolscap Studio. Photo by Penny Lane Photography.
St Ali North by Barbara and Fellows. Photo by Tracey Lee Hayes.
The Smith Restaurant & Bar by GMS Hospitality. Photo by Dianna Snape.
Captain Melville bar and restaurant by Breathe Architecture. Photo by Andrew Wuttke.
Foxes Den by Hecker Guthrie. Photo by Shannon McGrath.
Fonda Mexican, Windsor by Techne Architects. Photo by Tom Blachford.
Esquire by Hassell. Photo by Roger D’Souza.
The Meatball Wine Bar by Eades and Bergman. Photo by Nicole England.
The Grain Store by Betty and Wolff. Photo by Patrick Rodriguez.
Green Beacon Brewing Company by James Cubitt Architects. Photo by Roger D’Souza.
Kitchen by Mike on Wheels by Koskela. Photo by Ashley Jones.
Butcher by Doherty Lynch. Photo by Derek Swalwell.
Dukes Flinders Lane by Chris Connell Design. Photo by Earl Carter.
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