Architects and interior designers from all over Australia cheered on extraordinary local design at The Timber Yard in Melbourne for this year’s IDEA Gala party.

A couple of months ago, we made the decision to postpone our awards ceremony, which was originally scheduled for November 2020, until we could all come together safely and securely.

After the scare that was last week’s snap five-day Victorian lockdown, we were overjoyed to be able to go ahead with the gala party on Friday 19 February.

Almost 500 architects, designers and design enthusiasts joined us from the across the country to celebrate 2020’s category and overall design award winners.

Flack Studio, Esoteriko, COX, Alexander & CO., Hassell and GOLDEN were among the project category winners that picked up an IDEA trophy, designed by Axolotl, on the night.

They were joined by Jeremy Bull, Simone Haag and Andrew Parr, who were all on the panel of industry-leading professionals that judged this year’s IDEA.

Sydney-based Anna Trefely of Esoteriko was named the best emerging practice of the year.

COX took home this year’s Editors’ Medal for Tedesca from inside editor Elisa Scarton, while the winning hospitality category was awarded to Alexander & CO. for Glorietta.

The overall winner was Private Residence by Richards Stanisich. This classic mid-century residence, originally designed by Harry Seidler and built in 1958 is a tribute to ’50s modernism in Sydney, also won the night’s Residential Single award.

Melbourne-based Flack Studio was crowned Designer of the Year, while Hare + Klein’s Meryl Hare was named the Gold Medal.

Guests at The Timber Yard enjoyed drinks provided by this year’s IDEA drinks sponsors Moo Brew, Archie Rose and Seville Estate.

Check out the best photos from the night:

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IDEA 2020 winners

Residential Single

Richards Stanisich for Private Residence

Public Space

Hassell for Geelong Performing Arts Centre

International

BAR Studio for Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono

Workplace over 1000sqm

Hassell for Transurban Melbourne

Object Furniture and Lighting Rising

Thomas Maxam Studio for Candelabra 0001

Object Furniture and Lighting Professional

Christopher Boots for the Platto Side Table

Event

Christopher Boots for 2019 NGV Art of Dining – The Christopher Boots Table

Residential Multi

Freadman White for Napier Street for Milieu

Institutional

Bates Smart for The Gandel Wing

Hospitality

Alexander & CO. for Glorietta

Residential Decoration

Flack Studio for Middle Park Residence

Retail

GOLDEN for Buff Nail Studios

Colour

Flack Studio for Middle Park Residence

Workplace Under 1000sqm

Esoteriko for Real Estate Agency as Luxury Brand – The Rubinstein Group

Sustainability

BVN for the Marie Reay Teaching Centre, ANU

Emerging Designer

Esoteriko

Overall Winner

Richards Stanisich for Private Residence

Designer of the Year

Flack Studio

Gold Medal

Meryl Hare

Editor’s Medal

COX Architecture for Tedesca

See all the images from the 2020 IDEA Gala party here.

Entries for IDEA 2021 open this Friday 26 February! Get yours in early for your chance to pick up your own trophy at next year’s gala.

Photography: Jayden Ostwald and Adam O’Sullivan.