The A+D industry turned out in style last Thursday – flocking to the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ Meers Hall to see if their practice’s projects had made the shortlist for this year’s IDEA.

Introduced by the team from Niche, the IDEA 2026 shortlist announcement event featured a chat with two of the program’s 2026 judges – Diana Espiritu and Daniel Boddam – who shared their insights and expertise on such topics as common themes seen in the shortlist entries, the impact of the current economic climate on applicants’ creativity, the influence of technology and AI on both projects and written applications, and the influence of sustainability in the projects put forward for consideration.

Most of all, of course, they shared with the audience what they will be looking for when judging the eventual category winners. The entire jury – also comprising Shaun Lockyer, Adèle Winteridge, sustainability judge Felicity Bernstein, Kelvin Ho and chair Michael Drescher – will come together later in the year to deliberate, discuss and decide on their top picks.

After the panel discussion it was onto the evening’s main drawcard – the shortlist reveal – with six screens positioned around Meers Hall showing reels of all the projects through to the next stage of the program, while sipping on beverages courtesy of IDEA sponsors, The Melbourne Gin Company, Jansz and Yalumba, and helping themselves to the tasty treats courtesy of a couple of well-stocked grazing tables.

Category sponsors Crafted Hardwoods, Roche Bobois, Zenith, Clipsal and LAUFEN also provided product displays for guests to explore.

View all the shortlisted projects here.

As the guests scanned the screens, they were also able to pick up a copy of the brand new edition of inside with all the shortlisted projects immortalised in print for perpetuity. Visit the website to also get your hands on a copy.

Next events for IDEA 2026

Thursday 20 August 2026: Emerging Designer of the Year presentation.

Thursday 1 October 2026: Designer of the Year presentation.

Friday 4 December 2026: IDEA 2026 gala, when the winners of all categories will be announced.

IDEA 2026 would not be possible without our overall sponsor Miele, alongside sponsors Crafted Hardwoods, Clipsal, Cult, Designer Rugs, ForestOne, Herman Miller, Roche Bobois, LAUFEN, Signature Appliances powered by Miele and Zenith.

We are eternally grateful for their continued support of IDEA and of Australia’s design community. We are also hugely thankful to our event partners Axolotl, The Melbourne Gin Company, Jansz and Yalumba, which help the IDEA gala sparkle even brighter.

All photos: Narrative Post.