Melissa Leung to judge IDEA 2025

Melissa Leung will judge the 2025 Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), joining jury chair Paul Hecker and other esteemed designers announced over the coming weeks.

IDEA is Australia’s longest-running independent architecture and interior design awards program with winners selected annually by a panel of expert judges working in the industry.

With an educational background in both architecture and interior design, Leung chose the path of an interior designer in 2014. She brought her cross-disciplinary perspective to Australian architecture practice Fraser & Partners nine years ago and now leads the interiors team nationally as one of the studio’s associate directors.

Her team works across all typologies, from multi-residential to hospitality, hotels and office fitouts. Their portfolio includes the 2023 refurbishment of the Melbourne fine-dining giant Vue de Monde and sibling venue Lui Bar, both located on the 55th floor of Rialto Towers.

Leung cites this major project as a career highlight, revealing the second is a work-in-progress – the new Fraser & Partners Melbourne office in South Yarra.

“The flooring design minimised waste through the use of more than 40 different types of natural marbles in 150 custom configurations,” she tells Australian Design Review. “It is a material-led design, focused on authenticity, craftsmanship and attention to detail. It acts as a stone gallery, honouring the unique characteristics of the material and showcases the possibilities of natural stone.”

Projects Leung loves

It’s interiors like Fraser & Partners’ incoming Melbourne office – meticulously crafted with effortless details – that Leung is most drawn to. The most alluring spaces are “functional, celebrate craftsmanship and have elements of intrigue and surprise”, she says, adding that they’re also “timeless and authentic and have carefully considered lighting to enhance the user experience”.

In recent years, Leung has gravitated to a couple of different design trends. In the realm of materials, she enjoys the tendency to favour a highly layered, rich, natural and earthy palette. This is demonstrated in her favourite IDEA-winning project from 2024: the Perri Cutten Mosman store by Brahman Perera.

“I appreciate the material exploration and expression,” she says. “The use of rammed earth, travertine and tactile finishes creates a beautiful backdrop for the clothing.”

The second trend she likes is the exploration of “quiet luxury” in interiors, where the design is timeless and enduring.

“Elevated but effortless!” she exclaims.

IDEA 2025

During this year’s program, when Leung adorns her IDEA jury hat for the first time, she’ll be looking for curated spaces that offer clever and sustainable design solutions.

“I will be keeping my eye out for human-centred spaces that look and feel authentic – functional environments that explore materiality in unique and innovative ways,” she says.

As an avid lover of hotel design, Leung is most excited about the IDEA Hospitality category.

“I am always drawn to these types of immersive spaces. I look forward to seeing how designers create inviting and engaging environments which offer a sensory and memorable experience,” she says.