Written by Sara Kirby, Images by Earl Carter

Established in 2010, and with offices in Melbourne and Rome, the creativity of Russell & George has earned the group five shortlisted projects in this year’s Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), including the coveted Designer of the Year.

Melbourne locals will recognise the sleek works of Russell & George in the Emporium Café Court, positioned in the heart of the city, and in Prahran’s eye-catching Huxtaburger outlet, both of which are nominated. Further north is the team’s third entry into the shortlist, Indooroopilly’s Koko Black café; also earning a shortlisting is arguably their most decadent work, the Bride and Groom Residence.

Russell & George’s shortlisting in the Workplace category is the Cloud at Medibank, an original and creative stand-out office space.

Flawlessly blending urban and natural elements, the design features lighting instillations that take on the appearance of miniature skyscrapers, scattered throughout the work area and evoking the feeling of being at once distanced from, yet within the city sprawl.

Lush green tones coat the flooring and chairs, juxtaposing against the soft browns and inner-city appearance presented by the light boxes and accompanying tan tables.

Spread out over the browns and greens of the office floor, a baby-blue ceiling brings a sense of calm and radiance to the area, along with the impression of a clear sky, thus completing the office landscape.

Seemingly floating in the area between the workspace and the ceiling is a glass-edged box, inside it a collection of carefully arranged orange geometric lounges. The area is accessible via a pair of orange and blue staircases, and drenched in light, is the perfect spot to take in the surrounding scenery.

russellandgeorge.com