From large-scale practices and industrial designers through to boutique studio owners and specialists in their field – the jury for IDEA 2017 brings together the crème de la crème of design talent, including the 2016 Overall Winner, William Smart of Smart Design Studio. See the full jury line-up below and start getting your entries ready now to meet the deadline for a discounted early bird entry rate.

The 2017 jury

Albert Mo, director – Architects EAT

Based in Melbourne, Architects EAT has developed both a reputation in residential and apartment projects, and at the same time specialises in the hospitality and retail sector projects. Mo has been a chapter councillor on the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects and maintains guest critic positions in various architecture school across Australia. His architectural skills range from creative conceptual design to detailed project design and his work has been recognised by awards and articles across both Australian and international architecture journals.

eatas.com.au

Incision House by Architects EAT. Photo by Shannon McGrath.

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Alex Lotersztain, founder – Derlot

Derlot is a multidisciplinary design studio that specialises in product, furniture and interior design, as well as hotel concepts, branding and art direction with many national and international clients. Lotersztain, an Argentinian-born Australian designer, has been highly awarded for both his product and interior design and in 2010 received the inaugural Queensland Premier’s Smart State Designer of the Year Fellowship award. He was also named one of the 100 most influential designers worldwide in &fork by Phaidon and was among the ‘top 25 designers to collaborate with’ by Monocle. In 2011, Lotersztain expanded his studio by founding Derlot Editions to design, manufacture and distribute furniture and lighting to the global contract and domestic markets.

derlot.com
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Brenton Smith, studio director – Bates Smart

Brenton Smith joined Bates Smart in 2010 after a distinguished overseas design career where he established a strong international reputation. He leads the dynamic and growing interior design studio, acclaimed for its expertise in hospitality, residential and workplace design. His work blends classic modern design with operational flexibility, his projects deliver enduring efficiency and value. Smith’s work has been widely published and he is regularly sought after as a contributor to industry publications and design panels.

batessmart.com

Internal render of Bates Smart’s proposed Australian Embassy in the Washington. Render courtesy Bates Smart.

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Hannah Tribe, principal – Tribe Studio Architects

Hannah Tribe has established the reputation of the practice, recognised for design excellence in its built and conceptual work in residential and urban design, education, installation and interiors. The practice currently has a team of 10 architects working on projects in Australia and internationally. Tribe has also taught at the University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney and University of New South Wales, and tutored in design and lectured in design and design communications. She has been an invited juror on multiple awards panels and is co-founder of Bit Part, which designs and manufactures door hardware and other elements.

tribestudio.com.au

House at Double Bay by Tribe Studio was shortlisted in IDEA 2015. Photo by Katherine Lu.

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Jan O’Connor, managing partner – Environa Studio

Jan O’Connor is an architect best known for her work in sustainable architecture and design. In collaboration with partner Tone Wheeler, Environa Studio has been actively engaged with environmental solutions since 1986. Environa has built a strong reputation with numerous awards and accolades for sustainable design, winning the Milo Dunphy Award in 2014. The studio has a portfolio spanning urban design, civic and commercial projects, as well as public and private housing. Jan also has extensive experience in retail design, including co-founding the iconic retail tea brand T2.

environastudio.com.au
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Rosina di Maria, principal – Woods Bagot

As a recognised industry leader in design, Rosina di Maria has extensive experience working across Australasia, the Middle East, Russia and Europe. She returned to Adelaide after leading the interiors portfolio in the Woods Bagot London Studio. In the workplace sector, di Maria led HSBC’s Global Headquarters at Canary Wharf and other prestigious projects for Bloomberg and Barclays Capital, the Eccleston Square Hotel and Doubletree by Hilton. Since returning to Australia, she has led her team in designing the interiors of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and is leading the interiors on the expansion of the Adelaide Convention Centre and the new Westin Brisbane.

woodsbagot.com

SAHMRI, Adelaide by Woods Bagot.

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William Smart, founder and creative director – Smart Design Studio

Established in 1997 and with a staff of 40, Smart Design Studio is a multidisciplinary practice, the buildings of which have received critical acclaim and many prestigious awards. As founder, Smart is directly involved in every project, contributing at all stages, from design to final delivery, and is continually exploring ideas in his work relating to flexibility, contemporary living and the merging of art and architecture. His, and the studio’s, approach to design is holistic, combining both architectural and interior design. Smart’s enthusiasm and passionate attention to detail is fundamental to Smart Design’s success, motivating a highly dedicated team of architects and interior designers to realise projects of high quality and innovation, producing work that is both detailed and resolved.

smartdesignstudio.com
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Over the coming months, we’ll be profiling each of the judges as part of our Q&ADR column. Stay tuned to learn more about what inspires them and their work.

Find out more about IDEA 2017 and details on how to enter at idea-awards.com.au.