Dulux Colour Awards
Celebrating 40 years of colour excellence, the prestigious Dulux Colour Awards recognise innovation and excellence in the transformative use of Dulux Colour in the built environment.
Spanning an impressive four decades, Dulux is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its annual Dulux Colour Awards. The Dulux Colour Awards recognises creative and innovative use of Dulux Colour within the built environment, across a diverse range of interior and exterior spaces, including residential, public, and commercial environments. With entries now officially open for 2026, Dulux invites architects, interior designers, specifiers, and students from Australia and New Zealand to submit their most innovative and inspiring projects.
Meet the Judges
The 2026 Dulux Colour Awards are accepting entries until Friday, 20 February 2026
Entries open
Dulux encourages entries from individuals, groups, partnerships and those working in larger practices, no matter the scale or scope of work.
The 2026 Dulux Colour Awards are accepting entries across the following categories
1. COMMERCIAL INTERIOR - WORKPLACE AND RETAIL
Interior Dulux Paint finishes of any commercial or industrial building e.g. offices, studios, factories, retail outlets, shopping centres.
2. COMMERCIAL INTERIOR - PUBLIC AND HOSPITALITY
Interior Dulux Paint finishes of any commercial or industrial building e.g. community centres, museums, theatres, places of worship, cafes, restaurants, fitness centres, hotels, event spaces, education and healthcare facilities.
3. COMMERCIAL AND MULTI-RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR
Exterior Dulux Paint finishes of any commercial, industrial, educational facility, multi-residential development and/ or apartment building.
4. RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR
Interior Dulux Paint finishes of a private residence, including single and multi-residential.
5. SINGLE RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR
Exterior Dulux Paint finishes of a private single residence.
6. TEMPORARY OR INSTALLATION DESIGN
Interior and or Exterior Dulux Paint finishes of any temporary, installation, exhibition and brand promotion experience.
7. STUDENT (YEARS 1-6) (AU AND NZ)
Dulux Paint specification by architecture or interior design students who are currently undertaking or have recently completed (within the past 12 months) a course by a recognised university or college.
Each major category winner will receive AUD$1,000 in prize money and winners of the Student category will receive AUD$1000.
Finalists will have the opportunity to be judged for the coveted Australian Grand Prix and New Zealand Grand Prix titles.
Australian Grand Prix: Celebrating the best-in-show, the coveted Australian Grand Prix award will be chosen from the Australian category winners, excluding the Student category, and receive AUD$5,000.
New Zealand Grand Prix: Celebrating the best-in-show, the New Zealand Grand Prix title will be selected from the New Zealand finalists, excluding the Student category, and receive NZD$5,000
The finalists will be revealed on April 9, 2026 and winners will be announced on May 27, 2026.
Previous winners and finalists
Revisit the projects that captured the attention of our judges.
Judging criteria and process
Use of colour
The rationale behind the choice and use of colour is a key determining factor in the judging process. All colours and shades will be considered from the Dulux range, including black and white. Dulux colour must comprise a minimum of 51 per cent of the colour used in the project. Dulux paints or coatings must have been used extensively within the project.
Key determining factors:
• Up to 10 high resolution digital images can be submitted to illustrate how colour enhanced the project (please include landscape and portrait if possible)
• The project description and rationale behind the choice and use of colour in the design.
Image credits
Sarah & Sebastian Armadale by Richards Stanisich, Photography Lillie Thompson | Goldie Homes for The Daydream House, Benowa Photography Nick Browne, Darren Vassallo, Brad Mansour | Alexandria House by Lachlan Seegers, Photography Rory Gardiner | Darebin Intercultural Centre by Sibling Architecture, Photography Peter Bennetts| Monash Robotics Lab by Studio Bright, Photography Rory Gardiner | 22 William by SJB, Photograph Matthew Densley | Social Housing Development Rangiora by Rohan Collett Architects, Photography Dennis Radermacher | Giraffe Learning Centre by Supercontext Architecture Studio Photography Adam Madigan | Fitzroy Crossing Renal Hostel Company by Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects