Dulux Colour Awards 2025

“There’s an ethereal quality to Elonera House by Studio Doherty,
a weightlessness and translucency that perfectly captures
the goal to create a welcoming sanctuary from heritage
beginnings. It epitomises the architect’s understanding of
colour psychology to specify a palette with such nuance as to
create a calm, even mellow, yet uplifting spatial sensibility. The
overall composition is delicately balanced but, when dissected,
reveals some unlikely participants. Take the inspired casting
of Dulux Calandre as the predominant hue, proving remarkably
versatile in a range of lighting conditions and in combination
with brushstrokes of other colours, such as duck-egg blue,
dusky pink and pale yellow. Tonally they click neatly together
but there remains just enough contrast to sustain the curiosity
and excitement of these spaces. It is not only the combination of
colours that delights; it is their precise placement, proportions
and ratios that are so exquisitely handled. Elonera House has
been exquisitely composed, with pitch-perfect tone, rhythm
and dynamics."

Alex McLeod, at.space, judge

"Rosherville House by Kennedy Nolan, on Sydney's North Shore, has a beautiful
cadence to it, its contemporary transformation honouring the 1980s original brick
pavilion-style structure. Characterised by thoughtful and subtle interventions, the
design resolution eschews grand gestures in favour of confident compositions. A
tonal palette and layers of textured materials clad the architectural features of the
living areas – a voluminous double-height ceiling above the kitchen, which opens to
a planted courtyard – with details highlighted in bolder hues to sync with the retro
furnishings. The sophisticated yet relaxed '80s lounge vibe gives way to bedrooms
and bathrooms swathed in contemporary hues of muted blues, greens and tans. It
amounts to a spatial and experimental exercise in nostalgia and the architects are
commended for their intelligent, controlled execution."

Alex McLeod, at.space, judge

“Contemporary renovations are at risk of overwhelming heritage integrity without a
considered approach, and the role of colour in striking the balance is pivotal. Here,
in an historic home overlooking Sydney Harbour, the architects have conceived of
a palette to reinforce the dwelling’s original assets and, at the same time, pulled it
firmly into the contemporary realm, while also embracing its context. Where the
views are proximate, a deep marine has been used; where original leadlight windows
are present, their jewel-like colours have been appropriated. Crisp whites delineate
architectural elements, defining scale and highlighting the ornate ceilings. Butter
yellow, clotted cream and whispering blue-grey adorn internal spaces and imbue
them with a casual serenity. The distinct palette of each room is tonally cohesive and,
consequently, this family home feels refreshed, grounded and timeless."

Alex McLeod, at.space, judge