Over the weekend the winners of the 2023 HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards were announced as part of the HIA 2023 National Conference. Here are the kitchen and bathroom winners:
2023 HIA Australian Bathroom of the Year
Winner: Greenbuild Constructions
A dramatic greyscale palette and intriguing interplay of texture and sculptural form come together in this stunning bathroom, which takes its design cues from the curvilinear architectural themes featured throughout the house.
Occupying centre stage is the oversized circular bathtub, perfectly nestled within a curved wall clad in fluted tiles to create a waterfall effect. The built form is carefully balanced by a smaller curved wall that leads to the shower area directly opposite.
From the custom recessed shaving cabinets and oak veneer vanity to the heavyset stone benchtop and dark fixtures, luxurious and elegant details abound throughout the space. Despite the moody aesthetic, enhanced by the concrete flooring underfoot, this bathroom feels spacious and light, thanks to the high ceilings, Velux skylight and louvered windows.
2023 HIA Australian Bathroom Design
Winner: Catherine de Meur Interiors
The design of this glamorous bathroom overcame a unique set of challenges, including relocation and complete reconfiguration from its awkward position in the centre of the home’s third floor.
A lack of natural light was countered by cleverly layering light sources to provide illumination from all angles. This included incorporating LED-strip lighting around the mirrored cabinetry and positioning it opposite the door to reflect light and brighten the space.
Despite the bathroom’s modest footprint, oversized features such as the large-format stone tiles and thick brushed brass towel rails, enlivens the room, while light oak cabinetry, with curved protruding detailing, adds welcome warmth. The matte materials selected further bounce light around the room, with mitre joins specified to provide a seamless, elegant look throughout.
2023 HIA Australian Kitchen of the Year
Winner: Craig Linke Bespoke Building
The eclectically renovated kitchen provides an explosive mix of materials, colours and textures, with the room presenting a striking and daring statement as intended.
A large twin cylinder rangehood, hand-wrapped in aged brass and suspended within a custom brass canopy, is a significant building innovation. Underneath, a distinctive grey granite island includes an integrated cooktop, push to close drawers and bar seating, with a solid granite sink mitred seamlessly down from the benchtop.
Decadent stormy sea-green marble in the oversized splashback and rear servery vividly contrasts with the walnut timber veneer cabinetry, its warming effect enriched by 50mm aged brass strips and pull handles. Underfoot, the floor was carefully crafted with marble offcuts, with a light grey terrazzo infill of white dove stone and gold chips also added in.
Top of the line integrated appliances combine technology and convenience for the owners, such as built-in cameras and basting functions in the oven that can be remotely controlled. All of these features combine to create a spectacular entertainer’s kitchen guaranteed to be enjoyed for years to come.
2023 Australian Kitchen Design
Winner: Darren James Interiors
A vision in white, the welcoming galley-style kitchen features a walk-through scullery, breakfast settee and connected study in thoughtful materials, designed to perfectly endure and enhance family life.
Described by the HIA judges as ‘visually stunning’, the uncluttered palette and highly functional layout was the result of meticulous planning and workmanship.
Darren James Interiors created a finely balanced design, omitting heavy overhead cabinetry in favour of a statement rangehood. The curved shape is repeated on the island bench, its simple panel detailing and bright white stone surface, with 2mm pencil round edges, elevating its impact.
Contrast and texture were introduced by adding exposed painted brick on the back wall with a delicate light grey marble splashback. Here, shafts of natural light penetrate via light wells on either side of the rangehood, provide depth and volume to the space.
With lightly hued timber joinery and white integrated appliances, this elegant kitchen offers a nuanced combination of materials, fittings and fixtures throughout.
For more information visit https://hia.com.au/awards-and-events/awards/2023-australian-housing-award-winners
