From cutting edge architecture to life saving products, the winners of the 26th Victorian Premier’s Design Awards showcase new innovations and the remarkable ways design can impact our everyday lives.
Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos congratulated all the winners and announced that this year’s top prize, the Victorian Premier’s Design Award of the Year, went to the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda, designed by Brearley Architects + Urbanists, Grant Amon Architects, WSP and Peter Felicetti.
The first purpose-built centre for Australia’s LGBTIQ+ communities, the Victorian Pride Centre was praised by judges for its deep sense of place and historical connection to St Kilda’s LGBTIQ+ communities. In addition to the top prize, the Victorian Pride Centre also won the category award for architectural design.
The annual awards showcase outstanding design across eight categories – architectural, communication, digital, product, fashion, service, student and design strategy. This year’s winners were chosen from 93 finalists and more than 240 entries and demonstrate the impact of good design.
Other winners include TramLab Toolkits, a guide to the practical steps that can be made to help make public transport safer for women and girls, and Femom, a wearable, clinical grade foetal monitor that can allow obstetricians to remotely monitor the health of a baby and a pregnant person.
The student design category went to a team from RMIT for Airlift, a low-cost device that helps healthcare workers safely move their patients when working alone.
Highly commended entries include the Rove Wheelchair, the world’s first 3D printed titanium wheelchair; and the Grampians (Gariwerd) Peaks Trail, which offers a world class hiking experience through the lands of three Traditional Owner groups.
“These Awards showcase the remarkable work of Victorian designers, who create buildings and products that improve the way we live, work and interact with each other,” said Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos.
“Our design industry continues to be among the best in the world and that’s why we are celebrating our talent that is based right here in Victoria.”
Victoria’s design industry supports almost 200,000 jobs across the state, including many across industries such as health, food and fibre, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and construction.
The Victorian Premier’s Design Awards celebrate local design excellence and promote the role design plays in making products, spaces and experiences more functional, safe, efficient and sustainable.
Past winners include Victorian design innovations the Kambrook Axis cordless kettle, the Holden VT Commodore and the Keep Cup.
The Victorian Premier’s Design Awards are managed by Good Design Australia on behalf of the Victorian Government. For more information and full list of winners, visit: www.premiersdesignawards.vic.gov.au for details.
Image: Victorian Pride Centre – photo by Luke David
2022 Victorian Premier’s Design Award Winners:
Victorian Premier’s Design Award of the Year and Best in Category – Architectural Design
Victorian Pride Centre – Brearley Architects + Urbanists & Grant Amon Architects, WSP and Peter Felicetti
Victorian Premier’s Design Award Best in Category – Communication Design
Victorian Premier’s Design Awards Showcase – Ian Wong, Tim Isaacson, Dr Indae Hwang, Remy Wong and Monash University
Victorian Premier’s Design Award Best in Category – Design Strategy
TramLab Toolkits – Latrobe University, Monash University XYX Lab, RMIT University, Angela Taft, Nicole Kalms, Gene Bawden, Gill Matthewson, Leesa Hooker, Kirsty Forsdike-Yuong, Nicola Henry, Isabella Webb
Victorian Premier’s Design Award Best in Category – Digital Design
Three Corners of the City – James Berrett, Sonja Pedell and Simone Taffe, School of Design and Architecture, Swinburne University, City of Casey
Victorian Premier’s Design Award Best in Category – Fashion Design
Replica Project (Project #3) – Amanda Nicols for Replica Project
Victorian Premier’s Design Award Best in Category – Product Design
Biorithm – Femom – Biorithm and Design + Industry
Victorian Premier’s Design Award Best in Category – Service Design
Strongcare – Strongroom AI, Isabella Jorgensen, Strongroom AI Cloud Development Team and Strongroom AI Design Team
Victorian Premier’s Design Awards Best in Category – Student Design
Airlift – Fergus Davidson, Maneet Singh, Maireid Carrigg and RMIT University