2021 Australian Interior Design Awards: Emerging Interior Design Practice

Jury comment

Eastop Architects is a practice that has developed a strong design direction in a relatively short period. Its portfolio displays predominantly residential projects that are well resolved and highly sophisticated, displaying an impressive facility for both architecture and interiors. Each project also offers a glimpse into the studio’s meticulous design approach. If this is what Eastop Architects has been capable of in its early years, then the practice has a stunning future ahead of it. The jury collectively agreed that the Melbourne-based studio established by Liam Eastop in 2017 is worthy of their support and recognition.

Practice profile

Eastop Architects was established in 2017 during the early stages of its first project, Rose Street. The studio operated from a front bedroom for just over a year. As a studio, it took any project it could get, with an aim of building a folio as quickly as possible, to learn and test ideas. Liam Eastop (principal) taught at both Monash and Melbourne universities for the first few years and continues to mentor in design. All of Eastop Architects’ work has come from referrals from clients and other contractors working within the industry – no family work. The practice is currently at job number 32, of which some have been built, some are still on the drawing board and some are unbuilt. Currently, Eastop Architects is a team of four.

Design practice — Eastop Architects

Project team — Liam Eastop, Lauren Trainor, Louis O’Connor

The Award for Emerging Interior Design Practice supported by Space. The Australian Interior Design Awards are presented by the Design Institute of Australia and Artichoke magazine. For more images of this project, see the Australian Interior Design Awards gallery.