Australia’s most exceptionally designed hospitality venues were celebrated at the 2020 Eat Drink Design Awards, which were revealed in a virtual announcement on 18 November.
“Perhaps as a response to ‘these uncertain times,’ many of the award winners evoked a nostalgia for the past,” said the jury, which “saw a repeated return to European classicism, and a push towards inclusive spaces that were comforting and familiar.”
The jury also remarked that 2020 was “the year of the archway” as well as identifying bright flashes of colour and abundant use of gloss terrazzo as hallmarks of the designs this year.
“Pining for the days when we could visit our favourite restaurants, cafes, and bars, the jury was drawn to venues with sentimentality and tradition at their core, but executed in a contemporary way,” said jury chair Cassie Hansen. “This year’s exemplary field of winners successfully remember and celebrate the times of the past, but forge a new future; one we can’t wait to explore.”
The jury selected one iconic hospitality venue to enter the Eat Drink Design Awards Hall of Fame. Venues considered for this accolade have achieved a level of cultural significance as well as demonstrating longevity in an industry often categorized as transient.
The 2020 jury comprises Iva Foschia (founder, IF Architecture), Jonathan Richards (co-founder, Richards Stanisich), Frank Camorra (restauranteur, Movida), Gemima Cody (food and restaurant writer), and Cassie Hansen (editor of Artichoke magazine).
Find more information on these projects in the full list of winners below.
2020 Eat Drink Design Awards
Best Bar Design
Leigh Street Wine Room – Studio Gram
Best Restaurant Design – joint winners
Poly – Anthony Gill Architects
Osteria Tedesca – Cox Architecture
Best Cafe Design
There Cafe – Ewert Leaf
Best Installation Design
Orana in Residence – SJB with Orana, Promena Projects and Tracey Deep
Best Retail Design
Darling Exchange Market Hall – Anthony Gill Architects and Lendlease Design (base build architects of record)
Best Hotel Design
Tattersalls Hotel Armidale – Luchetti Krelle
Best Identity Design
Dopa – The Colour Club
Hall of Fame
Gin Palace – Skidmark Designs with Garner Davis Architects
Commendations
See the 17 commended projects across seven categories.
Winners, commended projects and the shortlist are all featured in Artichoke 73, along with a full jury overview. View all the entries and more images at the Eat Drink Design Awards gallery.
The 2020 Eat Drink Design Awards are organized by Architecture Media and supported by Chandon Australia, Latitude, and Roca. See all the shortlisted projects on the Eat Drink Design Awards website.
The Eat Drink Design Awards are endorsed by the Australian Institute of Architects and the Design Institute of Australia.
