Australia’s most exceptionally designed hospitality venues were celebrated at the 2019 Eat Drink Design Awards, which were announced at a ceremony in Melbourne on Tuesday 12 November.
The jury said, “There was one word that arose over and over during our deliberations: restraint.”
“The principle of restraint marked every single winner, as well as many commendations, though it was expressed in myriad ways.”
In 2019, there was a marked increase in entries from regional locations, which was also reflected in the winners of the awards.
“From a pink-hued bar in a country town with barely over 2,000 people, to a future-focused CBD restaurant, this year’s winners are very geographically diverse, indicating that in Australia, good design transcends location. It’s something that has permeated out to our suburbs and our regional areas, which should be applauded,” said Cassie Hansen, jury chair and editor of Artichoke magazine.
The jury also 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 2019 jury comprised Besha Rodell (restaurant critic for the New York Times’ Australia bureau), Nathan Toleman (restauranteur, CEO and founder of the Mulberry Group), Graham Charbonneau (co-founder of Studio Gram), Phillip Schemnitz (architect of Cookie, the 2018 Hall of Fame inductee) and Cassie Hansen (editor of Artichoke magazine).
Find more information on these projects in the full list of winners below.
2019 Eat Drink Design Awards
Best Bar Design
Blacksmith Lake Mulwala – The Stella Collective
Best Restaurant Design
Di Stasio Citta – Hassell
Best Cafe Design
Via Porta – Studio Esteta
Best Installation Design
The Magic Box – Liminal Objects with Van Tuil
Best Retail Design
Piccolina Collingwood – Hecker Guthrie
Best Hotel Design – joint winners
Drifthouse – Multiplicity
The Calile Hotel – Richards and Spence
Best Identity Design
Lagotto – Studio Hi Ho
Hall of Fame
Cumulus Inc – Pascale Gomes-McNabb
Commendations
See the 14 commended projects across seven categories.
Winners, commended projects and the shortlist are all featured in Artichoke 69, along with a full jury overview. View all the entries and more images at the Eat Drink Design Awards gallery.
The 2019 Eat Drink Design Awards are organized by Architecture Media and supported by major partner Chandon Australia; supporting partners Harbour, Latitude, Ownworld, Roca and Tasmanian Timber and event partners Four Pillars Gin, Jetty Road Brewery and S.Pellegrino.
The Eat Drink Design Awards are endorsed by the Australian Institute of Architects and the Design Institute of Australia.