PRESS RELEASE: Winners announced for the IFA Awards Programs 2020-2022 – Interior Fitout Awards and Design Awards

Tuesday 20 September 2022
For immediate release

Winners announced for the
IFA Awards Programs

IFA 2020 – 2022 Interior Fitout Awards
IFA 2020 – 2022 Design Awards

Australia’s holiday capital, The Gold Coast, played host to the Interior Fitout Association’s (IFA) awards gala dinner on Saturday 10 September, celebrating the wealth of talent throughout the nation’s interior fitout industry.

The IFA awards program provides the highest accolades to a vital industry that delivers innovation and creativity to retail, hospitality, and office spaces everywhere.

Martine Poulain, CEO of IFA, has commended the high standard maintained by the industry since the last awards in 2019. “The interior fitout industry, like many others, has faced difficult challenges over the pandemic years and, in fact, many of the projects celebrated were completed under unprecedented circumstances. The innovative and creative men and women of our industry have risen to the challenge, and it is an honour to applaud their efforts.”

With 28 categories, entries were received from across the country, with the winners announced in conjunction with the IFA 23rd National Conference on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

The Interior Fitout Awards, sponsored by Laminex, once again highlighted a high standard of craftsmanship – in restaurants, clubs, healthcare, commercial office spaces and more.

The highly sought-after National Interior Fitout of the Year Award went to JRCM Commercial Joinery, for its stunning fitout of Her Majesty’s Theatre in Adelaide. The immense and often complex refurbishment features curved bulkheads, feature ceilings and wall linings, as well as show-stopping twin spiral staircases, all working together to create a grand and opulent space worthy of its history and name.

On the other end of the scale, it’s worth noting that smaller projects can be equally successful. Indetail Projects’ fitout of Café Lafayette in Melbourne took out the top prize for the Food/Restaurant up to $250,000 category, with its clever use of stainless steel, glass and black datum floors contrasting the existing brickwork, bluestone, and timber columns of the 130-year-old heritage townhouse.

The Best Use of Sponsor’s Product (Laminex) award was once again won by Prestige Joinery (NSW), for the Australian Technology Park Building 2 (Foundry). From curved timber reception desks to food preparation and refrigeration hubs, and meeting rooms with extra-large whiteboard and cork walls, the ATP Building is a state-of-the-art work and lifestyle destination.

One of the more unique categories, the Australian Made award, recognises those companies that integrate Australian materials, promote Australian manufacturing, and support local master tradespeople. This year, the Australian Made Commercial award went to McConaghy Projects for the McConaghy Properties Corporate Office, and the Australian Made Retail award went to PQI Group for PASPALEY.

On a state level, Alexander Interiors was given top honour for NSW, with their impressive MECCA Flagship Store, while WA’s Diverse Project Group won their state award for their luxurious fitout of Watches of Switzerland. The top Victorian award went to ONE68 for the spicy and exotic Mejico/INDU, and Vos Construction & Joinery took out the Tasmanian award for Cascade Café & Bar Hobart Airport. PQI Group won their second award of the night, the Queensland win for their deluxe PASPALEY fitout, and the SA top honour went to JRCM for Her Majesty’s Theatre, also the National Winner.

The IFA 2020-2022 Design Awards, sponsored by Scentre Group, once again showcased the enviable talents of the designers who make our work and play spaces a joy to be in.

The Best Design Hospitality award winner, LiteCo Studio, took home the trophy for their unique mix of style and fun for the K Square Karaoke Lounge, while Best Design Commercial went to Clarke Hopkins Clarke for their innovative, modern fitout of the expansive DECO Innovation Centre. Ellivo Architects took out the top honour for Best Design Professional Suites for the inviting and sophisticated Go2 Health premises, and the Best Design Retail award went to Elvin Tan Design for Awesome Nails & Spa with its ultra-feminine palette.

“The IFA awards programs continue to place credit where it’s due – with the people behind some of our country’s most beautiful interior spaces. In the face of tighter budgets, constant technological changes, and ongoing skills shortages, it is heartening to see an industry that continues to go from strength to strength”, Ms Poulain concluded.

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