Dulux Colour Awards 2011 Announces Judging Panel

The 2011 Dulux Colour Awards Celebrate 25 Years of
Design Excellence with Esteemed Judging Panel

The 2011 Dulux Colour Awards is celebrating its 25th year anniversary, having become a highly acclaimed industry accolade, which supports and acknowledges Australia and the South Pacific's most creative architects, specifiers, designers and students with their inspired use of colour.

Traditionally, the Dulux Colour Awards has been judged by leading lights in the Australian Design Community and 2011 is no exception with the announcement of judges Kerry Phelan from KPDO (Kerry Phelan Design Office), Australian fashion designer, Kirrily Johnston and Brian Zulaikha, a founding partner of architectural firm Tonkin Zulaikha Greer.

It's remarkable the stamp Kirrily Johnston has made on Australian fashion in such a short period of time. After training at the Melbourne Institute of Textiles she launched her label in 2004. In 2010 she was awarded the InStyle Women of Style Awards in the fashion category. Based in Sydney, her aim has always been to blend elegance with innovation, focusing on luxurious fabrics and quality craftsmanship.

"The Dulux Awards has been an incredible catalyst for advancing the world of colour as it has encouraged artists and designers to discover new, more subtle and exciting shades of colour. I am proud to be a part of this distinguished Award that has inspired the Architecture and Design Industry for 25 years."

Kerry Phelan established her own design practice, Kerry Phelan Design Office, in 2010, after 11 years as a founding director of Hecker Phelan & Guthrie. She now leads a team of young designers from her base in inner-city Melbourne, where their stable of work includes high-end residential, hospitality and retail projects located throughout Australia and South East Asia. With many awards to her name, Kerry commands the respect of the design industry.

"I believe in the concept of 'emotional design' and colour is a very emotive component within an interior," said Kerry. "The Dulux Colour Awards has always acknowledged and awarded creativity in the use of colour and for this reason, I am honoured to be a judge of the 2011 Dulux Colour Awards, Add Your Colours to History campaign."

Brian Zulaikha is a founding partner of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer established in 1987, and currently the National President Elect of the Australian Institute of Architects. Brian has a special interest in environmentally sustainable design and has undertaken several projects specifically associated with the principles of environmentally sustainable design. Brian's own house, the Zulaikha Laurence Residence, completed in early 2007 won the RAIA National Award for Residential Architecture (Houses).

Brian said of the Awards: "Dulux has been a household brand name since the mid 1900's and the Dulux Awards, celebrating its 25th Anniversary, has been an amazing catalyst for advancing the world of colour - introducing subtlety, shade and nuance. I'm proud to be able to participate in this pre-eminent Award in the Architecture and Design Industry."

Entry is now open for the Dulux Colour Awards in six categories: Residential Exterior, Residential Interior, Commercial Exterior, Commercial Interior and Sustainable Interior, as well as the Student category. Entries close AEST 5PM February 8th 2011.

Aside from the high profile acknowledgment, each category winner receives $1500 in prize money and a trophy. The Grand Prix prize includes the aforementioned as well as a return business-class airfare and five nights accommodation to attend the highly renowned International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York City.

As part of Dulux's sponsorship of Interior Designer Awards Colour in Commercial Interior Design and Colour in Residential Interior Design Awards, DCA finalists will be automatically entered into the Interior Designer Awards free of charge and all finalist projects will be displayed at designEX.

The Dulux Colour Awards will be announced at an innovative and avant-garde event befitting the 25th anniversary in Sydney on March 30th 2011 at the Paddington Town Hall.

www.dulux.com.au/colourawards