Dulux Colour Awards '08 esteemed panel of judges released

High profile French interior designer Frédérique Houssard-Andrieux has this week been named the international guest judge for the 2008 Dulux Colour Awards. Mme Houssard-Andrieux joins two of Australia's most respected design professionals, architect Michael Rayner of award-winning firm Cox Rayner, and Margot Spalding of furniture and homewares retail icon Jimmy Possum.

At just 30 years of age, Frédérique Houssard-Andrieux has carved an enviable international reputation for herself following the 2005 completion of the Airbus A380, which was met with frenzied attention from media worldwide.

Sporting the official title of Customised Design Manager Trim and Finish / Research and Development Sensory Design, Houssard-Andrieux's responsibility extends to colour design for all Airbus interior designs, making her a natural, highly skilled judging choice for next year's Dulux Colour Awards.

"The critical role colour plays in the design of Airbus interiors cannot be underestimated. It is imperative the palette works with other design features to ensure as pleasant a traveling experience as possible, particularly given the duration of flights. I am excited to discover the application of colour in Australian design and I am honoured to judge next year's Dulux Colour Awards," said Houssard-Andrieux.

Houssard-Andrieux also teaches design at Toulouse's University of Applied Arts.

Cox Rayner Principal Michael Rayner is an equally impressive choice of judge for the 2008 programme.

Rayner has won major awards for significant public buildings in Queensland such as The Goodwill Bridge, James Street Market, Brisbane Magistrates Court and most recently Thuringowa Riverway. Internationally his practice has designed Singapore EXPO and the 'double-helix' Marina Bay Pedestrian Bridge, currently under construction also in Singapore.

"When we design, materials, textures and colours are all in our minds at the earliest conceptual stage. But the wonderful thing about paint colour is it is the easiest aspect to change over time so that buildings stay alive and keep surprising us. Dulux has been our ally for more years than I can remember and so I am thrilled to be a panel member for the Awards," said Rayner.

Jimmy Possum's Margot Spalding completes the trio of esteemed judges for next year's programme.

Co-owner and co-director of the famous retail store, Spalding started the business with her husband 12 years ago. With retail outlets across the Eastern seaboard and over 150 skilled employees forming part of the Jimmy Possum family, Spalding joined an exclusive posse of Australian women when she won the 2006 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year.

Spalding's eye for premium design and bold, beautiful colours lends a particularly strong emphasis on interior design to next year's judging panel.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how Dulux colour is integrated into the overall design process, working with other elements such as lighting, space, furniture and finishes. It will be a delight to judge alongside Michael and Frédérique and be exposed to different perspectives given we all come from such diverse backgrounds," said Spalding.

The Dulux Colour Awards 2008 will be judged in March next year, followed by an exclusive Awards Ceremony. Entries are now open.