ASOFIA 2018 - 2019 Interior Fitout Awards
ASOFIA 2018 - 2019 Design Awards
2019 ASOFIA / Thomas Brown Apprentice of the Year Awards
The nation's capital played host to the Australian Shop & Office Fitting Industry's major awards programs this weekend, and fittingly featured winners from all over Australia.
The ASOFIA 2018-2019 Interior Fitout Awards, are the highest honours of shopfitting and celebrate the wealth of talent within the industry that delivers innovation and creativity to retail, hospitality and office spaces everywhere.
As shopping centres move more into leisure and entertainment centres, retail design and aesthetics have continued to create spaces that invite us to stay a while and enjoy not only the shopping, but also the environment. The Awards, hosted by the Australian Shop & Office Fitting Industry Association (ASOFIA), recognise the outstanding contribution the industry is making, in changing the way we shop.
With 22 categories, entries were received from across the country, with the winners announced in conjunction with ASOFIA's 22nd National Conference in Canberra.
Sponsored by Laminex, the Awards once again highlighted some incredible examples of beautiful design and craftsmanship - in restaurants, clubs, healthcare, commercial office spaces and more - all completed over the past 18 months.
Gerard Ryan, CEO of ASOFIA, has once again praised the outstanding level of works submitted for the Awards. "The standard of fit out continues to rise, and the level of design we are seeing is extraordinary. The fitout industry is rising to the many new challenges in retail, and showing the talent that exists within our membership," Gerard said at the Awards ceremony.
The highly sought-after National Interior Fitout of the Year Award went to RYDE JOINERY, for their multi-million-dollar T4 Gaming fitout at Canterbury League Club. The stunning refurbishment features custom joinery, timbers, metal surfaces, stone and laminates to create a complex and beautiful space that is unique and luxurious.
"This is one of the most incredible fit outs, in every way. A thoroughly deserved win," Gerard said.
And it wasn't just the big dollar projects which were successful. Clever design and quality construction were the standout elements in the winner of the 'Fitout up to $150k' category. INDETAIL JOINERY won this honour with their stylish fitout of Act of Wine in Victoria.
The Best Use of Laminex award was taken out by PRESTIGE JOINERY, for their impressive use of this adaptive product across kitchens, work hubs, a childcare fitout, reception areas, pods and more.
"Each year, the entries are more and more impressive. The industry is really taking on the changing face of retail and making it more creative, more professional and more exciting. The winners presented stand-out projects worthy of recognition – not only at our Awards, but across the industry," Mr Ryan said.
One of the more unique categories, the Australian Made Award, celebrates all things Australian, and recognises those companies that integrate Australian materials, promote Australian manufacturing and support local master tradespeople. This year the award was taken out by UNITA, for their Place Woolloongabba office fitout – a one-of-a kind boutique workspace tailored to work within one of the area's oldest buildings, complimenting the history of the building and the innovative brand of the occupants.
At a state level, RYDE JOINERY took out the NSW award for their glamourous fitout of the Canterbury League Club Banyan Café while Victoria's ONE68 won their state award for their extensive, custom re-build of the Ocean 12 nightclub. Tasmania's award was taken away by VOS CONSTRUCTION & JOINERY for their beautifully finished project Eternal Women's Health, and in Queensland a high-end fitout of a Louis Vuitton retail space saw PROJECTS QUEENSLAND pick up the prize. Another fashion retail space was deemed the winner in Western Australia, where DIVERSE SHOPFITTERS were awarded the top spot for their Camilla and Marc design.
The ASOFIA 2018-2019 Design Awards had three Category Sponsors; Scentre Group for Best Design Retail, Hasbuilt Projects for Best Design Commercial and USG Boral for Best Design Professional Suites.
In the design awards, colour, scale, bold statements and clever planning were used to create spaces that became destinations in themselves.
The Best Design Hospitality award winner, COLLECTIVUS, took home the trophy for their blend of contemporary design with traditional Japanese detail in the custom-created dining space at Ichi Ban Sushi. The unique design features included custom wall graphics, signage and colour to enthuse diners and break away from the common sushi train style of eatery.
Best Design Commercial went to ELLIVO ARCHITECTS for their major refurbishment of the QLD Master Builders office. There were many facets of design to be considered, as well as heritage considerations and a client with more than a passing interest in quality construction and workmanship.
MEDIFIT DESIGN & CONSTRUCT were announced winners of the Best Design Professional Suites award for their work at Diverse Dental. The concept needed to be inviting, modern and appeal to kids as much as adults. The award-winning design did just that.
MASTERPLANNERS INTERIORS's design for Pantryman WA, stood out as the winner for the Best Design Retail – Independent, with the modern industrial feel, hero lighting and custom shelving catching the judges' eye.
Best Design Retail – National was won by ACRD for the Telstra Shop VIC which was a triumph that brought together the possibilities of the future with innovative products, interactive customer spaces and brand messaging. ACRD's Telstra Future Retail Environment, the Glen, is the first store to roll out the new look.
It seems the future of shopfitting is also in good hands, with the 2019 ASOFIA / Thomas Brown Apprentice of the Year Awards again being a very tight race between the five state winners vying for the coveted national award. The standard of work produced by young workers is increasing every year, making the judging a particularly difficult task. Ultimately, the national award was won by LACHLAN FALSON, of RYDER SHOP AND OFFICE FITTING. With last year's national winner also part of the RYDER team, these young men are proving that hard work and talent go a long way.
"These awards programs continue to shine a light on the tremendous standard of work our industry is producing, in the face of tighter budgets, bigger expectations and continuous technology demands. The future is very bright for ASOFIA members, and we once again congratulate all our winners!" Mr Ryan concluded.
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Notes:
• A full list of winners attached.
