Entries are now open for the 37th Dulux Colour Awards, inviting architects, interior designers, specifiers and students from New Zealand and Australia to submit projects that demonstrate an innovative, strategic and commendable use of colour across exterior and interior residential, public and commercial spaces.

A panel of recognised industry experts will judge the 2023 awards entrants based on innovation, expression and execution of colour.

Dulux Colour Specialist, Davina Harper says the annual awards programme provides an opportunity to further the discussion of colour in design, inspire industry-wide colour exploration in built environments, and recognise emerging and established design talent.

“The Dulux Colour Awards celebrate the creativity of design practitioners who use colour to enhance form — transforming an architectural space from something ordinary to extraordinary,” says Harper. “Architects and designers continue to push the boundaries with sophisticated, considered and innovative ways to use colour in their projects — we are looking forward to seeing this year’s awards entrants.” Dulux encourages entries from individuals, groups, partnerships, and those working in larger practices, no matter the scale or scope of work.

The 2023 Dulux Colour Awards is accepting entries until Wednesday 1 March 2023 across the following categories:

1. Commercial Interior — Workplace and Retail: Interior paint finishes of any commercial or industrial building, e.g. offices, studios, factories, retail outlets, shopping centres.
2. Commercial Interior — Public and Hospitality: Interior paint finishes of any commercial or industrial building e.g. community centres, museums, theatres, places of worship, cafes, restaurants, fitness centres, hotels, installations, event spaces, education and healthcare facilities.
3. Commercial and Multi-Residential Exterior: Exterior paint finishes of any commercial, industrial or educational facility or multi-residential development and/or apartment building.
4. Residential Interior: Interior paint finishes of a private residence, including single and multi-residential.
5. Single Residential Exterior: Exterior paint finishes of a private single residence.
6. Student (Years 1-6, NZ and AU): Paint specification by architecture or interior design students who are currently undertaking or have recently completed (within the past 12 months) a course by a recognised university or college.
7. Celebrating the best-in-show, the coveted New Zealand Grand Prix award will be selected from the New Zealand finalists and the Australian Grand Prix will be chosen from the Australian category winners. Both winners will be given the opportunity to take part in and travel to the Creative Colour Awards — a Dulux affiliated global design competition that celebrates colours in design on an international scale. (The student category is excluded from Grand Prix consideration).

However, in a first for Dulux, the talent and achievements of budding professionals from both countries will be acknowledged with the introduction of a Student (Years 1-6) Award for New Zealand and Australia. Winners of the Student categories will also be invited to participate in and travel to the Dulux affiliated global design competition, AYDA (previously know as the Asia Young Designer Awards).

The 37th Dulux Colour Awards will deviate from its monetary prize pool; instead endorsing individual and business category winners by showcasing their talent on an international scale through promotional activity via Dulux-owned digital platforms and where appropriate, paid third parties. In addition to the above, winners of the Student (Years 1-6) Awards will still receive a monetary prize.

Projects must have been completed between 1 September 2021 to 31 December 2022 and may not have been previously entered into this awards programme. Projects will be assessed by a panel of industry leaders. The shortlist of finalists will be announced on Wednesday 15 March on the Dulux website.

Winners will be announced at the 37th Dulux Colour Awards Celebration on Thursday 11 May 2023.