Architects, designers, specifiers and students are invited to show their imaginative use of colour with entries for the 2013 Dulux Colour Awards now open.

Now in its 27th year, the awards is all about how architects and interior designs apply colour to transform the three dimensional spaces they create.

Dulux Colour & Communications Consultant, Bree Leech, said the Dulux Colour Awards is Australasia’s prestigious showcase of colour application in both residential and commercial design.

“Colour is an integral element in the overall design process. It has effects that are not only symbolic but also emotional, and in 2013, we’re looking forward to receiving entries that push the boundaries and use innovation, imagination and flair to showcase colour in architecture and interior design,” Leech said.

Designed by Billard Leece Partnership & Bates Smart, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, was crowned as the 2012 Dulux Colour Awards Grand Prix and Commercial Interior category winner.

According to Kristen Whittle, Director at Bates Smart and the lead designer for the Royal Children’s Hospital project, colour was a key part of the design process and was used as a way-finding mechanism for the hospital.

The categories in the 2013 Dulux Colour Awards are:

  • Commercial Interior
  • Commercial Exterior
  • Single Residential Interior
  • Single Residential Exterior
  • Multi Residential Interior
  • Multi Residential Exterior
  • Student
  • Grand Prix

Each category winner will receive AU$1,000 in prize money and a trophy. All entries, except for the student category, will also stand the chance of taking out the Grand Prix title. The Grand Prix winner with receive AU$1,500, a trophy and a trip to a feted design event.

The Dulux Colour Awards student winner will have the opportunity to develop a limited edition range of paint colours as part of the Designer for Dulux collection. Elvin Tan, the 2012 Dulux Colour Awards Student winner, developed a palette that referenced a wider range of bold Dulux products that ‘excites the senses’ and provides inspiration.

Entries for all seven categories are open now until 8 February 2013.

Information on the 2013 Dulux Colour Awards and details on how to enter can be found atwww.dulux.com.au/colourawards

The 2013 Dulux Colour Awards winners will be announced at a gala function in March 2013.