Shortlist announced: Meet your (Emerging) Designer Awards finalists

House of Shadows by Atelier Marks Gaal, photography by Alex Brunton.

Now in its fourth year, The (Emerging) Designer Awards supports architects and designers at the most formative stage of their careers. Year on year, the program acts as a catalyst for practitioners in their first five years of business, offering those who enter meaningful opportunities for exposure, recognition and growth.

This year’s Shortlist was unanimously selected by an esteemed jury comprising Yasmine Ghoniem of YSG Studio, Chris Haddad of Archier, Alice Blackwood of Artedomus and SURFACE Edition, Thomas Coward of Artedomus and New Volumes, and Millie Thwaites of The Local Project. Those shortlisted demonstrate ingenuity and original design thinking, and an ability to interrogate and respond to a brief with a fresh and considered approach to problem solving.

“Presented by Artedomus and The Local Project, The (Emerging) Designer Awards shine a light on early-career designers who demonstrate originality and innovation through their exceptional project and product design. Each year, the calibre of entries continues to exceed our jury’s expectations, reflecting the ingenuity and creativity alive in Australian design today. Thank you to our wonderful jurors and congratulations to this year’s shortlisted designers, whose work represents the talent, skill and raw potential that fuels our design community,” says Phil Brenton, Managing Director, Artedomus.

The 2026 Shortlist is as follows.

Shortlisted for Residential Architecture

Atelier Marks Gaal for House of Shadows

House of Shadows by Atelier Marks Gaal, photography by Alex Brunton.

Atelier Marks Gaal for Yowani

Yowani by Atelier Marks Gaal, photography by Alex Brunton.

Bush Studio for Chewton House

Chewton House by Bush Studio, photography by Assignment Studio.

By Mysa for Silver House

Silver House by By Mysa, photography by Timothy Kaye.

CARD for Thornbury Eucalypt House

Thornbury Eucalypt House by CARD, photography by Tom Ross.

ESTUDIOMOTIF* for Six Acres

Six Acres by ESTUDIOMOTIF*, photography by Tom Ferguson.

Gritt Studio for Karijini House

Karijini House by Gritt Studio, photography by Jack Lovel.

Studio Carson Kelly for Little James

Little James by Studio Carson Kelly, photography by Dina Grinberg.

Studio Carson Kelly for Longview

Longview by Studio Carson Kelly, photography by Felix Forest.

Shortlisted for Residential Interior

CO AIKA for Soul Mate

Soul Mate by CO AIKA, photography by Dave Wheeler.

Jessica Alice Design for Filly House

Filly House by Jessica Alice Design, photography by Dion Robeson.

Studio Carson Kelly for First Pearl

First Pearl by Studio Carson Kelly, photography by Tasha Tylee.

Studio Shields for The View

The View by Studio Shields, photography by Martina Gemmola.

Together Design Studio for Watercolour Apartment

Watercolour Apartment by Together Design Studio, shoot styling by Jack Milenkovic, photography by Clinton Weaver.

Shortlisted for Commercial Interior

Atelier Marks Gaal for The Magenta Outhouse

Magenta Outhouse by Atelier Marks Gaal, photography by Alex Brunton.

Claire Markwick-Smith for Honeydripper

Honeydripper by Claire Markwick-Smith, photography by Jonathan van der Knaap.

CO AIKA for The Tropic

The Tropic, Terrigal by CO AIKA, photography by Dave Wheeler.

Occupy Studio for Rowie HQ

Rowie HQ by Occupy Studio, photography by Tasha Tylee.

SCAR STUDIO for The Church of the Nazerene

The Church of the Nazerene by SCAR STUDIO, photography by Browne Media.