Architecture and Interiors category announced for Australian International Design Awards

Entries are now open for the annual Australian International Design Awards (AIDA), which are now in their fifth decade.

Early-bird entries are open until February 28 (these have a 20 per cent discount off the entry fee) with submissions closing on the 28 March and winners will be announced 30 May.

The Awards has launched additional categories relating to home and commercial design including Architecture and Interiors, Hardware and Building, Housewares and Objects, Furniture and Lighting, Domestic Appliances and Consumer Electronics.

The Architecture and Interiors category will see submissions of the best architecture, landscape, public spaces and facilities, office and retail fitouts, environmental signage, wayfinding, street equipment, environments and exhibitions from around the world.

Hardware and Building will see submissions of the best home hardware, power tools, garden and lawn care, pool care, home security, building products, plumbing, lighting systems and industrial fittings from around the world.

Managing director of Good Design Australia and Chair of the AIDA, Brandon Gien, believes the expansion of categories in 2013 will raise the calibre of entries.

“People often assess design based on visual appearance and functionality, however, we measure design based on the parameters of form, function, quality, safety and sustainability,” he said.

The AIDA has been the launch pad for some of Australia’s most well-known inventions and designs including the Hills Hoist, the design of the Ute and recently the Deepsea Challenger, a submersible that allowed Titanic director James Cameron to explore previously unreachable ocean depths.

Aligning with VIVID Sydney for the 2013 awards, the AIDA has put together a judging panel and forum of representatives from countries including Sweden and USA.