The (Emerging) Designer Awards 2026 at Chin Chin, Sydney. Image: Authentic Design Alliance.
Artedomus and The Local Project named the 2026 winners of The (Emerging) Designer Awards last week at Chin Chin, Sydney.
Now in its fourth year, the program recognises architects and designers in their first five years of practice. Artedomus managing director Phil Brenton and The Local Project founder and CEO Aidan Anderson hosted more than 150 guests from across Australia.
“We wanted to create a platform that celebrates great design and actively supports emerging designers” Phil Brenton, Artedomus
The Authentic Design Alliance® and the Regional Architecture Association have been strategic partners for the awards for the past three years.
Emerging Designer Awards: 2026 winners and commendations
Residential Architecture
Winner: Atelier Marks Gaal for Yowani
Commended: Gritt Studio for Karijini House
Residential Interior
Winner: Jessica Alice Design for Filly House
Commended: Studio Shields for The View
Commercial Interior
Winner: Occupy Studio for Rowie HQ
Commended: SCAR STUDIO for Church of the Nazarene
Product Designer
Winner: Marlo Lyda of Marlo Lyda Studio
Commended: Jasper Herzstein of Herzstein Design
Marlo Lyda graduated from Eindhoven, is a 2025 George Alexander Foundation Fellow, and was named in Vogue Living’s VL50 this year.
Marlo Lyda receives the 2026 Product Designer award from Aidan Anderson of The Local Project. Image: Authentic Design Alliance.
Award winner prize package
Winners in Residential Architecture, Residential Interior and Commercial Interior each receive a video feature worth $150,000, with exposure to The Local Project’s audience of more than 4.9 million. The Product Designer winner receives a contract with New Volumes to produce their design for its permanent collection, with international distribution.
Jordan Fleming won in 2024 and has since launched her Élan Console and Mirrors with New Volumes, made from Italian terracotta and sold through Artedomus.
Jordan Fleming’s Élan Console and Mirrors for New Volumes, available through Artedomus. Image courtesy of Artedomus.
Locki Humphrey took out the 2025 award. Bolaji Teniola (2024) and DUTOIT (2025) were commended.
The program began in 2023 with two categories. Office MI-JI won Residential for AB House, and Studio Plenty won Commercial for Light Years.
The 2026 jury
This year, Chris Haddad, Archier; Yasmine Ghoniem, YSG Studio; Alice Blackwood, editorial director, SURFACE Edition and Artedomus; Millie Thwaites, The Local Project; and Thomas Coward, creative director, Artedomus and New Volumes, helmed the jury.
The 2026 jury. Image courtesy of Artedomus and The Local Project.
The awards return in 2027.
See the (Emerging) Designer Awards at The Local Project
FAQ
What are The (Emerging) Designer Awards?
A national program run by Artedomus and The Local Project that recognises Australian architects and designers in their first five years of practice.
What are the Emerging Designer Award 2026 categories?
Residential Architecture, Residential Interior, Commercial Interior and Product Designer.
What are the Emerging Designer Award prizes?
A video feature worth $150,000 for each of the three architecture and interior winners, and a New Volumes production contract, with international distribution, for the Product Designer winner.
Who won the 2026 Product Designer award?
Marlo Lyda of Marlo Lyda Studio, with Jasper Herzstein of Herzstein Design commended.
How does the Authentic Design Alliance support the awards?
The ADA is a strategic partner for the program, alongside the Regional Architecture Association, backing original work from emerging designers.
