The Best Kitchens Unveiled

Founded in October 2020, the Kitchen of the Year Design Contest was created to honour truly unique and outstanding kitchen design.

Gaggenau appliances installed in a luxury dark kitchen with island worktop

‘Best of the Best’ - the Fitzroy Project

Congratulations to the Fitzroy Project – Robert Nichol & Sons for taking out the ‘Best of the Best’ Award in the Gaggenau Kitchen of the Year Design Contest 2021.

Southern Region Finalists:

Winner: Fitzroy Project by Robert Nichol & Sons

Runner-up: St Huberts by Robson Rak

Northern Region Finalists:

Winner: Hall 20 by Smart Design Studio

Runner-up: Penthouse II by Lawless & Meyerson

We would like to thank all the entrants and judges for supporting our inaugural Kitchen of the Year Design Contest.

Congratulations to all the shortlisted contestants and winners for 2021.

Special Commendations:
97 Mathoura Road Toorak by Carr
Habitus Townhomes by DKO Architecture

Gaggenau appliances installed in a luxury dark kitchen with island worktop

Best of the Best & Winner for Southern region – Fitzroy Project by Robert Nichol & Sons

Fitzroy Project by Robert Nichol & Sons was not only named the Winner for the Southern region but also took the Best of the Best award, coming through as the overall contest’s winner.

“This competition is a great opportunity to showcase and reward excellence in kitchen design. It is heightened by the fact it is hosted by a brand regarded as an industry-leading producer of premium kitchen appliances,” says David Nicholson, Director of Robert Nichol & Sons.

“Kitchen design is often the most challenging of all the rooms of a home, so any opportunity to showcase and promote what we have achieved next to our peers is valuable and rewarding. We are very proud of this kitchen and feel honoured to be considered among so many strong contenders.”

“This competition is a great opportunity to showcase and reward excellence in kitchen design. It is heightened by the fact it is hosted by a brand regarded as an industry-leading producer of premium kitchen appliances”

David Nicholson, Director of Robert Nichol & Sons.

View across an island worktop in a luxury dark kitchen
Gaggenau ovens installed in a luxury dark kitchen with island worktop

David thinks that texture is one of the elements that made their design stand out. “It’s interesting that of the 12 finalists, we were the only entry to feature a wall tile. This is a feature that we consider a hallmark of our projects, and we love the opportunities they present, in this case, the strong vertical lines and rich colour,” he explains.

“Texture is something we love. We recognise it’s not just a tactile experience, but a visual one too. In a project such as a kitchen where there are so many disparate elements, we see texture as an opportunity to introduce a mix of finishes, creating strong surface variations and producing a focal point within the home.”

“Winning is amazing, not only as recognition for our design but also against the calibre of the fellow finalists,” David adds, “What we are seeing in this selection is just how far kitchen design has progressed, where kitchens have now become the statement piece for house design.”

Gaggenau appliances installed in a luxury dark kitchen with island worktop

Winner for Northern region – Hall 20 by Smart Design Studio

Smart Design Studio’s striking, monolithic kitchen was named the Winner for the Northern region.

“Given the depth and strength of the Australian design industry, it was humbling to be shortlisted”

Aaron Wooster, Smart Design Studio’s Head of Interiors

Gaggenau appliances installed in a luxury dark kitchen with island worktop
View from adjoining room of a luxury dark kitchen with island worktop

“Given the depth and strength of the Australian design industry, it was humbling to be shortlisted,” says Aaron Wooster, Smart Design Studio’s Head of Interiors, and adds that it is even more so to win above the other talented contenders.

Gaggenau ovens installed in a large luxury kitchen with island worktop

St Huberts by Robson Rak – Runner-up ‘Southern Region’

In reflecting the materiality of a period home, St Hubert’s elegant kitchen space by Robson Rak is the Runner-up for the Southern region.

A large bright luxury kitchen with island worktop

Penthouse II by Lawless & Meyerson – Runner-up ‘Northern Region’

With sweeping harbour views and a robust kitchen island grounding the space, the refined Penthouse II design by Lawless & Meyerson was selected as the Runner-up for the Northern region.

Commendations

Gaggenau appliances installed in a luxury dark kitchen with island worktop

Habitus Townhomes by DKO Architecture

View from adjoining room of a luxury dark kitchen with island worktop

Mathoura Road by Carr

The sleek kitchen of the innovative Habitus Townhomes by DKO Architecture and the sophisticated space of Mathoura Road by Carr were both recognised as the Commendations for the Gaggenau Kitchen of the Year Design Contest 2021.

Decorations

Robert Nichol and Sons won an exclusive trip to Europe, as part of ‘The Best of the Best’ National Award for the Gaggenau Kitchen of the Year Design Contest 2021.

The prize included 2x return business airfares, 7 days in Europe, a Gaggenau factory tour at Lipsheim, France, a culinary experience, 6 nights’ accommodation in a 5-star hotel and hotel transfers.

The winner and runner up for each region received a culinary experience for two people at Penfolds in South Australia, including 2x domestic return economy airfares, 2 nights’ accommodation in a 5-star hotel and hotel transfers.