In pictures: Burly Bar commended at Dulux Awards

The winners of the 2025 Dulux Colour Awards have been named with Burly Bar in Melbourne receiving a judges’ commendation.

The awards recognise the “most inspired and transformative examples of colour use in the built environment”.

Award organisers said that this year’s winners, were selected from projects across Australia and New Zealand, and were awarded because they challenge conventional genres and break traditional norms, impressing with their bold ambition and intricate creativity.

“It never ceases to amaze us how conceptually courageous and strategically sophisticated the colour schematics are, year on year,” said Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux Colour and Communications Manager.

“Our aim with the Dulux Colour Awards is to reveal and reward the ultimate exemplars of architectural innovation using Dulux Colour as a central design device, therefore highlighting its unique potential to transform our built environment.”

There are a number of different categories for the awards, with ‘Public & Hospitality’ recognising bars and venues. The winner in this category was Melbourne Place hotel, with Burly Bar commended by the judges.

Judging comments on Burly Bar were: “Burly Bar by Studio Plenty is as much a brand statement as a venue for imbibing artisanal spirits. Situated within the Currumbin industrial estate, it is the public face of the local distiller Burly Gin and draws upon the bougie boutique vibe of the brand’s product designs for its aesthetic blueprint.

“With opaque bottles of saturated colour, Burly’s graphic identity is translated into an immersive interior across two distinct spaces: a ground-floor bar and a mezzanine lounge. Within these, the diverse textural layers of polished plaster, painted trusses, fabrics and finishes are imbued with shades of red, brown and amber, strategically integrated so as to read as a cohesive whole.

“What stands out here is the fine manipulation of light to enhance the palette and create a seductive interplay of opacity and translucency. It demonstrates a deep understanding of the versatility of colour.”

See photos of Burly Bar below: