Dulux Colour Awards 2026

“From a sweeping array of entries, encompassing myriad typologies, to see what may otherwise have ended up as another piece of urban neglect be transformed so masterfully that it trumps the competition is refreshing, to say the least. This ambitious project, beneath a newly raised train line in Perth, Western Australia, spans a remarkable seven kilometres across six suburbs, making it the largest public artwork in the Southern Hemisphere. It is not only epic in scale, but also contention, and we don’t underestimate the challenge to achieve such a sophisticated result when considering the involvement of so many stakeholders. Conceived as a continuous seam of moving colour across the surfaces of the concrete piers, the palette progresses from cool teals and greens near the city, through to warm reds and yellows as the line extends towards the hills. This isn’t a gradual tonal shift, instead it is expressed in blocks and pops of colour contrasting with black, white and grey to dramatic graphic effect. In an exemplar of artful placemaking, each suburb has a distinct chromatic identity so as to retain cohesion across the trail’s entirety. Aesthetic considerations were married with the practical, resulting in the durable Dulux Weather Shield Low Sheen Acrylic being specified for the high-traffic outdoor setting. As art meets infrastructure, this urban precinct is transformed into an evolving expression of colour in motion – dynamic, unique and uplifting.”

Alix Smith, judge

"It's beautiful to see houses that operate within a shared framework can be subtly differentiated through thoughtful colour application. Located in a socially diverse residential development in Christchurch, colour plays a fundamental role in expressing the identities of the varied housing types - affordable rentals, progressive ownership homes and market residences. While the relaxed, coastal setting suggests ease, the community has experienced economic challenges and the impacts of natural disaster; the collective action across community, not‑for‑profit and public‑sector partners enabled the delivery of this much‑needed development

As a community‑driven project, the design ambition prioritised a context‑specific approach, with the exterior palette drawing directly from the surrounding beachside environment, the area’s vibrant traditional huts, and a former theatre once located on the site - an historic symbol of joy and hope. The architects also worked closely with individual homeowners to refine a shared palette of whites and softened candy tones, ensuring colour reinforces personal identity while strengthening a sense of cohesion, place and shared values.

Te Pākau Maru translates to ‘the sheltering wing’ or ‘place of joy’, and the care applied to each colour decision gives tangible expression to this meaning. The resulting environment evokes warmth, protection and optimism, demonstrating the capacity for colour to contribute not only to architectural clarity but to social wellbeing. The project sets an important benchmark for this housing typology, with relevance and impact extending well beyond its immediate context."

Alix Smith, judge