The jury for the 2026 Australian Interior Design Awards has been revealed, featuring ten distinguished industry leaders contributing their expertise to the judging process.
Mardi Doherty is the founder and principal of Studio Doherty, a Melbourne-based interior design studio known for creating vibrant, thoughtfully crafted interiors that blend character, creativity and contemporary flair. With over 20 years of experience across residential, retail and hospitality design, Mardi combines a deep appreciation for Australia’s architectural heritage with a distinctive approach that celebrates colour, texture and detail.
Iva Foschia founded IF Architecture in 2010 and has since grown the practice’s portfolio to encompass diverse residential, commercial, and retail work. She brings a collaborative approach to every project, believing that early and open engagement with clients leads to more integrated and meaningful outcomes. Known for her curiosity and attention to detail, Iva approaches the design process as a journey that begins and ends in a uniquely realised place.
Paul Foskett serves as head of interior design for Populous’ Asia-Pacific region. Joining the London studio in 2004 and now based in Sydney, Paul has led the interior design efforts and interior design team management for a range of boutique hospitality spaces as well as large-scale, multi-venue commercial projects across the region.
Alessandra French is a co-founder of State of Kin, where she leads the interiors department and guides the overall creative vision of the practice. With more than 15 years of experience across the residential and commercial sectors, Alessandra brings a multidisciplinary approach shaped by her early exposure to her family’s long-standing construction company.
Tim Greer is a director of award-winning architecture practice Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects. He has an interest in existing urban fabric and the cultural elements it embodies, treating each project as an individual opportunity to create fresh contemporary forms.
Brahman Perera approaches interior design as a pursuit in experiential beauty. He applies his own lens through years of experience to compose natural textures, rich colour pairings and sculptural gestures, producing balanced and compelling interiors layered with personal touches. His pledge to personal expression is evident in his experimental lighting and textile designs, imbuing his projects with unique character, sentiment and authenticity.
Eva-Marie Prineas is the principal of Studio Prineas. Established in 2004, the studio is recognised for excellence in residential, adaptive reuse and commercial work. Eva-Marie is a hands-on designer with an intuitive approach to each project, drawing on an understanding of how to retain the value of existing built fabric while thoughtfully adapting it for contemporary life.
Kirsti Simpson is both studio chair and the global leader of workplace interior design for Woods Bagot. She is an internationally recognised designer who guides complex stakeholder engagements with strong leadership, effective communication, and a deep understanding of diverse interests. Her leadership style inspires informed decisions and fosters a collaborative environment.
Jury convenor Geraldine Maher founded Maher Design in 2018 after several successful years as a Director of Interiors at a large architectural firm. Maher Design works on projects across Australia from two studios located in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Sustainability advisor Katherine Featherstone has worked in the construction industry for over 25 years. With a background in industrial and retail design, she has a keen interest in design and in-depth experience with fitout and construction practices. As senior manager for products and materials at the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), Katherine is part of the effort to transform the way products and materials are procured and specified, seeking to reduce waste and enable the sector to access better materials.
Entries for the 2026 Australian Interior Design Awards are open until 13 February 2026. To enter, visit the Australian Interior Design Awards website.
The Australian Interior Design Awards are co-presented by the Design Institute of Australia and InteriorsAu and supported by Dulux, Space, Bowermans, Sub-zero and Wolf, Laminex, Elton Group, Roca, Nightworks and GH Commercial.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
