HERO Shortlists Alongside Washington DC Embassy in 2024 Australian Interior Design Awards

The creative powerhouse has been recognised for its head office design “HERO HOUSE”, located in Prahran as the growing agency’s Melbourne HQ.

The Australian Interior Design Awards list celebrates Australia’s best interior design around the world, across hospitality venues, retailers, homes, workplaces and art galleries. Architectural projects including Aesop and Oroton’s headquarters are named alongside HERO in the workplace category. The Embassy of Australia in Washington DC is listed in the public design category, alongside the revamped library and members’ lounge at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The Lisa Gorman and Mirka Mora exhibition at Warrnambool Art Gallery and the Carla Zampatti exhibition at Powerhouse have been recognised in the installation design category. Sarah & Sebastian’s bunker-like jewellery store, the new G McBean Family Butcher and Albury’s joyful Monumental Ice Creamery are on the shortlist for retail spaces. Plus, 65 private homes – including ones in the Netherlands, France and New Zealand, designed by Australian architects – made the cut.

HERO House was officially unveiled in 2023, with the converted warehouse being transformed by Architect Patrick Jost of Jost Architects, and renowned interior designer Brahman Perera.

“This building sits in the gritty inner Melbourne back blocks of Prahran and the project involved converting an asbestos-ridden linen wholesaler’s warehouse into a vibrant, creative office. Ben (Lilley) was insistent on applying HERO’s brand colour – and his favourite hue – throughout: an intense tangerine. This may have sounded like it was a challenge but on the contrary made it an easy design solution” said Patrick Jost, director of Jost Architects.

“Our works included a new entry foyer in the old loading dock, restorative works on the brick façade, a basement refurbishment, solar power installation and a feature illuminated street entry. We couldn’t be more proud of the final result”

Interior designer Brahman Perera said, “HERO’s new workspace required special zoning and spatial planning for a dynamic agency team with an extensive roster of blue-chip clients. So it had to be both creative and corporate.”

“The vivid use of the agency’s signature orange branding was tantamount to the design language, creating a vibrant space to personify their vibrant team. HERO is also a highly-awarded business and we felt the interior design should be award-worthy as well. Just to be shortlisted in the Australian Interior Design Awards is an honour.” continued Perera.

Known for his lasting legacy in pushing creative boundaries and penchant for tangerine, Ben Lilley, creative chairman and founder of HERO said “We designed HERO HOUSE to be a true creative hub not just for advertising and marketing, but all facets of creativity. That’s why we also house a commercial theatre in the building, operated by MC Showroom, as well as a sound studio run by Paxus productions, and we operate as an event space for our charity partner Igniting Change. It’s always a privilege to have our creativity recognised at industry award shows, but it’s a real honour to have the creativity of our building recognised at the Australian Interior Design Awards as well.”

Proving to be a major independent agency player through award-winning creative for the likes of Maybelline and Toyota, HERO’s diverse client portfolio includes Bakers Delight, Bumble, Calbee, Centrum, Mastercard, Reckitt, ENGIE, Sirena, Build Group, Princeton Financial Services, Hawaii Tourism, FujiFilm and Alba Hot Springs. The winners of the global 2024 Australian Interior Design Awards will be announced at a gala dinner in Sydney on June 14.