Jury citation: The Calile Hotel in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley is a prime example of a large budget put to fantastic use. The design works to conjure an impressive sense of luxe escapism, creating a resort atmosphere despite its intensely urban location. Its white brick, stone and expressed concrete structure and restrained colour palette is unique and striking enough that it already has a sense of the iconic. The attention to even the smallest detail – particularly on such a large and ambitious project – is wildly impressive. The Calile Hotel is a joint winner in this category. The Calile Hotel, 48 James St, Fortitude Valley QLD. thecalilehotel.com.

Jury citation: There are a lot of bold choices in the design of Via Porta, a cafe and deli in Mont Albert, and yet the result is a space that is inviting above all else. Meant to evoke the narrow alleyways of Italy, the floor is paved in stone offcuts procured from various suppliers and painstakingly fitted to create a unique and textured warmth. The sandy stones set the tone for the space’s lovely earth-hued palette, creating a feel that is tactile and intimate. The flow from the dining room to the retail area to the counter encourages interaction with the space, and allows customers to engage with the business in a multitude of ways. Via Porta, 677 Whitehorse Rd, Mont Albert VIC. viaporta.com.au.

Jury citation: There is a beautiful simplicity to the design of Blacksmith in Mulwala, New South Wales, and a sophistication that is all the more exciting given the venue’s regional location. The proportions of the indoor/outdoor space are well controlled, with the palette and materials showing incredible restraint and elegance. This restraint allows the few pops of whimsy to have a greater impact: vintage-style pink patio umbrellas might get lost in a busier design, but here they evoke 1970s Southern California without devolving into cliché. Blacksmith Lake Mulwala, 84 Melbourne St, Mulwala. blacksmithprovedore.com.

Jury citation: Where much hospitality design these days relies on nostalgia for bygone eras, Di Stasio Citta on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD looks boldly forward. As much art installation as dining room, the restaurant’s striking minimalism combines with modern uses of technology and a remarkable level of restraint. There is no signage on the exterior, and blank stucco walls have no switches, power points or control panels, while the bar hides all working areas. This is a design aesthetic that prioritises what is not seen, with guest experience the most important factor. Di Stasio Citta, 45 Spring St, Melbourne VIC. distasio.com.au/citta.

A small boutique hotel in Victoria’s Port Fairy, Drift House’s design impresses with its intimacy, its emphasis on pared-down, natural materials and its striking sense of place. Encompassing a double-storey Victorian bluestone house, an adjacent single-storey Edwardian home, and a newly built garden pavilion and reception centre, the project uses reclaimed wood and stone from a local quarry to create a subtle sense of luxury that also reflects the town’s hardscrabble history. Communal spaces are cleverly designed to be adaptable, inviting a sense of home and comradery that’s rare in any hotel setting. The Drifthouse was a joint winner for this category. Drifthouse, 98 Gipps St, Port Fairy VIC. drifthouse.com.au.

Jury citation: The Collingwood outpost of popular gelato shop Piccolina works to evoke Southern Italy without the need for blunt literal interpretation. Elements of the historic building were defining factors for the overall design of the project: original interior brickwork was exposed, as well as layers of light green, cream and brown paint, which became the inspiration for the colour palette of the shop. Original terrazzo floors and a pressed metal ceiling were also restored, giving the space an authentic vintage feel, while clean lines in the gelato counter, seating and signage modernise the space. Piccolina, 296 Smith St, Collingwood VIC. piccolinagelateria.com.au.

Jury citation: The illustrations, artwork and photography employed by Lagotto, an all-day eatery in Melbourne’s Fitzroy North, is both playful and stylish, and gives the customer a sense of the type of hospitality on offer. The venue’s name is in reference to the Lagotto Romagnolo, an Italian breed of waterdog often used to hunt truffles. That reference is reflected in an illustrated dog that acts as the restaurant’s mascot, appearing on coasters, business cards and menus – an unusual but highly effective marketing tool that serves to distinguish the business and give it a sense of warmth and personality. Lagotto, 1 York St, Fitzroy North VIC. cafelagotto.com.au.