 |
Lisa Hunt
DIRECTOR
SPH ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS
|
|
Lisa is an accomplished interior designer with over 20 years of experience, particularly within the specialised fields of health, mental health, and aged care. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), she combines her extensive design expertise with proven leadership skills, reflecting her commitment to both creative excellence and strategic direction. Her career is defined by an ability to navigate complex projects while delivering outcomes that balance aesthetics, functionality, and care-focused environments.
What distinguishes Lisa is her dedication to contemporary design principles and her collaborative ethos, built on a “listen first, then respond” approach. This mindset fosters strong partnerships between SPH’s design team, clients, and stakeholders, resulting in innovative, highly functional spaces. By blending creativity with precision and leadership, Lisa has established herself as both a respected designer and an influential voice in her industry.
|
“If you’re a designer aiming to enter the design awards, focus less on chasing the win and more on creating great design. Awards should be a byproduct of meaningful design, not the goal.” – Lisa Hunt
|
 |
Shirley Cooper
PRINCIPAL
BALDASSO CORTESE
|
With more than 20 years of experience, Shirley has built her career as a dedicated interior designer across a wide range of project typologies. She is known for developing strong and purposeful interior solutions that align closely with each project brief, while ensuring that every space feels inviting and well-coordinated. Her ability to balance creativity with functionality allows her to deliver interiors that are not only visually striking but also deeply considered in their use.
Shirley thrives in collaborative environments, working closely with clients, consultants, and architectural teams to bring concepts to life. Her strengths lie in her keen attention to detail, thoughtful material and finish selections, and hands-on involvement in all project phases. From concept development and presentations to user group sessions, meetings, and site visits, Shirley’s role ensures that design integrity is maintained at every stage, resulting in interiors that are both distinctive and enduring.
|
“My advice for designers wanting to enter is go for it! Remember, it can be bold, it can be beautiful, it can be understated, it can be creative, it can be restrained, it just has to capture your vision”. -Shirley Cooper
|
 |
Nathan Wundersitz
FOUNDER
SPACECRAFT JOINERY
|
Nathan’s design journey began in 1994 when he first stepped into a workshop as an apprentice. Those early years on the tools, mastering the intricacies of form and function, ignited a lifelong passion for design. In 2008, he founded SpaceCraft, creating a studio dedicated to delivering unique, one-of-a-kind interiors. His career is underpinned by a commitment to craftsmanship and personalisation, resulting in spaces that are as meaningful as they are beautiful.
Over the years, Nathan has honed his expertise with a Certificate IV in Kitchen, Bathroom, and Interior Design, specialising in kitchen design. His ability to interpret each client’s lifestyle and aspirations sets him apart, ensuring every brief is brought to life with balance, proportion, scale, and colour. With more than 40 industry awards across KBDi, ACFA, and HIA programs, Nathan is widely recognised for his innovation and excellence. For him, design is not just about creating interiors—it’s about crafting spaces that feel uniquely personal.
“If you’re thinking about entering design awards, sharing your work is one of the easiest ways to get your name out there —whether that’s with peers, the industry, or future clients.
It’s also a great chance to see how your designs sit alongside others, giving you a bit of reassurance and some valuable self-reflection.
Plus, the marketing upside can be huge—sometimes it’s the best kind of exposure you don’t have to chase.” – Nathan Wundersitz
|
|
|
 |
Jessica Hersch
PRINCIPAL
LIIFE ARCHITECTURE
|
|
Jessica Hersch is the Director of Liife Architecture, a Brisbane-based studio recognised for its work across hospitality, commercial, and residential projects. With more than 15 years of experience, she approaches design with a balance of creativity, strategy, and collaboration. Her portfolio includes clubs, hotels, bars, and boutique residences, each shaped by her commitment to placemaking, sustainability, and future-focused solutions.
As both a designer and leader, Jessica brings warmth and clarity to the design process, ensuring every project is both visionary and practical. Her ability to navigate materiality and detail allows her to deliver spaces that are not only visually engaging but also enduring and functional. In her role as a judge, she draws on her industry expertise and passion for meaningful design to recognise projects that elevate both everyday life and business.
|
“If your project made a space feel more welcoming, more meaningful, more joyful — it’s worth sharing. Your work adds value, even if it doesn’t shout.” – Jessica Hersch
|
 |
Ingrid Kelly
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
COX ARCHITECTURE
|
Ingrid Kelly leads the Interior Team at COX Architecture and brings more than 25 years of experience as a highly accomplished interior designer. Her portfolio spans a diverse range of sectors including workplace, education, hospitality, retail, and public spaces. This breadth of experience allows her to draw on a rich cross-pollination of design strategies, applying insights from one sector to strengthen and inspire solutions in another.
Passionate about design in all its forms, Ingrid is dedicated to ensuring every project meets client needs both functionally and aesthetically. She places strong value on the design process itself, recognising that each stage plays a critical role in achieving successful outcomes. Her leadership is defined by a commitment to collaboration, creativity, and precision, resulting in interiors that are thoughtful, engaging, and enduring.
“Great interiors don’t just look good – they tell a story.
Don’t be afraid to submit a space that challenges norms, evokes emotion, or reflects bold individuality, not just a trend” – Ingrid Kelly
|
