Design House Australia is a forthcoming showhouse and design event co-founded by respected interior designers Justin Bishop and Lucinda Kimpton, who together bring over 30 years of experience to the project. Building on their previous involvement in Como by Design (National Trust), Avenue of Design (Decor and Design) and The Art of Dining (NGV), they are now expanding that legacy into a nationally significant platform celebrating Australian design, heritage, and craftsmanship.

Envisioned as a landmark exhibition, Design House Australia will unite the country’s leading interior designers, architects, and brands within the setting of an iconic heritage property or hospitality venue. Each designer will re-imagine a room within the property, creating a cohesive yet diverse interior narrative that honours the building’s history while showcasing Australia’s finest contemporary design.

Unlike most temporary showhouses, Design House Australia is conceived with a lasting legacy — in select venues, the completed interiors will remain in place after the event, allowing the host venue (for example, a grand hotel or historic estate) to continue using the newly designed spaces long after the doors close.

Furthermore, this inaugural edition marks the beginning of a continuing Melbourne series — with future Design House Australia showhouses planned for other heritage venues across the city, each celebrating the region’s craftsmanship, design talent, and architectural legacy.

At its core, the concept aims to:

• Celebrate Australian talent and craftsmanship

• Promote the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings

• Create an immersive, experiential showcase for the public and media

• Strengthen connections between design, art, and hospitality