The Australian Interior Design Awards have recognized two remarkable establishments from Brisbane, highlighting them as exemplars of modern interior aesthetics in 2025. Competing for top honors is The Bathhouse, situated in Brisbane’s northside, known for offering one of the most opulent wellness experiences globally, drawing on international communal bathing cultures such as Turkish hammams and Japanese onsens. Designed by the renowned Hogg & Lamb duo, Michael Hogg and Greg Lamb, The Bathhouse boasts silver travertine surfaces, low lighting, glowing pools, and a central fireplace that together create a cave-like ambiance. This design approach evokes the feeling of timelessness, akin to the mysterious transition out of a cinema into the night. Another contender in this prestigious award ceremony is Rays Wellness, a cannabis dispensary situated in Fortitude Valley. As the medicinal cannabis market reached $400 million in early 2025, Rays Wellness stands out due to its aesthetic divergence from traditional pharmacies. Designed by Callum Lui of Clui Design, the space embodies a minimalist and modern retail environment.
Innovative Designs Transform Wellness Experiences
The Bathhouse’s groundbreaking approach to wellness design represents a trend where architectural brilliance marries cultural elegance. The silver travertine surfaces and low lighting provide patrons with an immersive experience, crafted to evoke serenity and relaxation, reminiscent of ancient bathing rituals. The central fireplace functions as the venue’s focal point, casting a warm, inviting glow that in part defines the luxurious ambiance. The design cleverly balances modern ingenuity with cultural richness, offering a sanctuary that mirrors the enchanting, timeless allure of ancient communal baths. The stonework and steam rituals serve as a pivotal attraction, drawing patrons into a tranquil retreat within the sweeping, urban landscape of Brisbane. The Bathhouse’s approach, grounded in the philosophy of combining luxury with function, accentuates the movement towards creating spaces that transcend the ordinary, guiding the city’s move towards redefining urban leisure experiences.
While The Bathhouse evokes cultural admiration in relaxation, Rays Wellness dives into the fast-emerging realm of alternative medicine with strikingly contemporary aesthetics. Breaking conventional norms, Rays Wellness delivers a minimalist ambiance, highlighted by a modern retail environment and a thoughtful aesthetic departure from traditional pharmacy settings. Designed intelligently to appeal to a broader customer base interested in alternative remedies, the venue features high ceilings and a mezzanine floor, each aspect thoughtfully curated to redefine the perception of what a wellness dispensary can offer. The in-built corner lounge, coupled with indoor landscaping, provides a holistic and inviting atmosphere, promoting an environment where relaxation and well-being are prioritized. The earthy palette further enhances the space’s appeal, ensuring a comfortable experience devoid of clinical sterility. Together with Callum Lui’s architectural vision, Rays Wellness sets a benchmark in modern design, linking innovation with functionality, thereby strengthening the interior design narrative within Brisbane’s rapidly growing cannabis industry.
Interior Design Trends and Global Influences
As Brisbane increasingly serves as a hub for innovative interior design, the overall trend mirrors a shift towards designs that distinctly depart from conventional spaces to embrace unique, serene environments. Steering away from generic architectural features, designers like Hogg & Lamb and Callum Lui are spearheading projects that prioritize customer wellness and experience, drawing significant inspiration from global cultures. The combination of functional luxury along with holistic influences speaks to a growing demand for integrated spaces where visitors can relax and unwind. This emerging preference emphasizes the importance of creating destinations that offer a sense of retreat in the heart of bustling city life.
The notable designs showcased at The Bathhouse and Rays Wellness reflect a fundamental understanding of spatial ambiance and its impact on consumer perceptions. Through captivating interior decor strategies, these venues extend beyond merely being physical spaces, evolving into immersive experiences for patrons. Coupled with sustainable design principles, this wave of innovation paves the way for future projects set to enhance Brisbane’s identity as a leader in interior design. The convergence of architectural excellence with cultural resonance suggests a promising future for Queensland’s interior design industry, one poised to redefine luxury and experiential design standards in today’s urban landscape, bringing global influences into focus.
Unveiling a Future of Ingenious Interior Concepts
The 2025 Australian Interior Design Awards have honored two outstanding venues from Brisbane, showcasing them as paragons of contemporary interior design. One notable contender is The Bathhouse, located on Brisbane’s northside, renowned for offering a luxurious wellness experience that draws inspiration from global communal bathing traditions, including Turkish hammams and Japanese onsens. Celebrated design duo Michael Hogg and Greg Lamb of Hogg & Lamb crafted The Bathhouse with silver travertine surfaces, subdued lighting, luminous pools, and a central fireplace, achieving a cave-like atmosphere. This design evokes a timeless quality reminiscent of the ethereal transition from cinema into the night. Also competing is Rays Wellness, a cannabis dispensary in Fortitude Valley, which emerged as the medicinal cannabis market hit $400 million earlier in the year. Rays Wellness differentiates itself with an aesthetic that deviates from conventional pharmacies. Under the design of Callum Lui from Clui Design, it presents a minimalist, modern retail space.
