Australian Good Design Award of the Year – Hullbot
As the curtain closes on the 68th annual Good Design Awards on Friday night, Australia’s most prestigious recognition for design and innovation sends a clear message: design is not just about aesthetics, it’s a core business strategy driving productivity, competitiveness, and sustainable growth.
The ceremony, held at the International Convention Centre Sydney, welcomed more than 1,000 guests and industry leaders, including Minnie Moll, CEO of the UK Design Council, and the Governor-General of Australia, the newly appointed Patron of the Good Design Australia.. Throughout Good Design Week, 500 winning projects were recognised across 13 disciplines, spanning architecture, product, service, engineering, fashion and social impact design, with tiered accolades building to the announcement of the Best in Class and top Sustainability Awards on Friday night.
Two projects stood out as proof that innovation in design can meaningfully reduce environmental impact while driving a more sustainable future:
One of two winners of the Australian Good Design Award of the Year was Hullbot – an innovative robotic device that cleans boat hulls using remote-controlled suction technology, reducing the need for harsh chemicals and expensive dry-docking. Designed by a former UNSW student award recipient, Hullbot improves fuel efficiency, reduces environmental impact, and has the potential to scale to large commercial vessels, including container ships, creating substantial economic and sustainability benefits.
The Good Design Award for Sustainability honoured the First Building – Bradfield City Centre, designed to showcase advanced manufacturing readiness facilities and sustainable design practices. Developed by Hassell and collaborators, the project sets a benchmark for environmentally conscious urban infrastructure.
Rachel Wye, Managing Director of Good Design Australia, said the Awards highlight how design capability is an underutilised driver of economic growth and innovation.
“When businesses use design strategically, it drives productivity, competitiveness, and customer loyalty,” Wye said. “Good design helps create better products and services, improve processes, and deliver better customer experiences. Embed it early, and organisations operate more efficiently and sustainably, with around 80% of a project’s environmental impact determined at the design stage.”
Wye emphasised that design should be a core business capability, not an afterthought. “At its best, design solves complex problems, unlocks innovation, and creates measurable value for the economy, society, and the environment,” she said. “Design-related businesses contribute $67.5 billion annually to the Australian economy. By elevating design capability across business, industry, and government, Australia could become a global leader in design-led innovation and sustainable growth.”
About Good Design Australia
Good Design Australia is an international design promotion organisation committed to promoting the value of design to business, industry, government, and the public. Established in 1958, it manages Australia’s longest-running and most prestigious international design awards, the Australian Good Design Awards – celebrating the very best in design, innovation, and creativity.
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