Lauren Roberts awarded the 2025 Madeline Lester Award
The Design Institute of Australia is pleased to announce Lauren Roberts as the recipient of the 2025 Australian Graduate of the Year, Madeline Lester Award.
Named in honour of esteemed interior designer and 2006 Hall of Fame inductee Madeline Lester, the prize is awarded to the overall national winner of the DIA Graduates of the Year Awards (GOTYA). It recognises an early career designer of exceptional promise whose work, thinking and practice signal a meaningful contribution to the future of the profession.
A graduate of the Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture, Honours) at Swinburne University of Technology, Lauren brings both academic excellence and professionalism to her early career practice, having gained three years of industry experience alongside her studies.
The GOTYA jury commended Lauren for the maturity and strategic clarity evident in her work and prize entry. Addressing housing challenges through a sustainable and community-focused lens, her projects demonstrate a capacity to translate complex issues into thoughtful and meaningful spatial solutions.
The jury noted that Lauren represents the very best of emerging design talent in Australia, a designer whose work is grounded, intelligent and forward-looking.
Lauren was presented with the Madeline Lester Award during the Hall of Fame Celebration at the National Gallery of Victoria on the 26 March, marking a significant moment in recognising the next generation of design leadership.
The DIA warmly congratulates Lauren Roberts and Swinburne University of Technology on this outstanding achievement.
About GOTYA
Established in 2003, the GOTYA's is the DIA’s flagship award program for early career designers, recognising and championing the next generation of Australian design talent as they step into professional practice. Each year, tertiary institutions from around the country nominate their top graduates across four categories: Place, Use, Interact and Convey, reflecting the breadth and vitality of contemporary design disciplines.
Nominations for GOTYA 2026 open in mid April.
GOTYA 2026 is proudly supported by Stylecraft:
