Federico Monsalve: Where does your trophy live?

Meg Rowntree: It’s probably more interesting to tell you how it got to where it now lives! On the awards night, it was in and out of its case, it then lived in the case with the cash, followed by a stint on display on the reception desk at Jasmax, to its current spot on top of my bookshelf in the living room - among other treasured possessions! 

FM: What did you do with the $1,500 prize money?

MR: I treated myself to a gold MacBook.

FM: Once you became a finalist… how was it presenting to a live audience (nerve racking, informative, inspiring, none of the above?!)

MR: Presenting a project as a team is one thing, however presenting your whole body of work is a lot more intimidating. There is so much you want to get into your presentation, and a lot you want to communicate to the judges, so you’re nervous to begin with. Then you throw in the live-streaming, and you don’t know who’s watching – peers and colleagues – and that’s when it gets the most nerve-wracking!

FM: How was it hearing your name as the winner on the night?

MR: Awesome. I was up against some tough competition, so I really wasn’t sure whose name was going to be announced. The moment was quite surreal, and the way the award was presented adds to the compliment of winning – you receive your award and prize money in a heavy duty metal case, which kind of… makes you want to throw the cash in the air and celebrate with everyone!

FM: How was the reaction from friends and colleagues?

MR: The response was amazing. Celebrations all round; to begin with, friends and colleagues on the night, then the next day at work and then with family on the weekend! I was surprised at how far and quickly the news spread, I received a lot of well wishes from across the industry – including an email from a past consultant now in Switzerland, and a letter of congratulations from my university.

FM: What have been your career-highlights since the award?

MR: I’ve been pretty busy with existing projects at Jasmax; a couple of which have been completed since that time. The award and some of the publicity around it has meant that I’ve had a number of instances where existing and new clients have been in touch; both to congratulate me and to make new professional connections – which is a direct result of the recognition.

FM: Tell me about the entry process, did you find it easy?

MR:  I was bolstered by support from my colleagues, some of whom approached me to enter – and once I looked into the criteria, I decided to go for it. There was a bit of work collating all the content, images and accompanying text; including actually putting your design philosophy down in writing. With a process like this, I wouldn’t think too many people would find it easy to just ‘fill in the form’.

FM: Will you recommend people enter?

MR: Definitely, and I would encourage any senior team members or directors to think about who they’re working with, and support others to enter.

To be eligible for the Emerging Design Professional category, entrants must be aged 35 years of age or under, either employed in a design or architecture practice; or self-employed.

Entries can be submitted through the Interior Awards website until Wednesday 4 May 2016.