Queensland’s best landscape architect projects crowned at awards

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects’ (AILA) Queensland Landscape Architecture Awards 2016 have been announced, celebrating the very best of the state’s green spaces and recognising the leadership of the landscape architects consistently raising the standards for shaping and stewardship of the spaces we inhabit.

14 awards were given across 11 categories including civic landscape, parks and open space, infrastructure, conservation, tourism, urban design, communities and gardens, recognising the best projects in design, planning and delivery of parks, greenlinks and urban spaces across the state.

As climate change becomes increasingly challenging for the sunshine state, this year’s awards saw a shift towards climate-conscious design as a core value necessity, as landscape architects pave the way towards more resilient communities.

“The result of dynamic engagement and collaboration with clients, communities and cultures, and between the public and private sectors, this year’s submissions illustrate the critical role of landscape planning and design as catalysts for expressing community identity, sense of place, and for energising local economies,” comments the expert jury.

“Design for living with climate change, for living within our means, is also evidently no longer a special add-on to well-funded projects alone: it is now core business. The 2016 jury applauds this demonstrated strength of our profession, and urges landscape architects to intensify their advocacy for the design of more resilient landscapes, and to continue to give voice to communities and promote the work of landscape architects in creating innovative living places.”

Winning projects include the $100 million Brisbane Ferry Terminals Project that saw eight terminals (part of an 11 terminal project) upgraded by Brisbane City Council, the spectacular Yeppoon Water Play park, the Cairns Foreshore Development, the Gold Coast’s Chinatown development and many more.

“Queenslanders should be so proud of these projects as they exemplify the important of innovative, well-planned open spaces that allow for the outdoor lifestyle that we all enjoy – especially in our ever-expanding urban areas where planning has never been more vital.” Comments Katie Roberson, Queensland Chapter Manager, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.

The Queensland State Landscape Architect Awards 2016 took place at a cocktail event on Friday the 3rd June in Fortitude Valley in the presence of industry heavyweights and was live streamed across the country.

The projects awarded an Award of Excellence and a Landscape Architecture Award at state level proceed through to the national awards, to take place in the second half of the year where one project will be awarded the best landscape architect project in the country.

For details and a list of all the award winners, please visit the AILA website.