2019 QLD Landscape Architecture award winners revealed
The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) has announced the winners of the 2019 Queensland Landscape Architecture Awards.
AILA recognised 20 winners across 12 categories, including five Awards of Excellence and four Regional Achievement Awards, highlighting projects that celebrated environmental and historic landmark preservation, the restoration of neglected urban nodes and spaces that bring communities together.
AILA Queensland President David Uhlmann said this year’s awards demonstrated the forward thinking, innovative and diverse approaches of the landscape architects of our state.
“The winning projects highlight the positive impact that carefully planned and well executed landscape architecture can have on our community, wellbeing and the environment,” Mr Uhlmann said.
“This year we received 62 award submissions from an impressive range of cities and towns, which goes to show the number of high-calibre landscape architecture projects on our doorstep.”
Among the winners were five residential communities making use of protected space and adding value for residents, which was highlighted by two Awards of Excellence.
City of Gold Coast’s Arundel Wetlands and Form Landscape Architects’ Forest Green Park on the Gold Coast both received Awards of Excellence for the natural enhancement of local residential communities.
“The Arundel Wetlands project is an exemplary model for the collaboration of landscape architecture, local governance and private development, to create a natural wetland from what once was illegal landfill,” Mr Uhlmann said.
“Forest Green Park also demonstrates a case of seamlessly nature-based play, setting a new standard for suburban residential community parks.”
“In both instances, developers and consultants have worked together to create sensual, community focused spaces that embrace surrounding nature and wildlife.”
The urban revitalisation of city nodes was highly commended in Brisbane, led by Eden Lane in Woolloongabba by RPS Group, which took out an Award of Excellence for the lush renewal of what was previously an exit shaft for a tunnel boring machine.
“Eden Lane is uniquely Queensland, in the sense that it is not your typical grungy Melbourne laneway, but the strip displays simplicity and elegance of form whilst encouraging exploration and immersion,” Mr Uhlmann said.
Lat27 was presented with an Award of Excellence and highly commended for its transformation of the Oxley Creek corridor in Brisbane into a green, sustainable lifestyle and leisure destination.
“The landscape architects of the Oxley Creek Masterplan have demonstrated best practice strategies for restoration and conservation, unlocking the corridor’s potential and delivering a community and recreation asset of the highest quality and value,” Mr Uhlmann said.
James Cook University’s Verandah Walk in Townsville also received an Award of Excellence for providing a cultural heart of the campus that truly reflects its surroundings.
“The team at Wilson Architects have delivered a multipurpose initiative that enhances the brand of place, wayfinding, gathering opportunities, safety and immersion in the natural beauty of the campus,” Mr Uhlmann said.
Restoring and recognising cultural heritage was also an important element of the awards, with All Hallows School and 900 Ann Street and Holy Trinity Church in Brisbane taking out the top gongs.
Regional landscape architects stole the show in the tourism category, with Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Toowoomba, Yeppoon and Winton each taking out awards.
“Cities and towns thrive when the environment is welcoming and senses are ignited through innovative placemaking techniques,” Mr Uhlmann said.
“It’s very inspiring to see the calibre of work being delivered across Queensland by landscape architects who are leading the way in creating liveable spaces.”
AILA Queensland Award of Excellence and Landscape Architecture Award winners will gain automatic entry into National AILA Awards.
The National AILA awards will be held on 10 October 2019 in Melbourne, in conjunction with the annual International Festival of Landscape Architecture.
AILA Queensland is proudly sponsored by Eureka Landscapes, Evolve Environmental Solutions and Innovative Rigging.
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