ACT’s Winning Landscapes Revealed—Landscapes With Social Impact Triumph

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) has revealed the winners of the 2024 ACT State Awards. The jury honoured 11 winners across nine categories.

AILA ACT Jury Chair Gay Williamson says this year’s winners showcase the vibrancy, diversity and respect for Country present in the capital’s landscape architecture profession.

“The quality of landscape architecture in our nation’s capital is to be commended. The winning projects showcase climate-positive design, gender equity and a connection to Country,” Gay says.

“What stood out for the jury was the genuine, extensive effort to incorporate First Nation’s people and their knowledge of Country in the design and management of the local landscape.

“This benefits the whole community and ecology and creates a sense of place.”

Landscapes with social impact triumph

The National Site of Recognition for Thalidomide Survivors and their Families by PLACE Laboratory won the top Award of Excellence in the Small Projects category.

The National Site of Recognition was established by the Australian Government to acknowledge the Thalidomide tragedy and as a lasting reminder to all Australians that the lessons of the tragedy must never be forgotten. Thalidomide, a medication introduced in Australia in the 1960s, tragically left a lasting impact on babies, causing severe birth defects and developmental issues when taken by pregnant women, highlighting the devastating consequences of insufficient drug testing and regulation. The glass brick memorial, on Lake Burley Griffin, creates a space for empathy, emotional reflection and education.

The jury said “This memorial is quite simply exquisite. [It is] a sublime response to the pain and suffering of those affected by Thalidomide. Every aspect of the design of this memorial has been carefully curated to reflect and impart the story of those people who are Thalidomide survivors, who have been affected and who continue to be affected by the drug. The Awards Jury applauds the design team for the care, thought, sensitivity and for the excellence of this small project.”

Meanwhile, FREE-RANGE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS’ University of Canberra HUB Courtyard was celebrated with an Award of Excellence in the Health and Education Landscape category.

The project is a real-world collaboration between the university’s campus estate and its landscape architecture program. Beginning as an assessment task, the HUB Courtyard was designed around the client’s prescription for seating and shade. The outcome has transformed a stark and banal paved space into a vibrant green courtyard, enjoyed by staff and students alike.

The jury said “This well-orchestrated student, teacher and contractor collaboration has made a worthy contribution to the University’s campus. Indeed, this Awards Jury commends the University of Canberra for sponsoring the process and the project – it is an exemplar. The courtyard resonates with delight from its bold design, detailing and more importantly, with the people who can enjoy this elegant, comfortable place to meet, talk and take time out from academic endeavours.”

All winners at the State Awards level proceed to the National Landscape Architecture Awards held later this year.

AILA is the peak body for Landscape Architecture in Australia, championing quality design for public open spaces, stronger communities, and greater environmental stewardship.

For more information, visit: www.aila.org.au