Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture Victorian Awards entries

The great cities of the world are stepping up to meet the challenge of climate change, and landscape architecture is well placed to be the driving force behind this transformation. In this year’s Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture (AILA) Victorian Awards program, submissions demonstrate how Melbourne and regional Victoria can be greener, more sustainable, inclusive and vibrant.

“This year the Victorian Chapter of AILA has again received a record number of submissions to the annual AILA Victorian awards. It’s very exciting to see the breadth of work occurring across Victoria by landscape architects who are leading the way in ensuring the liveability of this state through great public realm design,” says Adrian Gray, President, Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.

With 56 entrants across 13 categories – up from 43 entrants across 13 categories in 2018 – submissions prioritise public open space, stronger communities and greater environmental stewardship.

According to Jury Chair, Mary Papaioannou: “Landscape architects are busier than ever and our contribution is in the creation of places that people go to for their health and education, to conduct their daily business, and to enjoy the restorative aspects of landscape or the many forms of play. Based on the projects entered, Landscape Architects have also made contributions within community groups that would otherwise not have had access to design services, and have contributed to our collective knowledge bank through research. Landscape architects are also heavily involved in rail infrastructure projects in Victoria. We have created ‘better parks’ as well as ‘better streets’.”

All award submissions were revealed at the Awards Submission Reveal Night (Wednesday 15 May) at Brickworks Design Studio, Melbourne. Award winners will be announced at the Awards Presentation on Friday 14 June at MAIA, Docklands.

Themes within the award submissions include:

• Turning rooftops into gardens at Parliament House. By TCL. Project: Parliament of Victoria Annex’s Landscapes (Cultural Heritage category)
• New ways of living together. By Openwork. Project: Nightingale Village (Urban Design category)
• Prioritising people and public transport over cars. By ASPECT Studios. Project: Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal (Infrastructure category)
• Giving voice to Indigenous knowledge systems in education. By Deakin University. Project: Recasting Terra Nullius Blindness (Research Policy and Communications category)
• Restoring degraded creeks into thriving, enduring landscapes. By McGregor Coxall. Project: Moonee Ponds Creek Strategic Opportunities Plan (Landscape Planning category)
• Prioritising nature for wellbeing. By Spiire. Project: Goulburn Valley Palliative Care (Community Contribution category)
• Transforming 27km of the Federation Trail into lineal parkland. By Melbourne Water, Wyndham City Council, VicRoads and City West Water. Project: Greening the Pipeline (Land Management category)

Winners will be revealed on Friday 14 June at MAIA, Docklands.

aila.org.au