WA’s Top Landscapes Honoured – Regional Projects Shine

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) has announced the winners of the 2023 WA State Awards. The jury honoured 21 winners for their high calibre of community contribution and design.

Jury Chair Terry Thompson says the celebrated projects highlighted a respect for cultural heritage, and showcased the many benefits of engaging landscape architects on projects big and small.

“This includes a ‘learning through landscape’ approach, where landscape architects have designed places that are fun, entertaining, restful, have environmental and education values and quite simply, help people be engaged and happy.”

“Collaboration between landscape architects and, most importantly, communities, is clearly leading to comprehensively better outcomes for the public than if projects are developed in isolation.”

Regions win top gongs

There was strong representation from regional projects, with 11 of the total 39 entries located within regional Western Australia.

The Guwarri and Jiljirrgun (Broome Town Beach) project, designed by MudMap Studio, was celebrated with several awards. The project took out the top AILA WA Medal as well as the Award of Excellence in the Cultural Heritage category and a Regional Achievement Award. The Guwarri/Jiljirrgun is a significant cultural, historical and community space on Roebuck Bay, Rubibi (Broome). It’s always been a significant cultural and living place for Yawuru people and was the arrival and departure place for all people and goods coming into Broome, including thousands of indentured Aboriginal and Asian pearling workers. When the project started (2017), the site was degraded and primarily a dirt car park. The creative masterplanning, innovative art, interpretation, memorial, and community projects have brought life back to the space, allowing the historical and cultural significance of the site to be preserved and the old stories captured for future generations.

The jury says “the Broome Town Beach project clearly demonstrates the restoration, conservation and enhancement of a culturally significant site. Art and culture have been a vehicle to embed the local community in the project, such as initiatives to upskill youth and youth at risk. The community involvement, fostered through a deep level of respect and consultation, has greatly enriched the project. A truly impressive outcome.”

Hassell was honoured with an Award of Excellence in the Civic Landscape category and a Regional Achievement Award for its once-in-a-generation rejuvenation of the Margaret River Main Street. For years, the community of Augusta had identified a need to improve the quality of its townscape, desiring an increased focus on pedestrian experience, community activation, character, safety and sustainability. After 10 years of planning and design, the renewed Main Street was completed in 2011 and features a new town square, upgrades to lighting, furniture and stormwater, a dedicated cycling lane and increased tree canopy.

The jury says “the project enhances economic viability, social connection and environmental performance and delivers generous, multi-purpose public spaces that enhance the quality of life for locals and offer engaging experiences for visitors.”

The Koolambidi Woola – Bunbury Youth Precinct, designed by Playce, won an Award of Excellence in the Parks and Open Space category and a Regional Achievement Award. The contemporary public active recreation space acts as both a striking entry statement to the Bunbury CBD and a welcoming precinct that provides opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy bespoke play, parkour, skate, mini golf, bouldering and ball sports. Koolambidi Woola was named by Wardandi Noongar Elders and means ‘celebrating young people’. The jury says “the success of this project puts all youth front and centre and, as its name attests, is a celebration of young people. Gender equity and all abilities, so often missing from youth spaces, are extremely well considered, and provided for in ways to support youth with safe social spaces and places for refuge within the project area and adjacent community youth centre.”

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.

More information: aila.org.au