Jury citation
White Gum Valley aims to realize a diverse, highly sustainable infill development that reflects and enhances its suburban surrounds. The highly collaborative process embraced multiple entities and disciplines and has initiated a new nationally significant model for higher density infill development. The project incorporates and celebrates sustainability across ten ‘one planet living’ principles, and ties this to the creation of a thriving, resilient and diverse community. WGV at White Gum Valley is a project of genuine innovation and leadership.
About the entry
As an “Innovation through Demonstration” project, WGV demonstrates the economic and social benefits of sustainable development and creates a blueprint for the planning and development of small infill sites within an established suburb. The success of WGV is testament to the collaborative and forward-thinking approach of its multi-disciplinary design team.
In 2008, a two-hectare site approximately three kilometres from the centre of Fremantle became available to be developed into housing. Landcorp identified the unique qualities of the location and the opportunity for an innovative approach to urban and built form.
The project has ambitiously applied a multi-faceted approach to sustainability, with affordable housing typologies and various environmental initiatives woven into the design. A relationship was entered into with Curtin University’s Sustainability Policy (CUSP) that has seen the entire development set up as a ‘living laboratory’ to monitor energy use, resident behaviour, take up of energy initiatives and the implementation of the Design Guidelines.
Location: Perth, WA
The Australian Urban Design Awards is convened by the Planning Institute of Australia and organized by Architecture Media.
The awards program is supported by nine peak bodies from across the built environment – the Planning Institute of Australia, the Australian Institute of Architects, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, Green Building Council of Australia, Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, Consult Australia, Engineers Australia, Urban Design Forum and Government Architects Network Australia.
In 2016 the principal partner is Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia with supporting partners Holcim, iGuzzini, PTA Landscapes, Queensland Government and Concrete Masonry Association of Australia.
