The 2013 AILA Victoria Awards, announced in November 2013 at CQ, Melbourne. On the jury were Liesl Malan, chair (Liesl Malan Landscape Architects); Geoffrey London (Victorian Government Architect); Pru Smith (City of Boroondara); Philip Coxall (McGregor Coxall); Lorrae Wild (VicRoads); and Mark Gillingham (glas Landscape Architects & Urban Design).
Medal for Landscape Architecture
Making Landscape Architecture in Australia – Andrew Saniga
Making Landscape Architecture in Australia by Andrew Saniga.
Jury citation: This book on the history of landscape architecture in Australia is a remarkable act of recovery. It unravels the often rich and complex story as a continuous, sequential and complete account. It includes the significant movements, people and events that contributed to the development of landscape architecture as an art and discipline, in the context of competing professions and professional distinctions.
All peoples and professions need to understand their history so that they may move forward. This thoroughly researched and engaging book is a benchmark body of work that all landscape architects would benefit from reading. Its very existence and approach represent the fact that landscape architecture in Australia as a profession has reached maturity.
Dr Saniga deserves our highest recognition for this impressive and invaluable contribution to the academic and professional discourse on landscape architecture which will surely make an impact at both a national and international level. We congratulate him on his achievement.
Design in Landscape Architecture – Award for Excellence
The Australian Garden Completion – T.C.L. (Taylor Cullity Lethlean and Paul Thompson)
The Australian Garden Completion by T.C.L. (Taylor Cullity Lethlean and Paul Thompson). Image:
John Gollings
Jury citation: Stage One of the Australian Garden Project in the Cranbourne Botanic Gardens had a deep impact on Botanic Gardens around the world and on our profession in Australia. The challenge of following on from this dramatic start set the bar high for Stage Two. Taylor Cullity Lethlean and Paul Thompson are to be congratulated on the success of the Australian Garden Completion. As landscape architects, we will undoubtedly draw inspiration from this garden for many years to come.
Awards
Box Hill Gardens Multi Use Purpose Area – Aspect Studios
Box Hill Gardens Multi Use Purpose Area by Aspect Studios. Image:
Andrew Lloyd
Jury citation: This is a transformative project has a bold and contemporary aesthetic, and is successful in the way it integrates the history and memories of the site. This project is acknowledged as a potential model for the conversion of a disused facility into a flexible space that better meets changing community needs. The large flat expanse left by the former tennis courts have been enliven by dynamic graphic elements that are playful, striking and engaging. The reinterpretation of the history of the site has been sensitively interwoven into the space by the recycling of building materials and the salvaging of playful remnants of the former tennis club. The jury acknowledges the Box Hill Gardens Multi Purpose Area for demonstrating a shift in how parks may be used.
Pod Playground – T.C.L. (Taylor Cullity Lethlean)
Pod Playground by T.C.L. (Taylor Cullity Lethlean). Image:
Brett Boardman
Jury citation: The sheer joy of design is evident in this play space. The result suggests a wonderfully collaborative relationship between the designers, the fabricators and the contractors. It suggests they had as much fun designing and building the space as the children now have using it. The outcome is beautifully designed and executed, balances safety requirements and offers a diverse range of play experiences for all abilities. A fitting playground for the National Arboreteum.
Rezza – Leamington Street Recycled Skate Park Upgrade – City of Darebin
Rezza – Leamington Street Recycled Skate Park Upgrade by City of Darebin. Image:
Nadia Combe
Jury citation: This small project by Darebin Council landscape architects provides an inspiring example of how an engaging consultation process can defy budgetary constraints to transform left-over space into a catalyst for social inclusion. The project demonstrates an energetic collaboration between Darebin Council Landscape Architects, Youth workers with specialist advice from Playce Consultants to propose an urban style street skatepark. Council Landscape Architects sourced recycled urbanobjects from the street and from donations by VicRoads, Yarra trams, Bundoora park and Resevoir Council depot. The consultation process engaged youth groups and residents intensively throughout the process, with the local BMX-ers and skateboarders helping design the placement of the urban objects on site. The result is a well-loved urban skate park that provides a place to reach out and support local teenagers.
Urban Design in Landscape Architecture – Award
Halpin Way, Settlers Square and Pop-up Park – Aspect Studios
Halpin Way, Settlers Square and Pop-up Park by Aspect Studios. Image:
Andrew Lloyd
Jury citation: Halpin Way, Settlers Square and the associated Pop Up Park form an extended civic link over three full city blocks to the revitalised town centre of Dandenong. Halpin Way is a new fully shared and kerbless street with consistent pavement for pedestrians, bicycles and cars. The street has been considered as a stretched urban room, with its width opened up and then tightened to offer a range of spatial experiences.
The project’s delivery is designed to take place over a number of years with the associated challenge of designing the street and the square to work in their own right without the immediate benefit of buildings with known uses along a number of their edges. The Pop Up Park is planned to be replaced eventually with buildings.
Settlers Square provides an important link between the railway station and Halpin Way while astutely resolving some complex level changes. Overall, the project makes a substantial contribution to Dandenong, providing a well-detailed, high quality civic environment.
Planning in Landscape Architecture – Award
South West Victoria Landscape Assessment Study – Planisphere
South West Victoria Landscape Assessment Study by Planisphere.
Jury citation: This landscape assessment study covers a large portion of the state of Victoria. It identifies when landscapes are significant and creates a vision to conserve and enhance them.
The power in good planning is to positively guide and sculpt the future of our interaction with the environment around us. This report demonstrates the importance of balancing the needs and values of people with a sound understanding of landscape character.
The scope and influence of this report will provide a valuable tool for the many regional councils within the study. It also raises awareness at community, national, state and local level and the jury acknowledge the contribution this assessment makes to the field of landscape planning in Australia.
Land Management in Landscape Architecture – Award
Wanginu Park – GbLA
Wanginu Park by GbLA. Image:
Courtesy GbLA
Jury citation: GbLA Landscape Architecture has delivered a beautifully executed restoration andmanagement project for Places Victoria and the new community at Jacksons Hill Sunbury. This 13 hectare, heavily degraded site has been transformed using best practice landscape management into a thriving restored natural landscape. The project demonstrates a commitment to the long term processes required re-establish a landscape that can promote natural recruitment and become low maintenance. Through sensitive interventions GbLA have revealed the natural beauty of the site and re-connected with the heritage and cultural context of the site toprovide an engaging place for the local community and fauna.
Research and Communication in Landscape Architecture – Award
Hassell Temporary Projects and Public Interventions – Hassell
Temporary Projects and Public Interventions by Hassell. Image:
Bonnie Savage
Jury citation: The Urban Coffee Farm and Brew Bar, Chasing Kitsune and Walk the Line represent three projects that Hassell have undertaken in both Melbourne and Sydney. They explore how landscape architecture can interact with urban spaces through the introduction of innovative and quirky pop-up designs.
Each is a low-cost, pro bono or self-commissioned project that challenges the public to view spaces differently. Hassell also use these projects in-house to educate and encourage their developing designers to explore and drive these fast-moving projects from inception to delivery. They are fun projects that bring the work of the profession to a wider audience in a vital and engaging way.
The jury commends Hassell for their fresh initiative in exploring research and communication within the professional practice and making the fruits of their labour available for the enjoyment of the public and the betterment of the city
State President’s Award for Landscape Architecture
Strathewen Community Bushfire Memorial – Urban Initiatives
Strathewen Community Bushfire Memorial by Urban Initiatives. Image:
Courtesy Urban Initiatives
Jury citation: This is a remarkable project. The work of Urban Initiatives and Arterial Design is an extraordinary gift to the community of Strathewen, to those who have been lost and to those who remain and face the challenge of rebuilding their lives. Tragically, the town of Strathewen with a population of only 250, lost 29 people in the Black Saturday Bushfires. The courage of both the designers and the community members in beginning the journey of healing and then holding fast to the create their memorial together is both inspiring and humbling. The Jury acknowledge the countless hours, dedication and commitment this project asked of the designers. The contribution you have made to a community who have lost so much inspires us all.
