AUSTRALIA'S BEST LANDSCAPES AWARDED

AILA’s National Jury presented 36 awards to projects spanning 17 categories. AILA National Jury Chair Kate Luckraft praised the winning designers for forging vital new collaborations between landscape architects, communities and academics. She also lauded the profession’s commitment to climate-positive design.

In summarising the impact of this year’s winning work, Kate had this to share: “Across the board, projects enriched by First Nations collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking exemplify how landscape architects are shaping resilient, climate-conscious places that reflect a deeper understanding of Country and community.”

NSW RESEARCH & RESILIENCE PROJECT TAKES TWO GONGS

The Living Lab Northern Rivers (LLNR) project won an Award of Excellence (the highest honour for Community Contribution) and also took home a Regional Achievement Award. Designed by University of Technology Sydney and Living Lab Northern Rivers, LLNR aims to create sustainable and resilient opportunities for the region via a permanent shopfront and the creation of reports, exhibitions, design studios and workshops.

Established on Bundjalung Country after the 2022 floods, LLNR brings together communities, First Nations knowledge holders, Government, business and universities. The Jury described the award-winner as a “groundbreaking hybrid model of research, co-design and practice” that offers a “powerful model for climate adaptation and community-led change”.

Living Lab Northern Rivers (LLNR)
Univeristy of Technology Sydnet and Living Lab Northern Rivers

SEAWALL SAVIOUR: WINNING DESIGN ALIGNS NATURE, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

Another of the evening’s dual award winners was the Wagonga Inlet Living Foreshore by REALMstudios. This NSW project was the recipient of both the Climate-Positive Design Award of Excellence and the Land Management Award of Excellence.

An initiative of the Eurobodalla Shire Council, in Narooma, the project integrates multiple restoration strategies — including living shorelines, bank stabilisation, saltmarsh rehabilitation and oyster reef restoration — creating an adaptive, resilient coastal ecosystem, in readiness for changing coastal conditions.

The Jury described the project as an outstanding example of coastal protection in harmony with nature, culture and community. “The design is to be commended for leading the replacement of a failing seawall with innovative nature-based solutions that restored over 3,000 square metres of saltmarsh, brought back rare oyster reefs, and created vital habitats for marine and birdlife.” The highly collaborative effort involved Traditional Custodians, scientists, agencies and volunteers, empowering Indigenous rangers and fostering strong partnerships.

VICTORIAN GARDENS DOMINATE WINNER'S PODIUM

Two Victorian designs were declared the nation’s best gardens. Green Our Roof, by Hassell Studio, and Hedge House by Emergent Studios (Bush Projects) each received a Landscape Architecture Award.

OLYMPIC INITIATIVE HONOURED WITH PRESIDENT'S AWARD

Green Pathways, Gold Places is an advocacy campaign that provides an actionable framework to ensure the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games deliver a legacy of connected, inclusive, and high-quality public realm outcomes for communities across Queensland.

An initiative of AILA, the Australian Institute of Architects, the Planning Institute of Australia, and the Design Institute of Australia, Green Pathways, Gold Places was applauded as a worthy winner of the 2025 AILA President’s Award.

The campaign calls for the creation of a 2032 Design Coordination Unit within the Office of the Queensland Government Architect; an integrated green grid; an Olympic forest; and precinct-based design approaches. The Jury described Green Pathways, Gold Places as “uniting industry and Government in a shared vision”.

Maidens Reserve
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS

Cultural Heritage Award of Excellence and Landscape Architecture Award | The Oval at Subi East
UDLA + OCULUS

Climate Positive Design Award of Excellence and Land Management Award of Excellence | Wagonga Inlet Living Foreshore
REALMstudios

Community Contribution Award of Exellence and Regional Achievement Award | Living Lab Northern Rivers (LLNR)
Univeristy of Technology Sydnet and Living Lab Northern Rivers

Parks and Open Spaces Award of Excellence and Regional Achievement Award | Maidens Reserve
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

Health & Education Award of Excellence | Moodani Balluk
Arcadia

Infrastructure Award of Excellence | Barangaroo Station Park
Arcadia

Research, Policy & Communications Award of Excellence | Food: Landscapes Australia
Dr Joshua Zeunert, UNSW

Small Projects Award of Excellence | Yaluk Langa
Openwork

AILA President's Award | Green Pathways, Gold Places
Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, the Australian Institute of Architects, the Planning Institute of Australia and the Design Institute of Australia

Landscape Architecture Award | Bridge Mall Redevelopment
Hassell Studio

Landscape Architecture Award | Prahran Skatepark and Basketball Court
Convic

The Oval at Subi East
UDLA + OCULUS

Landscape Architecture Award | Tiny Patches
GLAS Landscape Architects

Landscape Architecture Award | 24 Carrot Gardens
Inspiring Place Pty Ltd

Landscape Architecture Award | Green Our Roof
Hassell Studio

Landscape Architecture Award | Hedge House
Emergent Studios (Bush Projects)

Landscape Architecture Award | Richmond High School
SBLA Studio

Landscape Architecture Award | Mt Derrimut Road, Deer Park Station
Hassell Studio

Landscape Architecture Award | Karunjie Homestead Visioning Plan
Wiliggan Aboriginal Corporation, MudMap Studio and Conservation Management

Landscape Architecture Award | Archerfields Wetlands Land Management
Brisbane Sustainability Agency

Landscape Architecture Award | Washpool Creek Catchment Master Plan
Tract

Landscape Architecture Award | Adventurous Spaces Guideline
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

Landscape Architecture Award | Wimbo Park Surry Hills
Sue Barnsley Design

Landscape Architecture Award | Central Park All-abilities Playground
SBLA Studio with City of Stonnington

Wagonga Inlet Living Foreshore
REALMstudios

Landscape Architecture Award | Transforming to an Age-friendly World
University of South Australia, City of Unley, Office for Ageing Well and Tract Consultants

Landscape Architecture Award | Nature Co-benefits in Practice
Tract

Landscape Architecture Award | Nightingale Bowden
Landskap and Openwork

Landscape Architecture Award | Red Note Courtyard, Queensland Conservatorium
TCL Taylor Cullity Lethlean

Landscape Architecture Award | Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Feasibility Study
Fitzgerald Frisby Landscape Architecture

Landscape Architecture Award | Parramatta Square
JMD design with TCL, Gehl and TZG

Regional Achievement Award | Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence
Emergent Studios (Bush Projects)

Climate Positive Design Award | Michelle Guglielmo Park
GLAS Landscape Architects

Climate Positive Design Award | Breakout Creek/Purrana Pari Stage 3
TCL with Green Adelaide, City of Charles Sturt and City of West Toreens

Landscape architecture brings nature into the heart of daily life, shaping parks, precincts, wetlands, and public spaces that invite us to gather, connect, and belong. Well-designed landscapes strengthen local economies by attracting visitors and creating jobs, but their deeper value lies in cooling our cities, restoring ecosystems, and caring for Country.

The 2025 AILA National Awards celebrate the projects and practitioners reimagining how we live with landscape and each other.