NEW LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE BENCHMARKS
06 May 2015
Queensland is setting new landscape architecture benchmarks with awards entrants’ showcasing a growing maturity in what has been described as ‘the best of the best’ in the industry.
The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Queensland Awards night is fast approaching, with judging in full swing to ‘unearth’ the ‘best of the best’ in landscape architecture.
Award entrants, and soon-to-be announced winners on May 29, will showcase the everyday work of the profession, from working on city-wide green infrastructure solutions, transforming heritage significant sites into public parklands, to the design of healing gardens that stimulate sight, sound, touch and smell.
AILA Queensland State President David Hatherly said preliminary judging insights on this year’s 39 award entrants have highlighted that Queensland is setting new benchmarks.
“This year, more than ever, entrants are demonstrating the growing maturity of our profession with exceptional examples of planning principles, cutting-edge research, and innovative design approaches being applied to our community assets including outdoor public areas, landmarks and structures,” Mr Hatherly said.
“Overriding themes that have stood out about this year’s awards entrants are bold, strategic and imaginative.”
Mr Hatherly said the work of landscape architects cannot be understated.
“Our profession plays a significant role in making our cities, towns and regions across our state both livable and beautiful places to live, work and play,” he said.
AILA QLD Awards Judging Chair Mark Fuller said he believed that 2015 would be the year that the profession is deservedly put into the spotlight.
“The scale and diversity of our work in landscape architecture is huge and continues to grow,” Mr Fuller said.
“Award entrants this year clearly demonstrate how our profession is leading the way in dealing with pressing issues facing Queensland – and Australia at large – including climate change, urbanisation and unprecedented population growth.
“A great example of this is Brisbane City Council which has developed a new planning code to support the production of food including fish, crustaceans, honey, nuts, fruit and vegetables, in the city. The aim is to guide the development industry towards the delivery of intensive food production systems – specifically food production on rooftops just like in Singapore and New York.”
The Brisbane City Council’s City Plan 2014 has incorporated the town planning ordinance – understood to be a national and international first, to drive innovation, resilience and entrepreneurialism in Brisbane while balancing environmental factors such as visual amenity, water efficiency and pollution.
Other award entries include the Gold Coast’s Rapid Transit Corridor Study (Light Rail), Beenleigh’s proposed new town square, Townville’s Jezzine Barracks, Queensland Health’s new Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, Brisbane’s Southbank and Gladstone’s Coal Exporters Maritime Precinct East Shores.
The AILA QLD Awards recognise outstanding achievements by landscape architects that promote excellence in landscape planning, design and research. The awards are also an important initiative aimed at bringing the work of local landscape architects to public attention by making the community aware of the positive impact the profession has on Queensland lives through the built and natural environments.
Entries are being judged across the five categories:
- Design in Landscape Architecture
- Planning in Landscape Architecture
- Land Management in Landscape Architecture
- Research and Communication in Landscape Architecture
- Urban Design in Landscape Architecture.
The QLD Medal for Landscape Architecture – the state’s most prestigious award – will be presented to one project through any of the five award categories. Alongside this award, the QLD Award for Residential Designed Landscapes will be awarded to the most outstanding residential project through any of the five categories.
Winners will be announced at Victoria Park, Herston, Brisbane on Friday May 29, 2015.
To purchase tickets for the AILA QLD Awards Dinner, visit the AILA QLD Events Page or contact Katie Roberson on 0417 666 622 or email katie.roberson@aila.org.au
About AILAThe Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) is the peak national organisation representing and harnessing the collective interests of the Australian Landscape Architecture professions, and oversees the professional recognition of Registered Landscape Architects.
Images (top to bottom): Westfield Garden City Town Square revitalisation project (AECOM) - the center piece of the new Westfield Garden City Town Square is a tranquil and calming water feature set amongst the luscious gardens which creates interest and ambience though the movement of water (Photo credit: Ian Don); Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital (Conrad Garrett) - Secret Garden (Photo credit: Christopher Frederick Jones); and Gladstone East Shores precinct (Urbis) – Aerial view (Photo credit: Augus Martin).
