Restoration, redevelopment and renewal projects dominated the list of winners at the 2025 AILA WA Awards announced Friday last at a special ceremony held at the Royal Perth Yacht Club.

Representing Western Australia’s best landscape architecture projects, the ceremony hosted by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Western Australian Chapter celebrated 12 award-winning projects from a field of 20 entries across categories spanning civic and infrastructure projects through to play spaces, gardens, health, education landscapes and more.

Maidens Reserve

The night’s top honour, the WA Medal, was awarded to Maidens Reserve in Bunbury, south of Perth. A coastal nature reserve (featuring lookouts, hiking and walking trails, and picnic and play spaces), the project was designed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions in collaboration with the City of Bunbury and the City of Bunbury Co-Design Access Panel.

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Maidens Reserve, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions (DBCA) | Photography: DBCA

“Through subtle interventions and careful restoration, the project enhances both access and ecological integrity – allowing the landscape to heal while welcoming more people to experience it,” AILA WA Jury Chair Amanda Mannolini says. “Its sensitive design minimises impact while maximising engagement, weaving built form seamlessly into the natural setting. This is a landmark example of regional landscape architecture that offers a bold, memorable, and deeply inclusive experience for all.”

Maidens Reserve was also honoured with an Award of Excellence in the Parks and Open Space category, in addition to a Regional Achievement Award.

Oval at Subi East

Oval at Subi East, a redevelopment masterplan and one of the most significant urban infill projects in WA’s built environment history, designed by UDLA + OCULUS took home an Award of Excellence in the Cultural Heritage category as well as two Landscape Architecture Awards for the Parks and Open Space, and Civic Landscape categories.

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The Oval at Subi East, UDLA + OCULUS | Photography: Miles Noel

“This complex, high-profile project meets significant technical and community expectations with clarity and sensitivity. Leadership in Indigenous engagement is central to its success, shifting from consultation to co-decision-making with Traditional Owners,” the jury says.

Middleton Beach Foreshore Stage 1

A renewal project on one of Albany’s most cherished coastal destinations, Middleton Beach Foreshore Stage 1 won an Award of Excellence in the Civic Landscape category. The project, designed by the City of Albany and See Design, also received a Regional Achievement Award.

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Middleton Beach Foreshore Stage 1, City of Albany and See Design | Photography: David Deves

“The design leverages the site’s natural beauty and applies a restrained, elegant material palette to shape a series of multifunctional public spaces that improve beach access and amenity. A concealed sea wall has been seamlessly integrated into the landscape to address long-term coastal erosion, ensuring resilience and continued public use for generations to come,” the jury notes.

AILA WA 2025 Awards

All AILA WA Award winners will now proceed to the National Landscape Architecture Awards, to be announced later this year.

Winners

Category |Project Name | Winner | Award Type

Category: Civic Landscape

Middleton Beach Foreshore Stage 1 | City of Albany and See Design Studio | Award of Excellence

The Oval at Subi East | UDLA + OCULUS | Landscape Architecture Award

Category: Community Contribution

Brightwater Huntington’s Campus | PLAN E | Landscape Architecture Award

Category: Cultural Heritage

The Oval at Subi East | UDLA + OCULUS | Award of Excellence

Category: Gardens

Hope Street | ASPECT Studios with Officer Woods Architects & MDC Architects | Landscape Architecture Award

Category: Health and Education Landscape

Scotch College Junior School Playspace | Four Landscape Studio | Landscape Architecture Award

Category: Land Management

Karunjie Homestead Visioning Plan | Wiliggan Aboriginal Corporation, MudMap Studio & Conservation Management | Award of Excellence

Category: Landscape Planning

Hilton Park Masterplan | REALMstudios, Shape Urban and City of Fremantle | Landscape Architecture Award

Category: Parks and Open Space

Maidens Reserve | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions | Award of Excellence

The Oval at Subi East | UDLA + OCULUS | Landscape Architecture Award

Category: Research, Policy and Communications

Department of Communities Landscape Design Brief and Guide | REALMstudios and Grafted Studio | Landscape Architecture Award

Category: Small Projects

OneNinety | See Design Studio | Landscape Architecture Award

Category: Tourism

Monkey Mia | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions | Landscape Architecture Award

Category: Regional Achievement

Middleton Beach Foreshore | Stage 1 | City of Albany and See Design Studio | Regional Achievement Award

Karunjie Homestead Visioning Plan | Wiliggan Aboriginal Corporation, MudMap Studio & Conservation Management | Regional Achievement Award

Maidens Reserve | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions | Regional Achievement Award

Category: WA Medal

Maidens Reserve | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions | WA Medal

Main image: The Oval at Subi East | UDLA + OCULUS | Photographer: Miles Noel

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