A 145km walking and cycling path, a community park with a bold design, and a creatively designed precinct were among the notable winners at the 2016 ACT Landscape Architecture Awards held recently in Canberra.
Organised by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), the ACT Landscape Architecture Awards 2016 celebrated the very best of the Territory’s green, open and public spaces. The annual awards recognise the leadership and innovation in landscape architecture projects that enrich the local environments and enhance Canberra’s liveability, economic development and global profile.
Projects that promote quality of design in and around urban environments and positively impact the community by realising the health, social and economic benefits of green, open and public spaces in cities were honoured during the event. Ten awards were given across seven categories, including civic landscape, parks and open space, infrastructure, cultural heritage, urban design, research, policy and communication, and communities.
The Canberra Centenary Trail is a 145-kilometre walking and cycling path that captures the essence of Canberra’s relationship with the natural landscape and the city’s link to heritage through environmentally and ecologically responsible design. Designed by Harris Hobbs Landscapes & Fresh Landscape Design for the ACT Government, Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate, the project won the Cultural Heritage Award of Excellence.
Campbell Section 5 Park won the Parks and Open Space Award of Excellence for its bold design approach that challenges conventional boundaries, while still integrating community values. The park was designed by Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture for the ACT Government, Land Development Agency.
The New Acton Precinct, a creatively designed zone that integrates sustainable initiatives for both the landscape and the buildings and knits heritage and contemporary architecture together won the Urban Design Award of Excellence. The precinct was designed by Oculus for the client, Molonglo Group.
The expert jury was impressed with the high calibre of entries, saying that “It was uplifting to see the exceptional entrants and excellence in landscape architecture across a wide range of project typologies within the Territory. These projects illustrate the critical role of landscape planning, architecture and design as catalysts for fostering social cohesion, creating a sense of place, and for energising local economies.”
The 2016 jury also urged landscape architects to intensify advocacy for the design of more vibrant, enriching and resilient landscapes, and to continue to give voice to communities and promote the work of landscape architects in creating innovative living places.
Catherine Keirnan, ACT Chapter President, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects said Canberrans should be so proud of these projects that exemplify the importance of innovative, well planned spaces, allowing for the outdoor lifestyle enjoyed by all.
Projects awarded an Award of Excellence and a Landscape Architecture Award at state level proceed through to the national awards, to take place in the second half of the year, where one project will be awarded the best landscape architecture project in the country.
AILA thanks its principal corporate partner, Lappset Australia, major corporate partners, Austral Bricks and Austral Masonry, supporting corporate partners, Street Furniture Australia and Intergrain, and ACT partners Andreasens Green and WE-EF Lighting.
ACT Landscape Architecture Awards 2016 winners’ list
CIVIC LANDSCAPE
CIVIC LANDSCAPE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
2-4 National Circuit by Oculus. Photography by Oculus
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Campbell Section 5 Park by Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture. Photography by Dianna Snape
INFRASTRUCTURE
INFRASTRUCTURE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Bowen Place Crossing by Spackman Mossop Michaels. Photography by Brett Boardman
INFRASTRUCTURE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AWARD
Gungahlin Valley Ponds and Outdoor Classroom by Enviro Links Design. Photography by Jamie Dawson
CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL HERITAGE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Canberra Centenary Trail by Harris Hobbs Landscapes & Fresh Landscape Design. Photography by Ben Wrigley
CULTURAL HERITAGE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AWARD
Valour Park by Enviro Links Design. Photography by James Norton
CULTURAL HERITAGE LANDSCAPE ARCHTECTURE AWARD
The Australian Centre on China in the World by Redbox Design Group. Photography by Max Yarra
URBAN DESIGN
URBAN DESIGN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
New Acton Precinct by Oculus. Photography by Simon Patching
RESEARCH POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS
RESEARCH, POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Bloom: Healthy Spaces Exhibition by Gweneth Leigh. Photography by Gweneth Leigh
COMMUNITIES
COMMUNITIES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Canberra College Cares by Redbox Design Group. Photography by Ben Wrigley
