AILA 2020 NATIONAL AWARDS

Domic by James Birrell Design Lab

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) hosted its National Awards program this week, which highlighted a host of spectacular landscapes including a series of residential gardens reflecting the ecological, physical and emotional benefits a well-designed greenspace can provide.

There was a strong presence of work that involved true indigenous engagement and outcomes, work that catered for the disadvantaged or less able in society, and a strong representation of small space and gardens. “AILA stands by city-shaping projects that improve community-wide liveability and urbanity, but it also appreciates and admires work done in smaller spaces – which can sometimes be the most challenging projects,” claimed AILA CEO Ben Stockwin.

“We awarded five projects under the gardens category, which included the construction of gardens in both house and apartment settings, all of which contribute to the role and understanding of the garden in contemporary society and culture.”

A project that embraced the local flora and allowed itself to be sculptured and engulfed by the forms and vegetation of Sunshine Beach, Queensland, was Domic by James Birrell Design Lab.

Domic by James Birrell Design Lab

Garden as architecture and architecture as garden, the jury noted the ultimate achievement of the project is the way in which the developing garden will further soften and envelop the building.

According to the jury, “The Domic landscape garden merges the architecture of this house with its spectacular coastal setting. It is an intensely developed and very large-budget project, located in close proximity to Noosa National Park. It’s apparent that the landscape architect and architect have worked together to achieve a garden that blurs the interface of site landscape and building.”

Clifftop Garden by Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture

Clifftop Garden by Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture was awarded for its masterclass in design crafting, plant appreciation, garden placemaking and unique site understanding.

The jury found “the garden timeless in its appreciation and use of endemic plant material. Ultimately, the garden just fits into the cliff site and the garden is quiet and subtle, which is not often the case on sites as significant as this clifftop position.”

The value of having open space right on your doorstop has never been so evident with the recent pandemic.

“Where you may not be able to attend your community parks or nearby nature reserves, what you do still have is your backyard for fresh air, sunshine and an escape.”

“Nature and the outdoors are such an important element of our mental and physical health, and importantly, provide a space where small groups can safely come together and unity is brought back into our lives.”

“We are all of course feeling for those people who live in dull, balcony-less apartments, but AILA was pleased to celebrate three examples of landscape design in high density urban living that promotes connection and a sensual experience.”

Arkadia Apartments, NSW

Taking out the prestigious Award of Excellence in the Gardens category was Arkadia Apartments in Alexandria, New South Wales, for its great thought leadership to design and realise a productive, human-centric, high performing garden in high density inner-city living.

The jury highlighted Arkadia Apartments as “a project that illustrated the role the garden can play in connecting residents to their place, its history, and importantly, to each other. The high-quality, environmentally-sensitive materials and exceptional planting palette demonstrate the value and contribution of such high performing private spaces to the overall dialogue of landscape architecture.”

320 George Street, VIC. Fiona Harrison and Simon Ellis Landscape Architects

Also receiving a Landscape Architect Award was 320 George Street in Fitzroy, Victoria, by Fiona Harrison and Simon Ellis Landscape Architects.

Put aptly by the jury, “The ugly becomes inhabitable through the skill of the landscape architect.”

The jury explained the project as “a delightful, well-executed garden that negotiates the complexities of private, common and public spaces with a lush planting palette. It demonstrates the breadth of the landscape architecture profession to bring joy to the world and, in this case, improve the amenity of a less-than-optimal residential complex.”

Nightingale 2.0, NSW. SBLA Studio and Rebecca White

Nightingale 2.0 in Fairfield, New South Wales by SBLA Studio and Rebecca White took out a Landscape Architecture Award for demonstrating a different approach to rooftop and vertical gardens.

The jury commended the project for “drawing from natural occurring landscape systems that parallel the microclimatic condition and explore alternative plants to those typically found in urban environments. The rooftop gardens provide a beautiful backdrop to the communal spaces of the development while the vertical garden delivers an enchanting cascade of stag horns that welcome resident and visitors on their arrival.”

Nightingale 2.0, NSW. SBLA Studio and Rebecca White

“Collectively we face the challenge of urban density, so the future of design and management of green infrastructure is a very high priority for AILA,” Mr Stockwin said.

“We are thrilled to be seeing the industry making contributions in an urban space that develop destinations close to home that act as a sensual escape and provide a welcome feel.”

To view the full list of winners CLICK HERE