TASMANIAN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AWARD WINNERS REVEALED

Tasmania has yet again highlighted the prowess and picturesque landscape designs it has to offer, with AILA awarding four lucky designers across three categories and one Award of Excellence. AILA expressed their intention to search and select projects that celebrate the natural beauty of Tasmania to boost nature-based tourism, but also those who are trailblazing in the field. 

These awards pose a high level of significance for Tasmania, as they encourage tourism that focuses on the natural elements and the landscapes that Tasmania can offer visitors to enjoy. 

This year’s winners were applauded by the competition jury for their emphasis on these elements and will automatically be entered into the National AILA Awards that are being held in late 2021. The lineup of victors can now be revealed as: 

FREYCINET MASTER PLAN 

The Master Plan has been bestowed with the award for its aspirational articulation of nature-based tourism in the Freycinet Peninsula. The outlined recommendations of the project provide a proposal that is thorough, addresses the site’s issues, and is comprehensive in a way that benefits the significance of the site. 

CRADLE MOUNTAIN VISITOR CENTRE.

Cradle Mountain is an ancient collection of glacial lakes, snow-covered mountains, and alpine moorlands, with this visitor centre being the epicentre of the location. This design has been regarded for its resistance to catching your eye on the structure and rather implores onlooker’s eyes to instead wander along the surrounding landscape. 

ACTON RESIDENCE.

This design which features a collection of gardens was selected due to its appealing, delightful look that ensures the landscape is brought to the forefront of the visitor’s view. The courtyard was presented as the ‘hero; of the estate and despite its organized informality draws attention to the site’s history and context. 

These projects all have received a Landscape Architecture Award, with landscape architect Playstreet responsible for all three across the categories of tourism, landscape planning, and gardens. 

The Excellence Award has been bestowed to: 

A MANUAL - PUMPED HYDRO ENERGY STORAGE.

The jury agreed this design demonstrated Inspiring Place’s leadership in the industry, and focuses on visual impact assessment which is a practice that is not used by many architects. It effectively communicates how people interpret landscapes and manage scenery, and how architecture can have different impacts on the landscape.

This project was by landscape architect Inspiring Place located in Hobart and was in the landscape architect category. It was recognised for its ability to cement landscape appreciation in the region. 

AILA Tasmania ex-President Jerry De Gryse said the winning projects have reinforced the public’s interest in nature-based tourism and will aid in attracting travellers to visit Tasmania. Mr Gryse has commended the efforts of all the entrants and winners for their contribution to the industry, and community.  

“With international tourism off the cards, Tasmania has become a hotspot for domestic tourism, and it’s very encouraging to see the landscape architecture industry embracing and accommodating this,” Mr Gryse stated.