The strength of the Landscape Architecture profession was displayed this evening at the Queensland Landscape Architecture Awards 2020.
The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Queensland has announced 17 winning projects – including three Awards of Excellence and one Regional Award – which all highlight commitment to the deep-rooted values of the industry.
AILA Queensland President David Uhlmann said since entries were opened to this year’s Queensland Landscape Architecture Awards our way of life has changed dramatically.
“Our industry demonstrated its value in lock down and is poised to lead the way to our shared recovery,” Mr Uhlmann said.
“With people spending more time enjoying local parks, backyards, and green spaces, landscape architecture has been brought to the forefront and the situation has highlighted its importance now more than ever before.
“We believe there has been a newfound realisation of the importance of green space and active travel opportunities that are complementary to essential infrastructure, not only in our city centres, but also in our neighbourhoods, and surrounding our homes.
“These outdoor destinations are playing a huge role in social recovery as we begin to step out from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As restrictions ease, we will be able to venture further afield to enjoy the wonderful places created by this year’s entrants.
“I commend the outstanding calibre of entrants in this year’s awards and am thrilled to reveal the winners of the Landscape Architecture Awards for 2020.”
AILA Queensland Jury Chair Deb Robbins said the jury received 68 submissions across 14 categories which reflected the strength and diversity of the industry.
“Submissions were centred around our collective need to play, connect, unlock potential to create opportunity, to give back to the community and to proactively adapt for climate change,” Ms Robbins said.
“Our winners stood out as exceptional places that connect and bring communities together, bring comfort by adapting micro-climates, enable fun and learning through play, and create places that unlock potential and reveal the beauty of our environment and our relationship with it.
“One of the largest entry categories, Parks and Open Space, confirmed our love for the outdoors with a vast range and scale of projects that enable play, exercise, enhancement and restoration of the environment.
“Across the Infrastructure and Research categories we are seeing real value placed on connecting people through active transport – reducing our dependency on cars – which is one of the most important and rewarding aspects of our work – freeing up the streets for more public spaces.
“The ability for Landscape Architects to unlock potential through design and sensitively reveal places previously unconceived was deftly evident in the categories of Civic Landscape, Cultural Heritage and Urban Design.
“Finally, showing community heart through quiet and subtle work that brings comfort and joy came through in the Community Contribution, Tourism and Small Projects Categories.
“The jury were impressed by the depth and breadth of all the entries, and their commitment to ensuring the values of our profession are articulated through the ambitious strategies and great work being built throughout our State.”
Click for more information on AILA Queensland Awards.
