AILA Awards: WA’s top landscapes

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) has announced the winners of the 2020 Western Australian Landscape Architecture Awards, a celebration of the best landscape architecture projects in the state.

13 outstanding projects were awarded across 11 categories, recognising design excellence across Western Australia. Jury Chair Nathan Greenhill says that this year’s winning projects highlight the value of landscape architecture in our urban and regional centres.

As the world deals with COVID-19, we’ve been reminded of the foundational role that public space plays in maintaining and strengthening our connections, as well as our physical and mental health
Jury Chair Nathan Greenhill

The WA Medal, this year’s top honour, was awarded to a collaboratively developed community meeting place designed by Nyamba Buru Yawuru and MudMap Studio. Liyan-ngan Nyirrwa (Cultural Wellness Centre) is located in Broome on the grounds of Nyamba Buru Yawuru.

The Liyan-ngan Nyirrwa landscape is designed to maximises cultural wellness, with the creation of places for honouring and celebrating Yawuru people, and for healing and reconciliation. Image: Nyamba Buru Yawuru

“To create a meaningful gathering space for the community, Nyamba Buru Yawuru and MudMap Studio worked together in a process of listening, observing, engaging and understanding,” says Greenhill. “Liyan-Ngan Nyirrwa embodies the essence of landscape architecture as a collaborative practice.”

Other projects celebrated in this year’s awards include a riverfront plaza in South Perth, a renewed waterfront in Rockingham, and a biodiverse residential garden in Subicao.

Fremantle practices were recognised across several categories. Congratulations UDLA for taking out two awards. The Rocks Laneway in Geraldton received the Award of Excellence in the Urban Design category, and UWA Cultural Heritage Mapping project received the Award of Excellence in the Cultural Heritage category.

The Rocks Laneway in Geradlton delivers a new pedestrian link via the transformed ‘Rocks’ building that provides an additional connection between the Foreshore, through to Marine Terrace (the main retail precinct) through to the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery. ‘Wildflower’, a supergraphic by Trevor Richards, guides pedestrians along the route. Image: Josh Monagan

UWA Cultural Heritage Mapping Project provides a map of the UWA Campus revealing a cross-cultural ‘living’ spatial knowledge that can be woven into an ever-changing contemporary fabric. The project was undertaken by landscape architects alongside artists and Noongar Elders and leaders.Image: Jason Thomas

North Fremantle practice Ecoscape received the Award of Excellence in the Community Contribution category for Saint Joseph’s Nature Play Master Plan, and a Landscape Architecture Award for Play Spaces for the Barrow Park Play Space in North Coogee / South Beach.

The Barrow Park Pump Track and Play Space drew inspiration from the surrounding Fremantle vernacular and local pocket parks. The design utilised recycled materials and a coastal plant palette to reflect local character and embody principles of sustainability. Image: Leela Day

“Western Australian landscape architects continue to deliver amazing projects that transform public and community spaces that are highly valued, have genuine purpose and that restore our connections to place and people,” says Greenhill.

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