A selection of Sunshine Coast projects are in the running for a major landscape architecture award.
The Caloundra Community and Creative Hub, Caloundra Headland Coastal Pathway, Sunrise Beach Aged Care, Matthew Flinders Anglican College (The Green), Wallumburn at Lake Cooroibah, the Design Guide for Sunshine Coast Apartments and Townhouses, and the Nambour (Namba) Place Plan are among 52 initiatives from around the state vying for the People’s Choice Award at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Queensland Chapter Awards.
Voting for the award is now open, giving Queenslanders the opportunity to have their say and vote for their favourite landscape architecture design.
AILA Queensland jury chair David Hatherly said the calibre of this year’s entrants was outstanding.
“I can assure Queenslanders they’ll have a tough job narrowing the field to one favourite design,” he said. “All of this year’s entries display a high degree of creativity and sensitivity to their sites: essential ingredients for the most successful built and natural landscapes.”
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The project overview for the Caloundra Community and Creative Hub, by entrants Jacobs and Sunshine Coast Council, states that it “envisions a vibrant new community precinct to rejuvenate the town’s retail core and establish a new cultural hub”.
“This people-first precinct is centred on a reimagined green town square – a place for cultural expression and events, connecting The Events Centre, new district library, Caloundra Regional Gallery and Bulcock Beach,” it says. “CCH challenges the traditional notion of a civic square, establishes a new community hub which is inspired by the unique qualities of Caloundra’s landscape and people.”
The project overview for the Caloundra Headland Coastal Pathway, by entrant O2 Landscape Architecture, states: “The pathway maximises the foreshore’s natural beauty, enriching the recreational experience of the community. Thoughtfully designed with careful construction detailing and material selection, the pathway winds through the vegetated embankment, blending with its surroundings while minimising visual intrusion from the beach. Seating and gathering nooks are positioned to provide rest points while taking-in breathtaking ocean and beach views, framed by surrounding vegetation.”
The project overview for Sunrise Beach Aged Care, by Urbis Ltd, states that it is “nestled just 3km from Hastings Street in Noosa and overlooking the breathtaking Noosa National Park”.
“The Sunrise Beach Aged Care facility faced unique environmental challenges,” it says. “Embracing these, we created a garden design that celebrated the stunning location. Rooted in ‘Care’, ‘Place’, and climate-responsive design, buildings and covered walkways were positioned around courtyard gardens to maximise natural light, ventilation, and views. The gardens support Blue Care’s Tailor-Made person-centred care while achieving operational efficiency.”
The project overview for Tract’s The Green at Matthew Flinders Anglican College states that the initiative was “an extension of the new design, art and technology precinct”.
“The Green at Matthew Flinders Anglican College radiates personality through playful forms, textures and patterns,” it says. “This vibrant school heart fuses the existing campus fabric with the new Infinity Centre, delivering a highly flexible foundation for learning, socialising and performing. The dynamic outdoor learning environment supports diverse pedagogical approaches and learning styles.”
The project overview for Wallumburn at Lake Cooroibah states that the site was “once a welter of humble tin buildings set amongst eucalypt woodland and wallum.”
“(It) is now a place of integrated built and natural elements interconnected in detail and in keeping with their laid back bush setting,” it says. “This semi-rural native garden is quirky, sustainable and honest. The design evolved with the clients at heart and came to fruition in response to their motivation and trust.” The entrant is Coco-Dash Landscape Architecture.
The project overview for The Design Guide for Sunshine Coast Apartments and Townhouses states that it “was developed in house to support the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme to encourage well-designed, medium density developments that maximise liveability, prioritise landscape, and respect the local climate, context and character”.
“The guide promotes the retention of existing trees, softening of hardscape, large setbacks to accommodate significant trees, and the provision communal areas to encourage community connection,” it says. The entrant is Sunshine Coast Council.
The project overview for the Nambour (Namba) Place Plan states that the location is “a place of importance for the Kabi Kabi People and the historic capital of the Sunshine Coast”.
“Nambour (Namba) has gone through significant challenges in the past few decades and is reimagining its identity and purpose,” it says. “A landscape architect led place-based approach to public realm planning, the plan is a response to the town’s emerging identity. It helps to complete the puzzle by providing a clear vision, while responding to the existing fine grain nuances of the historic centre.” The entrant is Sunshine Coast Council with Taylor Cullity Lethlean.
The awards will be presented in the Brisbane CBD on June 12. Click here to vote.
