Five Sunshine Coast landscapes are in the running for a prestigious award that recognises excellence in planning and design of built and natural environments.
The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Awards are a key vehicle for the promotion of the positive impact the profession has on Australian lives.
The five local nominees are in the running for the People’s Choice Award, which gives the public an opportunity to vote on their favourite project in four categories: parks and open space, play spaces, gardens and health and education landscape.
AILA Queensland president Tessa Leggo said landscapes played an important role in people’s lives.
“Landscape architects are delivering private and public landscapes that are responding to our changing environment, addressing challenges faced by communities to provide adaptable and liveable cities,” she said.
Among the Coast nominees is Cooroy’s Hinterland Adventure Playground in the play spaces and parks and open space categories.
Paul Prendergast, an associate director of consultant Urbis, said the playground – which was built on a former sawmill site – aimed to bring together all aspects of the original landscape.
“The design was inspired by the lush riparian surrounds of Cooroy Creek and the industrial edge of the lower mill site,” he said.
“These opposing elements were fused together to create a nature-based adventure playground punctuated by raw industrial play elements.
“We followed the mantra that everything in the park should be ‘playable’. This unlocked a new level of value back to the user. Retaining walls, amenities blocks and picnic shelters were expressed playfully to facilitate climbing, crawling, conquering, sliding and imaginative role play.
“The result is a highly layered play experience catering to large and diverse groups of children.”
Another Urbis entry is the Halcyon Nirimba clubhouse in the health and education category.
The AILA website describes it as “a modern take on the traditional Queenslander” with sweeping verandas; a heated swimming pool, spa and gym; productive gardens; pickleball and bocce courts; and a bowling green.
Banksia House at Kings Beach, by 7b_landscapes+interiors, is in the gardens category.
“A predominantly native palette of verdant, layered planting roots the project into the local vernacular, ensuring a sustainable future with minimal maintenance and water requirements,” the AILA website says.
Sunshine Coast Council’s Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation – Northern Parkland (with AECOM and Place Design Group) and Buderim Village Park are also in the running in the parks and open space category.
The 2023 AILA Queensland People’s Choice Award will be announced on June 15. Voting closes on June 4. One voter will win a Great Barrier Reef day trip to Lady Elliot Island from the Gold Coast for two adults, valued at $1888. The winner will be announced on June 15.
People’s Choice Award Entries from the Sunshine Coast outlined below (full list of People’s Choice Award entries are in the attachment).
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