Sydney’s highly anticipated Barangaroo Reserve and a world-class plan for Parramatta City River, were two of 20 landscape architecture projects and professionals being recognised for outstanding innovation and design at this year’s Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture (AILA) New South Wales Awards on Friday 11th September.
“We were struck by how transformational and challenging the entries were!” said awards chair jury, Julie Marler.
“NSW is being championed by beautiful landscapes that enhance living and working environments,contribute to the social energy of the city and communicate our cultural heritage”.
McGregor Coxall, in partnership with Parramatta City Council, is being awarded the prestigious New South Wales 2015 Medal for Landscape Architecture, for their bold vision to revitalise the city foreshore of the Parramatta City River into a vibrant public space.
The compelling and innovative strategy reactivates the river corridor, connecting it to the city centre through open spaces, access ways and structured quarters.
The recently revealed Barangaroo Reserve will also accept its first official accolade, with Peter Walker and Partners, Johnson Pilton Walker, Stuart Pittendrigh, Ron Powell and Tract Consultants receiving the NSW President’s Choice Award for their collaborative and sustainable approach to the new oasis.
Honouring the natural landscape and materials, including Sydney’s famous sandstone, the team have transformed the space to immerse visitors in the heart of Sydney harbour with a visual, emotional and historic connection to the reserves and headlands.
The world-class Wylde Mountain Bike Trail – a collaborative project between Group GSA and Western Sydney Parklands Trust – was voted as the best addition to NSW’s landscape in the 2015 Premier’s People’s Choice Award in Landscape Architecture.
Other standout projects awarded include ASPECT Studios for their Alumni Green enlivening Sydney’s University of Technology and HASSELL for their redevelopment of both Darling Harbour and Sydney’s light rail. Sydney’s surrounding suburbs and regions are also home to award-winning projects, including the Sutherland Shire Council Design Services’ Cronulla Esplanade and Seawall upgrade.
The awards also recognised the profession’s future leaders, with Alexander Georgouras from Spackman Mossop Micheals Studio receiving the state’s Graduate accolade, and University of New South Wales Landscape Architecture student Allison Sainty receiving first prize in the Future Leaders Student Award.
The full list of categories and award recipients for the 2015 AILA NSW Landscape Architecture Awards are as follows:
Future Leaders Student Award
1st Prize – Allison Sainty
2nd Prize - Brinlee Pickering
AILA NSW 2015 Medal for Landscape Architecture
McGregor Coxall in partnership with Parramatta City Council for The Parramatta City River Strategy
Award for NSW President’s Choice in Landscape Architecture
Peter Walker and Partners, Johnson Pilton Walker, Stuart Pittendrigh, Ron Powell and Tract Consultants for Sydney’s Barangaroo Reserve
2015 Premier’s People’s Choice Award in Landscape Architecture
GroupGSA in collaboration with Western Sydney Parklands Trust for the Wylde Mountain Bike Trail
Award for NSW Public Practice in Landscape Architecture: Sutherland Shire Council – Design Services for Where the Shire meets the Sea; the Cronulla Esplanade and Seawall upgrade
Award for Residential Designed Landscapes: Stuart Noble Associates for Quay Apartments
Future Leaders Award – AILA NSW Graduate Landscape Architect
Alexander Georgouras from Spackman Mossop Micheals Studio
Award for Excellence in Planning in Landscape Architecture: NSW Government Architects Office for The Sydney Green Grid 
Award for Planning in Landscape Architecture: Corkery Consulting for Rhodes Peninsula Open Space Master Plan & Plan of Management
Award for Urban Design in Landscape Architecture: HASSELL for the Sydney Light Rail
Award for Urban Design in Landscape Architecture
KI Studio for Nepean River Green Bridge, Penrith-Concept Design Vision
Award for Urban Design in Landscape Architecture: HASSELL for the Darling Harbour Precinct
Award for Research and Communication in Landscape Architecture
Christine Hay for The Governor’s Gift, Phillip’s Landscape Vision Research Paper
Award for Research and Communication in Landscape Architecture
NSW Government Architects Office Landscape and Urban Design Group for Urban Green Cover in NSW Technical Guidelines
Award for Design Excellence in Landscape Architecture: ASPECT Studios for the UTS Alumni Green. Photography by Florian Groehn
Award for Design in Landscape Architecture
GroupGSA in collaboration with Western Sydney Parklands Trust for the Wylde Mountain Bike Trail
Award for Design in Landscape Architecture: KI Studio for the Glenfield to Leppington-Integrated Art and Heritage Strategy
Awards for Design in Landscape Architecture
Stuart Noble Associates for Edmondson Park
Award for Design in Landscape Architecture: Tract Consultants for Garangula Gallery
Award for Design in Landscape Architecture: Jeppe Aagaard Andersen and Turf Design Studio for Chippendale Green
Images: Supplied
