Lead project designer AECOM with whitearchitecture have been commended at the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) Gold Coast Regional Awards for their urban design work on the parklands' $32 million stage one.
Associate director of AECOM’s Design + Planning team, Joshua Hinwood, says the award recognised the initiative by Gold Coast City Council to transform the parklands into an iconic gateway to Southport and serve the local community.
"As coastal populations continue to grow, this project sets an important precedent for how to meet the urban design challenges of linking business districts with foreshore areas and recreational spaces, while also increasing protection of the coast’s natural attributes," Hinwood says.
"The extended pier, designed by whitearchitecture, plays a major role in this connection for the Southport Broadwater Parklands, extending to the water’s edge and beyond, and providing a space for community activities such as markets, fishing and boat mooring."
AECOM's design pays homage to the Broadwater’s natural beauty and the local Gold Coast lifestyle, with an interactive water playground, public stage, outdoor screen and pedestrian and bicycle paths to make the most of the warm seasonal climate. The parklands' pavilions were also designed by whitearchitecture.
Sustainability and water sensitive urban design elements include a series of solar cells which generate energy for the site and wetlands which treat stormwater and reduce its pollutants before being discharged into the Broadwater.
AECOM’s work on the Southport Broadwater Parklands is now in the running for the AIA Queensland Awards (to be announced in Brisbane June 19).
AECOM has previously won an Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Queensland planning award for its work on the parklands.
