The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) has announced the winner of its Street 11 Competition, to redesign the main street of Lilydale - winning entry Earth Central by AECOM.

Lilydale is a Major Activity Centre located east of the Melbourne CBD. The competition site is a 2 kilometre long strip of the Maroondah Highway that runs from Cavehill Road to Anderson Street.

The first prize winning concept by AECOM

Earth Central by AECOM is a proposition that intensifies both density and amenity through substantial physical change to the fabric of the Township. The jury was impressed by the clear and understandable representation of the Transport Hub, Central Park and the Living Street. Earth Central thinks big to demonstrate a realizable approach to social, economic and ecological development. The strength of this scheme lies in its ability to challenge the symmetry of the street, creating a new town centre focused around a central park.

“Main streets across Melbourne are playing an increasingly important role in our city” said Kirsten Bauer, President of the Victorian Chapter of AILA.

“They are no longer just places to buy bread and drop off dry cleaning - well designed main streets are important community destinations and social hubs for our suburbs.”

“As Melbourne’s population increases, well designed suburban main streets will be vital to maintaining the high quality of life that Melburnians have always enjoyed”, said Kirsten.

“Landscape Architects are experts in the design of public streets and spaces”, she said.

“Across Melbourne, Landscape Architects are working with communities, local governments and retailers to revitalise urban centres such as Lilydale.”

“Landscape Architects draw on the local landscape setting and it’s cultural and heritage values to create main streets that have a unique urban character”, said Kirsten.

“Our profession is about creating safe, attractive and well connected places that people feel comfortable in and enjoy using.”

The Street 11 Competition challenged entrants to redesign the main street of Lilydale to create an attractive and environmentally sustainable, pedestrian oriented town centre.

A jury of leading Landscape Architects and academics selected Earth Central by AECOM as the winner from a field of quality entries. A commendation was awarded for the ‘best urban tactic’ won by Made in Lilydale by Office of Other Spaces.

The judges included:

  • Professor Gini Lee, Elisabeth Murdoch Chair of Landscape Architecture, University of Melbourne
  • Lorrae Wild, Principal Landscape Architect, VicRoads
  • Jane Sinnamon, Manager Capital Works & Urban Planning, Shire of Yarra Ranges
  • Jill Garner, The Associate Victorian State Government Architect
  • The winning entries can be viewed at www.aila.org.au

Made in Lilydale by Office of Other Spaces

WINNER — Best Urban Tactic

Made in Lilydale by Office of Other Spaces, proposes a social tactic of participation and activity, supported by a quantifiable projection of the physical changes needed to make change happen. The jury was attracted to the thoughtful emphasis on relationships, and the analogy of the street-asecosystem. Made in Lilydale forces us to consider local ingenuity as a strategic device. It advocates a scientific approach to soft infrastructure — a social framework - that benefits from hard work, patience and resilience.