Rodney Owen Beames Memorial Award 2009
2009 Judges
Heath Edwards AILA
Daniel Bennett HASSELL
Christine Goodwin Arts SA
The selection for the 2009 Rodney Owen Beames Memorial Award, jointly sponsored by HASSELL and AILA and supported by Arts SA, took place on 23rd November at Arts SA in Hindley Street.
The judges were impressed with all three candidates and the professionalism of their work, their presentation and their understanding of the diversity of art within landscape architecture. Each project met the Award criteria and the judges want to thank the candidates, Aylwen, Daniel and Sally, for their hard work and time in presenting their projects.
The judges have decided to award the Rodney Owen Beames Memorial Award 2009 to Aylwen Dennis and her project titled New Vision for Lost Reed Beds.
Aylwen demonstrated a sound knowledge of the integration of land art, natural systems and technical ability in her design of a regional coastal park, including an aquifer storage and recharge facility, at West Beach. Her site, deliberately chosen, represents the confluence of three complex river systems that previously discharged into a natural marsh system known as the reedbeds.
Her design philosophy explored the Kaurna culture and their process of weaving nets from reeds as a patterning device. This approach informed the design from the outset, was legible throughout her process, and present in the final design that included undulating landforms through transecting pathways and sculptural elements.
Her understanding of the site, particularly of recreation linkages in the area, the flora and fauna requirements imposed by Adelaide Airport, and her rationalisation of existing facilities and infrastructure on the site showed sensitivity and a true understanding of site context.
The judges were particularly impressed with her knowledge of indigenous planting and her idea of the site being a transitory canvas - a landscape that changes over the seasons with different indigenous planting types and flowering times. The fact that this canvas would be viewed from above by people arriving and leaving Adelaide by plane as a constantly evolving land art entry statement showed vision and creativity.
Congratulations Aylwen.
