Principal Partner These awards aim to foster recognition of the profession of landscape architecture, encourage excellence and provide public acknowledgement of the valuable contributions made by the profession to the improvement of our natural and built environments. The 2007 AILA Victoria Project Awards were announced in Melbourne on 16 November 2007. View the 2007 Award eBook Major Sponsors AILA Victoria Award in Landscape Architecture THE AUSTRALIAN GARDEN STAGE ONE, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, CRANBOURNE - Taylor Cullity Lethlean with Paul Thompson ... through its powerful design strategies amplifies the quintessential nature of Australian landscapes. DESIGN AWARDS AILA Victoria Award for Excellence in Design THE AUSTRALIAN GARDEN STAGE ONE, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, CRANBOURNE - Taylor Cullity Lethlean with Paul Thompson The Australian Botanic Garden at Cranbourne is an outstanding example of a landscape architectural project that through its powerful design strategies amplifies the quintessential nature of Australian landscapes.  The visitor is drawn through a rich and varied series of gardens each with dramatically juxtaposed spatial dynamics, colours and textures, smells and sounds that will leave them deeply inspired. The landscape architects have created a landmark project that exemplifies the benefits of collaborative practice that has involved a wide range of allied professionals. The layers of educative and creative storytelling imbued throughout the project will be a catalyst for progressive change within the minds of all who visit and will enhance the understanding and appreciation of our unique Australian landscape.                         Photographs: Peter Hyatt, Ben Wrigley, Dianna Snape, John O’Neill MERIT AWARDS DARLINGTON PUBLIC DOMAIN STAGE ONE, UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY - Taylor Cullity  Lethlean with Paul Carter Darlington Public Domain proves a striking statement of social and environmental sustainability that more than satisfies the client’s brief for an address, and a safe, equitable point of access for the 20,000 users daily. FUTURE GARDEN: DOMAIN OF DILEMMAS, AUSTRALIA GARDEN, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, CRANBOURNE - SITE OFFICE Pty Ltd Landscape Architecture The project successfully implements a strong landscape concept with innovative use of construction materials and contemporary design.  The jury was impressed by the testing and research of prototypes by the landscape architects to ensure the theoretical approach was successfully followed through to on site implementation within a limited budget. THE SIEV X MEMORIAL - RMIT University: Dr Sue Anne Ware The project has touched the lives of many people, assisting in the education of the community about refugee issues, highlighting the cause of refugee communities within the media and generally raising awareness about social justice. COMMENDATION AWARDS RAGLAN STREET PARKLAND, PORT MELBOURNE - SITE OFFICE Pty Ltd Landscape Architecture The Raglan Street project turns a pocket handkerchief sized impacted corner into a usable oasis. The jury was impressed with the built and soft landscaped elements that contribute to a delightful ensemble. VESSELS OF LIGHT, DANDENONG - Sinatra Murphy Pty Ltd Vessels of Light highlights the diversity of landscape architectural practice. The project was initiated to strengthen pedestrian connections between Dandenong Station and Dandenong Market. The form of the seven Vessels is constructed from layers of individually cut sheets of polycarbonate of varying colour.  The material appears to glow when refracting sunlight and is illuminated by LED lights at night. 21ST CENTURY GARDEN, GEELONG BOTANIC GARDENS - Land Design Partnership The high quality of the low maintenance design and its respect for the past ensure that this new interpretive garden will contribute for generations to the culture of Geelong AURORA: STAGE 1, PARKS & LANDSCAPES, EPPING NORTH - MDG Landscape Architects A carefully selected native and indigenous planting palette permeates throughout the streetscape and public open space / reserves, enhancing existing protected remnant vegetation. Additional vegetation guidelines have been developed to ensure the continuation of this palette into the front garden of all allotments. Each open space reflects the residential character that surrounds, and is sensitively sited to protect ecologically sensitive areas.           Also awarded a Special Jury Citation for Innovation in Planned Communities PLANNING AWARDS MERIT AWARDS KOROROIT CREEK REGIONAL STRATEGY 2005 - 2030 - Land Design Partnership Importantly, this strategy transcends the agendas of seven independent land management authorities to present a coordinated framework that can be further developed in local master plans, programs and policies for improving the creek environment. EYNESBURY TOWNSHIP - Tract Consultants The master plan exhibits exemplary features in the areas of heritage preservation; vegetation conservation; water sensitive urban design and recreation planning. GREENING FOOTSCRAY STRATEGY - Maribynong City Council The strategy outlines the desired affect street trees can have on a street in terms of value and function. This innovative approach allows both environmental and social outcomes to be envisioned. COMMENDATION AWARDS COASTAL TOWNS DESIGN FRAMEWORK PROJECT - Urban Initiatives Pty Ltd in association with Meinhardt Infrastructure & Environment Pty Ltd The depth and breadth of the study demanded an understanding of local issues and aspirations for each settlement and comprehensive community engagement EASTSIDE, GIBRALTAR - Tract Consultants Fundamental to the landscape masterplan for Eastside, a residential development on the eastern coastline of Gibraltar,  was the response to the extensive environmental brief, far broader, than the usual water-sensitive and drought tolerant requirements. THE SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE, LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT PLAN - Rush Wright Associates The jury was impressed with the evocative presentation and clarity of expression of the plan and recognises this projects positive contribution to the ongoing management and preservation of the reserve as the premier memorial landscape of its type in Victoria. LAND MANAGEMENT AWARDS AILA Victoria Award for Excellence in Land Management  KUBU RIVER HIPPOS' EXHIBIT, WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO - Urban Initiatives Pty Ltd In 2004, Zoo's Victoria and Werribee Open Range Zoo embarked on an innovative scheme for the Hippo Marsh Exhibit that delivers a unique experience of Hippos in a landscape thematically representing the Okavango Delta of Botswana. The project reflects a new approach in the world of zoological design and includes a unique merging of constructed ecology, engineering and design. Key elements being the exhibit pools, filtration wetlands and treatment systems for Kubu River Hippos’. This significant land management project not only challenged the traditional form of a Hippos exhibit, but the whole way it presents the critical issues to the public, engages with the visitor, cares for it’s constituents, and most importantly establishes a new approach to ‘sustainability’ within the exhibit.                                                              Photographs: Urban Initiatives , Drew Echberg COMMENDATION AWARD   MINERAL SPRING HAND PUMP RENEWAL PROGRAM - Land Design Partnership The consultants and managers for this project clearly understood their role and identified that this unique project required an innovative approach, insightful and considered solution, to a culturally and environmentally significant issue. RESEARCH & COMMUNICATION AILA Victoria Award for Excellence in Research & Communication  AUSTRALIAN PLANTING DESIGN - Paul Thompson, Plant Design Pty Ltd Australian Planting Design provides the template to creating the character and atmosphere needed to bring fascination into human spaces. It identifies and explores all aspects of developing better designs on any scale, raising awareness of the essential elements and encouraging readers to look with fresh eyes, to create anew. This fully referenced book guides the reader through all the stages of creating a new garden including Components of a Garden, Planting Design, and Time and Change The Jury recognises that Paul’s book makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the development of urban landscapes and garden designs that are more suitable to our Australian environment. MERIT AWARDS ATHERTON GARDENS DVD - Wallbrink Consulting The Atherton Garden DVD provides a valuable educational tool for communicating  to tenants and the broader public best practice sustainable landscape design principles. RESEARCH INTO IMPLEMENTING REALITY VISUALISATION TECHNIQUES FOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS - Aspect Studios Conducted in a variety of contexts including real projects, educational programs and as part of university research collaborations, this research explores the interaction between software, design process, virtual reality and built outcomes. PRESIDENT'S AWARDS                                        PRESIDENT'S AWARD FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT PIAZZA ITALIA AT ARGYLE SQUARE - City of Melbourne: Design & Urban Environment The thorough consultation and design process of Piazza Italia at Argyle Square recognises and celebrates the contribution of Italian migrants to Melbourne.  Its uniqueness captures the cities diverse culture in contemporary expression and has a tangible relationship to Melbourne’s sister city Milan. MARWAL AVENUE STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENT WORKS - City of Boroondara This small project is well executed and is now recognised as an important example of on-the-ground WSUD projects in Melbourne.  The public have embraced this project and it is now a catalyst for future upgrade works within the city. MADDERN SQUARE - Rush/Wright Associates & City of Maribyrnong This thought provoking and robust design is the beginning of many projects proposed for central Footscray.  The useable plaza provides three distinct urban spaces and delivers a practical and enjoyable civic space. PRESIDENT'S AWARD FOR PLAYGROUND DESIGN HEATHERTON PARK PLAY SPACE - Landarche Pty Ltd in conjunction with City of Kingston This project creates an inspirational relationship between the natural space and creative play experiences for children.  It is a unique contribution to quality play spaces within the community of suburban Melbourne. CAIRNS ESPLANADE SKATE PARK - Convic Design Pty Ltd This uniquely designed integrated sports facility and urban recreation plaza demonstrates the importance of site and context, has embraced the need to redefine skate parks, teenage focused public infrastructure and associated active spaces and integrates them into the broader public landscape. FUTURE LEADERS AWARDS AILA VICTORIA GRADUATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT AWARD  SULOCHI N WALSINGHE Since beginning her work at Mary Jeavons landscape architecture firm, Soluchi has continued to explore her interest in children’s play and design with passion and dedication. Soluchi has participated in all aspects of the design process, including research, consultation, design, documentation and construction. The jury was impressed by Sulochi’s commitment to producing innovative environments and spaces that allow children to explore their imagination and creativity through play. AILA VICTORIA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE STUDENT AWARD       THE EDITORS OF KERB 15: CLAIRE MARTIN, ANDREW MILLER, ROBYN BARLOW, STEPH KERR Kerb is an outstanding achievement for a group of students; Claire Martin, Andrew Miller, Robyn Barlow, and Steph Kerr have shown how they worked tirelessly, collaboratively and professionally in the production of such an outstanding edition of Kerb. Kerb 15 explores how we might re-conceptualise the design and growth of future cities through an exploration of landscape urbanism as a projective mode of thinking,