The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) has presented 36 awards to projects spanning 17 categories during its annual Festival of Landscape Architecture, with award winners announced at a ceremony in Tasmania last night.
AILA National Jury Chair, Kate Luckraft, praised the winning designers for their efforts to forge vital new collaborations between landscape architects, communities and academics.
“Across the board, projects enriched by First Nations collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking exemplify how landscape architects are shaping resilient, climate-conscious places that reflect a deeper understanding of Country and community,” said Ms Luckraft.
The Living Lab Northern Rivers (LLNR) project won an Award of Excellence – the highest honour for Community Contribution – and also took home a Regional Achievement Award. Designed by University of Technology Sydney and Living Lab Northern Rivers, LLNR aims to create sustainable and resilient opportunities for the region – via a permanent shopfront and the creation of reports, exhibitions, design studios and workshops.
Established on Bundjalung Country after the 2022 floods, LLNR brings together communities, First Nations knowledge holders, Government, business and universities. The Jury described the award-winner as a “groundbreaking hybrid model of research, co-design and practice” that offers a “powerful model for climate adaptation and community-led change”.
Another of the evening’s dual award winners was the Wagonga Inlet Living Foreshore by REALMstudios. This NSW project was the recipient of both the Climate-Positive Design Award of Excellence and the Land Management Award of Excellence.
An initiative of the Eurobodalla Shire Council, the project integrates multiple restoration strategies – including living shorelines, bank = stabilisation, saltmarsh rehabilitation and oyster reef restoration – creating an adaptive, resilient coastal ecosystem, in readiness for
changing coastal conditions.
The Jury described the project as an outstanding example of coastal protection in harmony with nature, culture and community.
“The design is to be commended for leading the replacement of a failing seawall with innovative nature-based solutions that restored over 3,000 square metres of saltmarsh, brought back rare oyster reefs, and created vital habitats for marine and birdlife,” it stated.
The highly collaborative effort involved Traditional Custodians, scientists, agencies and volunteers, empowering Indigenous rangers and fostering strong partnerships.
Two Victorian designs were declared the nation’s best gardens. Green Our Roof, by Hassell Studio, and Hedge House by Emergent Studios (Bush Projects) each received a Landscape Architecture Award.
Meanwhile, City of Stonnington Council’s Central Park All-Abilities Playground (pictured, main image and right) project collaboration with SBLA Studio took home the Landscape Architecture Award (for Play Spaces).
The jury said the team had created a playspace that “feels like you have arrived in an alternate world”.
“A narrative that honours the layers of the site’s stories centre around a large lemon-scented gum to create an all-abilities play area.
“Paths navigate acacia trees, native grasslands and a sensory garden. Playful water misters, a wobble path for children who don’t necessarily get to experience the feeling of movement are located adjected to signs created by SBLA Studio’s children to provide the hard hitting questions of how we respect or truly listen to what nature is telling us,” the citation states.
Brisbane City Council’s Archerfield Wetlands Lands Management effort (pictured, below) won the Landscape Architecture Award (for Land Management).
Designed by Brisbane Sustainability Agency in collaboration with the Council, Greening Australia, Oxley Creek Catchment Association, Bushcare Services, Professor Hugh Possingham, Birds Queensland, Birdlife Southern Queensland, the project transformed a 150-hectare degraded green space and one of Brisbane’s largest floodplain ecosystems, into a unique recreational and environmental asset for the city.
“This project exemplifies best-practice ecological restoration, community-driven conservation, and resilient parkland design. Through innovative land management strategies, ecosystem improvements, cultural engagement, and sustainable infrastructure development, BSA is creating an enduring asset that supports biodiversity, creates valuable habitat, fosters community connection, and strengthens the resilience of Brisbane’s urban landscapes,” the Jury stated.
The 2025 AILA President’s Award was awarded to Gold Places, an initiative of AILA, the Australian Institute of Architects, the Planning Institute of Australia, and the Design Institute of Australia.
Green Pathways, Gold Places is an advocacy campaign that provides an actionable framework to ensure the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games deliver a legacy of connected, inclusive, and high-quality public realm outcomes for communities across Queensland.
The campaign calls for the creation of a 2032 Design Coordination Unit within the Office of the Queensland Government Architect; an integrated green grid; an Olympic forest; and precinct-based design approaches.
The Jury described Green Pathways, Gold Places as “uniting industry and Government in a shared vision”.
