Climate-positive landscapes win at design awards
The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) has awarded the country’s best landscapes during its annual Festival of Landscape Architecture.
Winners were revealed in a ceremony held in Lutruwita/Tasmania on 21 October.
AILA’s National Jury presented 36 awards to projects spanning 17 categories. AILA National Jury Chair Kate Luckraft praised the winning designers for forging vital new collaborations between landscape architects, communities and academics. She also lauded the profession’s commitment to climate-positive design.
In summarising the impact of this year’s winning work, Luckraft said, “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.”
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.
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 along with University of Technology Sydney, 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.
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, in Narooma, 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 3000 square metres of saltmarsh, brought back rare oyster reefs, and created vital habitats for marine and birdlife.”
The highly collaborative effort involved Traditional Custodians, scientists, agencies and volunteers, empowering Indigenous rangers and fostering strong partnerships.
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.
An initiative of AILA, the Australian Institute of Architects, the Planning Institute of Australia, and the Design Institute of Australia, Green Pathways, Gold Places was applauded as a worthy winner of the 2025 AILA President’s Award.
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”.
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