The best in Australian urban design has been revealed at the nation’s premier awards.
The 2016 Australian Urban Design Awards recognised six entries across four categories, with another six projects receiving commendations.
The City of Sydney took out two of the categories, with its Green Square town centre and Sydney Park water re-use project.
The Goods Line
The multi-award winning Sydney Park water re-use project won the Delivered Outcome – Large Scale category award, while Green Square was awarded the Urban Design, Policies, Programs and Concepts – Large Scale category.
The jury commended the water re-use project as, “an inspiring and innovative project that goes way beyond standard sustainability outcomes but also captures the hearts and minds of everyone who visits and reminds them about our most important resource, water”.
The Sydney Park water re-use project harvests and treats up to 850 million litres of stormwater from Newtown’s Munni Street catchment each year. The water is used to irrigate the 44-hectare parkland and supply water to a neighbouring depot.
The Australian Urban Design Awards, awarded by the Planning Institute of Australia, is one of the nation’s largest urban design competitions.
Established in 1996 by Prime Minister Paul Keating, the program recognises contemporary Australian urban design projects of the highest quality.
The 2016 judging panel included representatives from the Australian Institute of Architects, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, Government Architects Network Australia, Green Building Council of Australia, Consult Australia, Engineers Australia, Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council and Urban Design Forum.
In a message congratulating the finalists, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said: “These projects and designs will enhance our cities’ built environments for the people they must serve, and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.”
Australia Award for Urban Design, Delivered Outcome – Large Scale
Award
Sydney Park Water Re-Use Project(Sydney, New South Wales) – Turf Design Studio and Environmental Partnership with Alluvium, Turpin and Crawford Studio and Dragonfly Environmental
Commendations
Esperance Waterfront (Esperance, Western Australia) – Hassell
Monash University Clayton Campus Masterplan (Clayton, Victoria) – MGS Architects and Masterplanners, Monash University and Monash University Design Consultancy
Australia Award for Urban Design, Delivered Outcome – Small Scale
Awards
The Goods Line (Sydney, New South Wales) – Aspect Studios, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, CHROFI, Gartner Rose
Bowen Place Crossing (Bowen Place, ACT) – Lahznimmo Architects and Spackman Mossop Michaels Landscape Architects
Commendations
Brisbane Ferry Terminals Floods Renewal (Brisbane, Queensland) – Cox Architecture and Aurecon and Lat27
City Beach Surf Club and Commercial Development (Perth, Western Australia) – Christou Design Group
Australia Award for Urban Design, Policies, Programs and Concepts – Large Scale
Awards
Green Square Town Centre (Sydney, New South Wales) – City of Sydney
Turramurra Community Hub Masterplan (Sydney, New South Wales) –CHROFI in association with Ku-ring-gai Council
Commendations
Capital Metro - Canberra Light Rail (Canberra, ACT) –Hassell/Arup/Transport Canberra
Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade - Reference Urban Design Framework (Brisbane, Queensland) – Fred St
Australia Award for Urban Design, Policies, Programs and Concepts - Small Scale
Award
WGV at White Gum Valley (White Gum Valley, Western Australia) – Coda Studio, Urbis, Landcorp, Josh Byrne and Associates