News Archive

The Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts' students, staff and alumni featured prominently on the winner's list at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) WA Chapter's biennial awards held on the 2 May.

Dr Julian Bolleter from The Australian Urban Design Research Centre (AUDRC) took the main award of the night, the WA Medal for Landscape Architecture, for his research and publication Made in Australia – The Future of Australian Cities, co-authored by Adjunct Professor Richard Weller.

To quote the jury citation: 'This bold piece of research presents a confronting yet critically important discussion about the future of Australia’s settlement patterns.'

The jury were impressed with this thorough and influential body of work that puts Landscape Architecture at the centre of urban development. ' Made in Australia... proposes that landscape architects can speak to such large scale, long-term issues and add a much-needed perspective on strategic, long term urban design and planning. The project was conceived to encourage and inform broad public debate, and it has received national and international acclaim. Awarding Made in Australia... the 2014 WA Medal for Landscape Architecture celebrates a larger body of research, collaboration and participation in public debate by the authors and AUDRC.'

Alumnus Liam Mouritz now working at Ecoscape, received the Future Leaders: Graduate Award for various projects undertaken in his two years since graduating with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture.
The jury commended Liam 'for his dedication to and enthusiasm for the profession, evident in his work and his involvement in multiple entries in these awards. His previous success in the student award category coupled with this graduate award, mark an impressive early career that with proper support from the profession should further develop a future leader for WA.'

Recent UWA Landscape Architecture graduate Philippa Munckton also did the Faculty proud, picking up the Future Leaders: Student Award for her impressive honour’s studio work 'The Patchwork Code' which proposes 'how, through a strategic approach
 to design, a framework can be put in place for the future development
 of our grey-field suburbs that is predominantly influenced by an extensive understanding of the landscape.'

The jury’s citation stated: 'Philippa Munckton’s
 Patchwork Infrastructure Project demonstrates an innovative approach to the global issue of managing urban density. The Jury was particularly impressed with the research rigour and 
the application of the technical, social and aesthetic values that landscape architecture brings to the design of place.'

Finally Winthrop Professor Tony Blackwell’s design practice Blackwell & Associates picked up a Design Merit award for their work on the Geraldton Esplanade project. The jury commented that: 'In formal design terms this project is simply beautiful and well contextualised. The works scale, use of colour, line, form, symmetry and repetition combine
to create an exceptional place marker with iconic and memorable qualities whose aesthetic will contribute to the "Gero Vibe" for years to come.'

“This year’s winning projects reflect a diverse range of spaces, from inner city precincts to regional towns.” said Sara Padgett Kjaersgaard, President of AILA WA.

Overall, the Institute's recognition highlights the passion and dedication Faculty members and alumni have for their chosen profession of Landscape Architecture and reflects the local industry's willingness to invest in new graduates by providing significant opportunities for mentoring, professional development and employment.