The AILA has awarded the country’s best landscapes during its annual Festival of Landscape Architecture. The National Jury presented 36 awards to projects spanning 17 categories.

“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,” says AILA National Jury Chair, Kate Luckraft.

In New South Wales, the Living Lab Northern Rivers (LLNR) project won an Award of Excellence (the highest honour for Community Contribution) – and 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. The highly collaborative effort involved Traditional Custodians, scientists, agencies and volunteers, empowering Indigenous rangers and fostering strong partnerships.

The Jury comments: “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.”

Meanwhile, two Victorian designs were declared the nation’s best gardens. Green Our Roof, by Hassell Studio and Hedge and Arbour House by Emergent Studios (Bush Projects) each received a Landscape Architecture Award. In Playspaces, the Melton Botanic Garden Nature Playspace by Melton City Council received a Landscape Architecture Award (VIC project).

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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. It 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.” In Research, Policy and Communications, Nature Co-benefits in Practice by Tract received a Landscape Architecture Award (NSW project).

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
aila.org.au

Photography
Brett Boardman
Rory Gardiner
Elise Derwin
Aaron Walker
Miles Noel
Peter Bennetts