2022 Jury Chair Report

We acknowledge and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of Australia as the traditional custodians of our lands, waters and seas. We recognize their ability to care for Country and their deep spiritual connection with Country. We honour Elders past and present whose knowledge and wisdom ensure the continuation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. (Constitution of the AILA, 2019)

Ican recommend being on an awards jury. It is the best form of continuing professional development because you learn a great deal about your own and other jury members’ skills and biases, but you also get to review and analyze the thinking and leadership behind the design and delivery process of awe-inspiring landscape architecture. This excites me and reinvigorates my own work as a landscape architect – I subsequently strive to do better to emulate award-winning entries. In addition, when I see a wonderful project, I feel like a supporter of a football team – I start barracking for it. And when the jury is in alignment and an award is granted, I feel like we have all won as a profession! While the jury process can be a bit gruelling, it’s also very rewarding.

Angus Bruce, Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Bec Connelly, Alex Felson, Jefa Greenaway, Gay Williamson and I had the great privilege of reviewing 148 entries from practices across Australia, submitted in 17 categories. The International, Tourism, Parks and Open Space, Play Spaces, and Research, Policy and Communications categories were of particularly high quality this year, reflecting the breadth and diversity of our work in Australia and overseas. As a new category, Climate Positive Design was challenging but vital to assess. We have much to learn and share as we practise designing in ways that help our planet adapt to and mitigate climate change.

It was fulfilling to see the number of entries with meaningful First Nations involvement embedded into the design process; without question, this has become part of our culture and practice as a profession, and an essential component of award-winning work. The beauty and poignancy of one of the Cultural Heritage entries both moved me to tears and made me feel incredibly proud to be in the landscape architectural profession in Australia at this time. I’ll let readers ponder which project that was!

On behalf of the jury, thank you to all the entrant practices for the privilege of reviewing your wonderful work. – Shaun Walsh, AILA National Jury Chair

If you are interested in participating as a jury member for the 2023 Landscape Architecture Awards at a chapter or national level, please email events@aila.org.au.