In the blur and turmoil of 2024, it is worth reminding ourselves of those occasions that help to shine a light on excellence and sources of inspiration.
Having just emerged from the latest epic edition of the Olympics cycle, it was interesting to note from 1912 to 1948, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) handed out medals across five creative arts categories including architecture, painting, sculpture, literature and music. You can read more about this over at Landscape Architecture Aotearoa. We can certainly all aspire to the Olympics motto, as modified in 2021: “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together”.
It could be argued that receiving the recognition bestowed at occasions like awards ceremonies is a near equivalent to mounting a podium. Together with UDF Committee member Anthony Vile, who has both researched and published previously on the culture of awards and design competitions as a means of raising the bar, we have compiled a list of some of the prominent awards presented during 2024 below.
(If you can point us to more Awards and Award winners, please do by sending an email to media@urbandesignforum.org.nz for future blog posts).
MAY 2024 – Civic and Urban Design Awards, NZILA
This Award category was featured in the 2024 NZILA Awards Programme featured at the Firth NZILA Tuia Pito Ora Wānanga in May.
Category winner: Putahi Whakatetonga South Frame (photo above, courtesy of Jasmax)
Landscape Architects – Jasmax in association with landlab; Mana whenua – Matapopore on behalf of Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga; Client – Rau Paenga (formerly Ōtākaro); Engineering lead – AECOM; Engineering support – Aurecon. Citation: Delivered through an inclusive and collaborative process including Mana Whenua, Crown, City and designers, Putahi Whakatetonga South Frame evolves out of a simple yet well considered public realm concept based on the provision of a mid block greenway ‘Te Ara Pū Hā’, anchored by ‘yards’ and connected by ‘laneways’. Supported by the application of a clear consistent design language, the concept has allowed the public realm to support adjacent development and be delivered coherently over multiple city blocks and over multiple stages whilst retaining opportunity for space specific design narratives to be integrated. Collectively these spaces and connections reveal past history, re establish connections to the cultural landscape and provide for an urban community to engage with each other and place.
Award of Excellence: Invercargill City Streets Stage 01 – Esk and Don Streets
Isthmus with Invercargill City Council and Waihōpai Rūnaka. With support from Bonisch, Paetoi, James York, TBIG and WT Partnership. Constructed by Downer. Citation: This high-quality considered urban streetscape shone bright. Isthmus, working closely with Invercargill City Council and Waihōpai Rūnaka, have produced beautifully landscaped spaces that are evident of a compelling design story – a clear visceral response to the uniqueness that makes Invercargill. In addition to the well-considered design, the judging panel were impressed with the excellence in the detailing; from the bespoke timber furnishings and the rich planting palettes, through to the laser-cut cloaked pou, the clever paving patterning, and the intricate bronze species scattered throughout. This striking design is a joy to experience, with a strong design language that is reflective and responsive to both the natural environment and the surrounding built and developing civic frame.
Award of Excellence: Myers Park
Boffa Miskell Limited and Auckland Council. Citation: The team at Boffa Miskell were presented a highly challenging site, and the judges commend the hard work and dedication which is evident in the final product at Myers Park. Graham Tipene’s Waimahara installation and the use of a soundscape environment, allows for a dynamic and dramatic experience. This is offset by the clever and considered use of materials, sizes, level changes and edge details through a typically difficult underpass space. The history of the stream (Te Waihorotiu) and the stories of Horotiu are embedded in and reflected throughout the design. Additionally, the use of timber detailing and the rich planting story, echoes the streamside environment of the past and displays a dedicated sustainability story.
APRIL 2024 – Ngā Aho Recognized as RAIC International Prize Recipient
This prestigious and highly deserved award was announced in April and presented at the 2024 RAIC Conference on Architecture, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in May.
MARCH 2024 – Winners of the 2024 Australian Urban Design Awards
These awards are co-convened by the Australian Institute of Architects, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) and the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). Also announced at the awards ceremony was a new body, the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Urban Design. The group is led by the three professional institutes and aims to create a multipartisan forum for collaboration among parliamentarians and relevant stakeholders, raise awareness of the importance of good urban design, engage with stakeholders to ensure a holistic approach to urban development and communicate the critical role of good urban design in shaping the nation’s identity.
Built projects – City and Regional Scale
Award – George Street, Sydney – City of Sydney
Commendation – Walyalup Civic Centre – KHA
Built projects – Local and Neighbourhood Scale
Award – Transforming Southbank Boulevard – City of Melbourne with TCL and Mike Hewson
Commendations
Er Pavilion – Vittino Ashe in collaboration with Brendan Moore, Melissa Cameron and Syrinx
Lilydale and Mooroolbark Stations – BKK Architects and Kyriacou Architects and Jacobs and Aspect Studios
Leadership, Advocacy and Research – City and Regional Scale
Award The Greenline Project – City of Melbourne with Aspect Studios x TC
Commendations
Macquarie Park Innovation Precinct – Stage 1 – AJC Architects and Tract Consultants
Value Assessment System for Place (VASP) – Transport for NSW Urban Design (Public Transport and Precincts)
Leadership, Advocacy and Research – Local and Neighbourhood Scale
Award Quantifying quality – SJB and University of Technology Sydney
Commendations
Height of building and FSR alignment study – Hill Thalis Architecture and Urban Projects, Olsson Architecture Urban Projects, and City of Sydney Strategic Planning
Gurner Avenue Austral – E8urban
Should Aotearoa New Zealand have more awards?
Australia also boasts awards such as Ministers’ Awards for Urban Design, as seen for instance in Queensland as a way to both highlight both the critical role of good urban design and how collaborative relationships can lead to the successful development of the built environment. The latest winner in Queensland was the Heritage Lanes project in Brisbane. This project has also been shortlisted for the 11th jubilee edition of the International High-Rise Award, which includes 31 projects nominated over 14 countries.
The Paris Olympics made many kinds of impact, including putting a range of new events into play. If you could create *new* categories for urban design awards what would they be?
Share your thoughts or ideas with the UDF by email to media@urbandesignforum.org.nz
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