Victoria is home to some pretty impressive spaces – from spectacular buildings to beautifully manicured gardens. And according to a recent ceremony, our architecturally-designed outdoor spaces are the country’s best – with Victoria’s landscape architects claiming the spotlight at this year’s Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) National Awards. Announced on October 21, the awards celebrated 36 projects across 17 categories, with Victorian designers walking away with 14 national honours – more than any other state.
For context, the AILA National Awards showcase how landscapes shape the way we live, work and play. Beyond aesthetics, these projects restore ecosystems and provide spaces for community connection. Well-designed landscapes bring economic and social benefits while caring for Country – a principle evident in the Victorian projects that dominated this year’s awards.
Leading the pack was Yaluk Langa, an outdoor gathering space at the edge of the Birrarung (Yarra River) designed by Openwork in partnership with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and the Heide Museum of Modern Art. The project received an Award of Excellence for Small Projects, the highest accolade in its category. Nestled within a natural amphitheatre and framed by mature trees, Yaluk Langa allows people to gather, learn and connect with Country, while local materials and collaborative design ensure the project is both beautiful and respectful.
Victoria was the only state recognised in the Gardens category, with awards going to Hedge House by Emergent Studios (Bush Projects) and Green Our Roof, a project by Hassell Studio that demonstrates the potential of biodiverse rooftops, housed atop a government building on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD.
In the Health and Education Landscape category, REALMstudios earned an Award of Excellence for the Moondani Balluk Courtyard at Victoria University’s Footscray campus. Richmond High School received a Landscape Architecture Award for converting a concrete courtyard into a biodiverse and playful space, exemplifying how thoughtful design can enhance student wellbeing and sustainability.
Victoria also excelled in Civic Landscapes, with Hassell Studio’s Bridge Mall Redevelopment in Ballarat and Convic’s Prahran Skatepark and Basketball Court both receiving awards. The Bridge Mall project revitalised a historic city strip, while the Prahran Skatepark transformed an insular skate space into an open, inclusive hub.
From Yaluk Langa’s riverside serenity to a rooftop that celebrates biodiversity, Victoria’s award-winning designs prove that landscape architecture can be both beautiful and culturally (and environmentally) responsible. As the jury noted, these spaces invite Australians to gather, connect and belong – a vision of design that benefits everyone.
You can check out the full list of winners and learn more over here.
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