The Greville Street and Grattan Gardens streetscape and park improvement project has won the Civic Design category at the 2023 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Awards (AILA).
It's been nearly six years since the 2018 unveiling of the Greville Street and Grattan Gardens improvement works and the second time the project has taken out an AILA award.
Originally recognised at the 2019 AILA Awards for the striking catenary feature lighting at the Greville Street entrance to Grattan Gardens, this time it was its positive impact on the local area that impressed the judges.
Projects in the Civic Design category are constructed urban landscape projects that are in the public realm and capture and contribute to the culture and amenity of the urban environment around them.
To be considered, projects must demonstrate how the landscape architecture has contributed to the overall outcomes - something the Greville Street works has certainly done.
Stonnington's Acting Director of Infrastructure and Environment, Simon Holloway, was thrilled to hear about the award.
"When delivered back in 2018, the improvement works injected new life into Greville Street with the cobblestoned pavement, boldly coloured street furniture, the artistic lighting and lots of greenery.
"Six years on, the trees have thrived, the landscaping has come into its own and the street has never looked better.
"It just goes to show good design and clever landscaping never gets old and, in fact, it only gets better with age," he said.
"It's very satisfying to see the hard work of our staff recognised by the peak body for landscape architects in Australia, and I congratulate them."
Equally excited was Georgina Hagger, Coordinator Landscape Projects, who, on hearing the news enthused, "I'm very chuffed, it's a great transformation of the street and new park".
Catherine Rush from Rush Wright Associates, the landscape architects for the project, was also delighted to see it get the recognition it deserves.
"When projects such as this are first finished they can look a little stark, but looking at it now you can really appreciate how the maturing trees and well-established plants are making a real impact on the street environment and its appeal," Catherine said.
Photos courtesy John Gollings
Photos courtesy of MIchael Wright
