Riverside wins 2018 National Landscape Architecture Award
Published on 12 October 2018
Rockhampton’s Riverside has taken out an award at the prestigious 2018 AILA Landscape Architecture Awards in the Parks and Open Space category!
The Landscape Architecture Award was presented to the designers of the Riverside, Urbis, on Thursday night at the AILA National Conference held on the Gold Coast, just days after the design firm also won the state award for the Riverside lighting in the WE-EF After Dark competition.
The National award for the WE-EF After Dark competition, of which the Riverside is now a contender, will be announced on Saturday afternoon during the AILA President’s closing address.
Acting Mayor Councillor Cherie Rutherford said since the Riverside opened seven months ago, life, vibrancy and culture has been reignited in the city.
“As Mayor Strelow always explains, the design brief given to Urbis were just a few simple words – urban, playful, elegant, creative, sustainable and smart,” Cr Rutherford said.
“We placed our confidence in Glen Power and his design team to deliver something incredible for our community, and from the very first concept drawing, his vision captured and exceeded what we wanted to achieve in terms of both quality and design.
“The Riverside has delivered so much more than just a beautiful space to be admired for generations to come - it has restored pride in our city, it has encouraged new business and it has become a turning point for our city.”
Glen Power, landscape architect and Director of Urbis, said the Riverside Redevelopment had been a personal career highlight and was proud to see the project recognised at a national level.
“We were given the opportunity to create something so unique for the Rockhampton community and to really change the perspective of locals and visitors by unlocking the true potential of the city,” Mr Power said.
“The challenge, and possibly the most exciting part, was creating a sophisticated and contemporary design that was sympathetic to the heritage buildings. We had the bones of incredible architecture lining Quay Street one side and an almost blank canvas on the other.
“We understood that this was a once in a generation project for Rockhampton, and with the community and Council’s input, every detail had a purpose behind it and gave consideration to the past, present and future.
“I am extremely proud of what we, and all contractors, have been able to deliver. Above all, seeing the community embrace the final masterpiece makes this a very rewarding experience.”