Urban Initiatives Pty Ltd is one of Victoria’s most established and respected specialist landscape architecture and urban design practices. Based in central Melbourne, we service clients throughout Victoria and Tasmania. Urban Initiatives works for a wide range of private and government clients on a mix of built projects, policy and planning studies.
AILA AWARDS 2011
Urban Initiatives is pleased to announce receipt of two AILA Tasmania Awards in the categories of Design in Landscape Architecture and Water Sensitive Urban Design at this years’ AILA Tasmania Awards held on Thursday, 17 November 2011. The awards are a celebration of excellence in Tasmanian landscape architecture.
AILA Tasmania Water Sensitive Urban Design Award Derwent Estuary Water Sensitive Design
Aimed at improving the quality of the Derwent Estuary ecosystem through the application of water sensitive urban design techniques, the pilot program was commended by the judges for its design methodology and analytical approach.
The pilot project aimed to select sites for the retrofitting and establishment of WSUD in a few locations around the Derwent estuary. Four sites were nominated by the Derwent Estuary Program with a view of undertaking WSUD design and works.
AILA Tasmania Award for Design in Landscape Architecture University Central Mall
The brief for this project required the landscape architect – using sustainability as the driving design philosophy – to fashion a central hub or “University Heartland” for student activity and amenity from a series of underutilised courtyards and disjointed external spaces at the UTAS Sandy Bay Campus, Hobart. The final design solution has delivered on those requirements in spades. By deploying an almost ‘invisible hand’ approach to the design, grand gestures have been avoided in favour of allowing the strengths and characteristics of the design to emerge gradually over time, as users become familiar with the place.