Design King William wins national landscaping award
Published on 29 October 2021
Mayor of Unley Michael Hewitson said he was proud of this project’s achievements in previous local awards programs, and pleased that Design King William had been recognised on a national stage.
‘We are so pleased that, from a shortlist of ten high-quality projects from across Australia, Design King William achieved the highest honour, the Urban Design Award for Excellence.’
‘This award reflects the efforts of its many contributors and project partners to go beyond expectations. It also emphasises the importance of collaboration across Council, as well as the support of the Elected Members and our local community, which helped realise the quality of the outcomes recognised in the award’.
AILA’s judging panel highlighted the quality of finalists across 16 categories, presenting a total of 46 awards - 14 Excellence Awards, 28 Landscape Architecture Awards and 4 National Regional Achievement Awards. The City of Unley commends lead urban landscape design company Outerspace Landscape Architects, and co-contributors FMG Engineering (Civil and Stormwater), GTA Consultants (Traffic Engineering), Trento Fuller (DDA Compliance), BCA Engineering (Lighting and Electrical) and Monom (Design and Construction). The BMD Group as Civil Construction Lead were co-recipients of the award and acknowledged specialist consultants SAGE (Smart Technology), Jam Factory (Street Furniture), Rod Hook (Construction Adviser) and Agonis Group (Contract Management).
Mayor Hewitson said that successful engagement with community members, traders associations and individual business owners had been a vital component in the street’s transformation. ‘This project was achieved with significant consultation with the local community, and I’d like to thank our partners in this area, which included PR company Communikate and Kath Moore and Associates, who both assisted with stakeholder engagement and marketing.'
'Then there was the addition of the three major artworks which Council commissioned in the Tectonic series, installed along this part of King William Road, and I would like to thank the three artists, Gregg Mitchell, Quentin Gore and Amy Joy Watson, for their creative vision that adds an extra dimension to the entire precinct’ the Mayor said.
The upgrade of King William Road was completed in December 2019, delivering a more active, accessible streetscape. The urban design project transformed the street with a flexible design to meet future needs and has provided a greener main thoroughfare with enhanced spaces aimed at encouraging people to linger, stay, and play. The judges’ comments stated: ‘In terms of its aim of creating a more beautiful street, Design King William has undoubtedly succeeded. With a significant amount of new street trees and plantings, enhanced pedestrian safety and comfort outcomes, technical innovations and improved functionality, King William Road now shines as a main street.’
‘In awarding this project, the jury acknowledges the collaborative process which has thoughtfully responded to the interests and ideas of stakeholders and the local community. Design King William stands out as inspiring example of civic design and a great community achievement by all involved.’
Mayor Hewitson added: ‘I wholeheartedly agree with the judges’ assessments and couldn’t be happier with the project outcome.
We listened to our community, who voiced their desire for three priorities – for Council to deliver a more beautiful street, a more active street and a more accessible street, and the King William Road refurbishment has achieved all of those goals and more’.