Bridge Mall design takes top honour

THE Bridge Mall redevelopment has been recognised at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Vic Awards taking out the top civic landscape honour, the Award of Excellence.

The project also won a Regional Achievement Award, announced in Melbourne last Thursday.

The $23 million redevelopment was completed earlier this year and the lead consultant for the project was Hassell Studio.

“Hassell Studio who designed the space worked really closely with a range of stakeholders,” Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Victorian Chapter chair Bridget Keane said.

“I think it’s really important to acknowledge the contribution of the Indigenous community as well as other communities in Ballarat and the contributions they’ve made to this space.”

Works included a landscaped entry, a portal to view the Yarrowee, reflections of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners’ history and culture, 20 short term car parks, smart lighting, a play space, bollards, and a shared zone with a 10-kilometre per hour speed limit.

Ms Keane said the project is an example of how design can create social, environmental and economic renewal.

“What the jury was really impressed with in terms of the Bridge Mall redevelopment was how it brought together lots of different cultural stories across time,” she said.

“From the Indigenous engagement to reusing materials from the saleyards and negotiating those stories through the space.

“At the same time really working through ideas of climate resilience so making the space climate diverse, working to mitigate heat island effects, and making a space that people can play, meet and gather in across the year.”

All winners of an excellence award now proceed to the National Landscape Architecture Awards which will be announced in October in Hobart.

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects is the peak body for landscape architecture in Australia.