Blakely Wallace Associates, has been chosen as a finalist in the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA) Resene Pride of Place Landscape Awards 2010 for the Queenstown Airport landscape development and for Routeburn Track visitor development.
"I was quite surprised by our nominations, as it is some solid competition we are up against. Being chosen as a finalist for such a major national award is a great sign of recognition," Philip Blakely, landscape architect and partner of the Arrowtown-based Blakely Wallace Associates, said.
The award had a record total of 127 entries this year for the biennial award, after it attracted less than a hundred entries in 2008, and only just over 50 entries in 2006.
A panel of 10 judges has selected 14 finalists in the planning category, 32 finalists in the design category, plus 10 finalists in the student category.
Australian judge Niall Simpson said he had been impressed with the strength and depth of landscape architecture in New Zealand.
"When travelling around the country judging the entries last month, I saw real designer connection with the site. I was also pleased to see good water-sensitive urban design, which seems to be second nature in New Zealand - something Australian designers can struggle with. New Zealand landscape architects can really hold their own against their international counterparts," Mr Simpson said.
Both of the entries from Blakely Wallace Associates are finalists in the design category, with the airport project in the commercial-industrial-institutional section, and the Routeburn entry in the rural-park-recreational section.
The brief for the Routeburn project called for both project management, co-ordination and landscape architecture for the new visitor facility at the Glenorchy end of the track. As the facility is located within the Mount Aspiring National Park, the design had to fit the sensitive national park setting, while retaining the back-country character of the place.
With Michael Wyatt Architect Ltd designing the shelter building, Blakely Wallace's involvements included partner Mary Wallace as project manager for the concept development, and Philip Blakely as landscape architect for all stages of the project. Stephen Riddle and Anna O'Sullivan from the same company provided technical support.
For the airport project the brief was to provide an appropriate entrance or gateway to Queenstown and the surrounding districts.
Mr Blakely said the design had to complement the airport's unique and spectacular natural setting, while meeting the functional requirements of the airport.
The planning and design of this project included the terminal forecourt, the car park layout, pedestrian flow and landscaping.
The winners will be announced at an award ceremony at the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, in Wellington on April 16, as part of this year's NZILA conference.
