A shopping centre in the heart of Jimboomba, which utilises clever and practical design, has scooped a double at the Logan Urban Design Awards (LUDA).
A record number of entries were received for the awards, which recognise the best in urban design that help create innovative and inclusive social environments.
Jimboomba Central, designed by Interlandi Mantesso Architects, was named the 2020 LUDA Overall Winner after also collecting the Architecture Award. The Cusack Lane structure was described by judges as a ‘clever design’ that was likely to be a reference project for similar future retail projects across the City.
The project was commended for its spatial sophistication, choice of materials and generous landscaping. Jimboomba Central was praised for its appealing streetscapes and internal court space which together created a ‘dynamic centre’.
Other winners were:
- Master Planning Award: Everleigh
- Landscape Architecture and Urban Infrastructure Award: Brookhaven – Discovery Park
- Businesses and Events Award: Beenleigh Town Square Night Markets (Goodwill Projects)
The judging panel included Richard Coulson (Cox Architecture), Nicholas Marshall (The Urban Developer) and Nathalie Ward (Lat27). Planning Chair, Deputy Mayor Jon Raven, said the high standard of entries was inspiring.
“This year’s winners have set a new benchmark for excellent urban design as we continue to see unprecedented growth in the commercial sector across the city,” Cr Raven said.
“It is great to see Jimboomba Central named as Overall Winner and shows why Council has allocated $5 million in funding to continue to develop the Jimboomba City Centre into a popular and vibrant destination,” he said.
“The quality of entries across all categories demonstrates that City not only embraces practical development, we also embrace projects that are visually appealing and suited to our landscapes and environment.”
The Logan Urban Design Awards are supported by gold sponsor, EPOCA Constructions and silver sponsor, Colin Biggers & Paisley Lawyers.
The full list of 2020 LUDA award winners:
Logan Urban Design Award (overall award)
Winner: Jimboomba Central
Judge’s comments: “Jimboomba Central’s commitment to urban design led considerations in all aspects of its resolution has elevated it to the overall winner in this year’s awards. The dominance of car focussed solutions in this project type typically lead to underwhelming streetscapes and poor public amenity. This project subverts the dominant solution to provide a strong identity for the project and the wider precinct and it is likely to be a reference project for similar future retail projects in the City. The solution is clever in design, sophisticated in spatial terms and its choice of materials and generous in its inclusion of landscaping. We congratulate the developers, design and construction teams in realising this project.”
Master Planning Award
Winner: Everleigh
Judge’s comments: “This project establishes a strong place identity from the point of entry, through high-quality design and investment in the landscape of the arrival experience. Sculptural elements and high-quality planting create a distinctive identity for the community. A well-defined hierarchy of pedestrian-friendly streets assists with wayfinding through the master plan, and open space is well placed to achieve maximum impact as part of the main circulation route. The master plan includes a variety of spaces that are programmable as part of the community activation overlay, enhancing a sense of community and supporting a healthy outdoor lifestyle. The project’s contribution to and integration with the existing conservation parklands is commendable. As the project matures over time it will be good to see how the qualities of the surrounding natural landscape are embraced within the project as part of its aspiration to value and protect the natural environment.”
Architecture Award
Winner: Jimboomba Central
Judge’s comments: “The Jimboomba Central project provided a strong response to all criteria in this category. The project is a well-considered piece of architecture that sets a high bar for district precinct shopping centres within the City of Logan. Retention of significant street-facing landscape and development of activated edges to both the street and internal court space create a dynamic centre. Breaks between tenancies provide further connection with large dynamic parasol roofs providing shade, shelter and identity. Clever use of the falls across the site accommodate equitable access solutions seamlessly with circulation strategies. Use of quality materials and a richness of detailing distinguishes the project. The continuing curation of tenancies is likely to lead to a strong attractor for the wider community.”
Commended: V Resource – Recycling Facility
Landscape Architecture and Urban Infrastructure Award
Winner: Brookhaven – Discovery Park
Judge’s comments: “This is an exemplary design, demonstrating the value of preserving existing site qualities. Integrating with the creek corridor, the existing mature trees have been carefully designed into the space, creating a sense of place, shade from day one and an enhanced environmental outcome. The spatial arrangements have been woven into the existing topography to achieve a sense of separation from the broader development and a series of distinct but interrelated spaces allowing for multiple uses and users, while also maintaining good visibility between spaces to ensure surveillance of children and a sense of personal safety. The play experience is enhanced by the way it uses the different levels and weaves through the landscape creating a sense of adventure and discovery. The materials palette is high quality, durable and respectful of the site materiality, and the native planting selection sits beautifully into the natural setting and is already encouraging birds back into the area. This park demonstrates the value of well-designed green space as a focus for community particularly in our post-COVID environment.”
Commended: Pebble Creek Parklands
Businesses and Events Award
Winner: Beenleigh Town Square Night Markets (Goodwill Projects)
Judge’s comments: “The Beenleigh Town Square Night Markets present a unique offering as a business itself that facilitates community interaction and trade with local business, artisans and food operators. The applicant demonstrated a high level of business acumen and market research activating underutilised public space and extending hours of trade. This contribution to the night-time economy of Beenleigh has bolstered trade to the surrounding business by increasing foot traffic in the area. The benefit of these markets running bi-weekly provides the community and small business an ongoing social and economic benefit.”
Commended: Extraction Artisan Coffee Deck; Spirits of the Red Sand & NAIDOC Wild Foods & Cultural Festival