EASTLINK RECOGNISED IN PREMIER'S DESIGN AWARDS
23/07/2010
EastLink has again been recognised for its world class urban design, architecture and landscaping at the 2010 Victorian Government’s Premier’s Design Awards.
The awards recognise and reward excellence in the use of design and promote the economic, environmental and social benefits of investing in good design. They also showcase the application of original, sustainable, innovative and groundbreaking design.
ConnectEast Managing Director, Dennis Cliche, said the Premier’s Design Award was fitting recognition for EastLink and particularly the vision of Wood Marsh Architecture and landscape architects, Tract.
“People love the look and feel of EastLink and much of this can be attributed to the exciting urban design and landscaping for the motorway,” Mr Cliche said. “In creating a memorable driving experience on EastLink, a new benchmark has been set for the delivery of large infrastructure projects that complement the communities they serve.”
The award judges said:
“EastLink demonstrates the enormous value of design and its transformative ability - effecting a paradigm change in how we view and encounter core infrastructure. The design sets a new benchmark for place making in civil projects, and draws attention to their potential to contribute to improved quality in every day life experience.
By engaging an exceptional team, and committing to delivery of design quality from project conception and throughout the delivery process, commissioning organisation ConnectEast and its design team have created a new point of reference for road design in Australia and beyond. While EastLink serves to reduce congestion on local roads and improve efficiencies in access to Melbourne’s major transport network, Wood/Marsh Architecture and landscape architects Tract have taken the road beyond mere function, delivering a journey that evokes pleasure, engages the visual senses, contributes to responsive and sustainable outcomes, and our cultural identity.
The project provides a memorable, large scale sculptural corridor for drivers; and a series of open places for the wider community to enjoy, including extensive walking and cycling paths, public parks and spaces, and fourteen large and small scale public artworks. The project integrates more than 3.5 million native and indigenous plants, supporting habitat trails and paths, restored creeks and waterways, and treats all road run-off through wetlands. It also demonstrates a real commitment by government to making high quality design a priority, with these aspects being important elements in the success of ConnectEast’s winning bid. The design has made EastLink a destination in its own right, and a showcase to the rest of the world about how "design thinking" can add value to the public realm. It has created an unexpected cultural icon from fundamental infrastructure, and extending Victoria’s reputation for innovation and design excellence.
Mr Cliche said that ConnectEast and its construction contractor, Thiess John Holland, were proud of the outcome achieved on the project, and paid tribute to the innovative work of Wood Marsh Architecture and Tract.
“Everybody knows that EastLink is not just another road. Not only is it delivering economic and lifestyle benefits for users, but it has also enriched the communities it serves through its distinctive look and feel,” Mr Cliche said.
“Everybody on the project is thrilled to have received a prestigious Premier’s Design Award in recognition of the considerable efforts invested in creating a memorable drive for people.”
Further information:
Premier's Design Awards - EastLink (347.1 Kb)
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