It’s no secret our brand new park is a hit with the locals, and with our first residents moving in, we couldn’t be happier to see families enjoying the space as they settle into the Everleigh community.

And, it is not just residents taking notice ... our landscape architect, Form Landscape Architects, recently took top honours in the Parks and Open Space category at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Landscape Awards for their work designing our beautiful Everleigh parkland!

We sat down with Matt Franzmann, Director of Form Landscape Architects, tochat about what makes the first stage of Everleigh Park a winner and what’s in store for future stages.

What are the main features of Everleigh Park that made it a winner for the AILA award?

When designing Everleigh’s first stage of parkland, we opted for elegant planning of open flowing spaces and linear pathways, which best utilise the site and integrate as much natural greenery as possible.

Throughout the design of Everleigh Park, we wanted to ensure there was a continuing thread of unique sculptural elements that would subtly complement the surrounding landform.

These factors, plus the composition of local materials and finishes, defined the high degree of quality and made Everleigh Park stand-out in terms of landscape design.

Can you give us insight into what is in store for future stages of parkland at Everleigh?

The first stage is really just a small taste of what is to come! We are designing a continuing recreational network of engaging open space parkland and natural landscape that will offer a rich experience for the local community to enjoy for many years to come.

Our goal is that exciting recreational opportunities will be presented for all interests, age groups and abilities.

From expansive sporting fields, multi-layered playgrounds, wetlands and forest walks, there will genuinely be something within this network for all.

What makes a park successful and what attributes does it have to endure long into the future?

You can have the most incredibly designed park but at the end of the day it is the people and the community that makes a park successful.

As the community grows and evolves, and residents embrace the space as their own – exercising, gathering, playing and relaxing, the park and open space network will become an integral part of their lifestyle.

Our key focus for the Everleigh project is elegant but simple design, combined with robust materials that will stand the test of time.

We utilised a sustainable approach, including the use of native plant species and locally retrieved boulders and soils, and by creating a careful composition of these elements, we feel we have created a park space that will reinforce its durability long into the future.

How does the Form team feel about winning the AILA award?

While Form Landscape Architects has won awards for many of its projects, this is our first AILA win, so it is certainly close to our hearts.

It is even better that is has been delivered for a client like Mirvac, who have been loyal and consistent supporters of our work and company for several years.

We are so excited and proud of the outcome of the first stage of Everleigh parkland and feel this is the beginning of a long list of awards for this project, now and into the future.