SALI AWARDS 2009
In 2008 a total of 69 projects were judged on the national judging round; this year this has increased to 73. I believe that the regional judging was consistent over all three regions and the percentage decrease in Gold and Silver awards for 2009 should not necessarily be seen as a decrease in the quality of landscape work, but rather as an increase in the standards that the judges apply when evaluating a project.
I would like to give some specific and then general feedback to SALI members with regard to this year’s judging.
1. Comments of this year's results
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The quality of work in all the categories
were of a very high standard with the result that, apart from being a very
pleasant experience to visit those projects, it was also very difficult to
decide on a winner for each category and even more difficult to award the SALI
National Shield.
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Just how difficult it was will become clear
when I discuss the results in general terms (for the awards themselves I’m
afraid you will still have to wait a while)
- In the category Landscape Construction with In-house
Design, there were 19 projects that went through to the second round judging.
Of these 6 were awarded Gold, 11 Silver and 2 Bronze. There was a difference of only 0.8% between the top 4 in this Category.
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In the category Landscape Construction with In-house Design, there were 30 (19 last year) projects that went through to the second round judging or were judged on national level only. Of these 10 were awarded Gold, 13 Silver and 7 Bronze or merit. There was a difference of only 1% between
the top 3 in this Category.
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In the category for Landscape Construction with Design by Others, there were 16 (31 in 2008) 2nd Round entries. Of these, 10 have been awarded Gold, 5 Silver and 1 Merit. Again the percentage difference of the top 4 entries was quite small.
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Unlike 2008 when we had none, there were two entries in the Environmental Landscape Work category, but there were many projects in other categories that had a very strong environmental or ecological focus and bias. I am glad to see this trend in the work of SALI members.
- In the Landscape & Turf Maintenance Category, the 12 2nd round entries are the same as for 2008. 5 entries have been awarded Gold, 3 Silver and 4 Bronze. The quality of the landscape maintenance has been confirmed by the high marks given by all the judges concerned in both rounds of judging.
- As water-wise landscaping becomes more of a non-negotiable requirement than an imposition by the landscaper or the landscape architect on the client, I am glad to report that we have seen projects this year that used the water-wise approach and principles in very creative and sustainable ways and I would venture to say that water-wise landscaping projects are becoming the norm in stead of the exception.
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Complete the Entry Form as comprehensively as possible;
you are only disadvantaging yourself if the judges have to search for project information.
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In the category for Specialised Landscape Construction, we have seen a wide and interesting scope of projects, ranging from very small exclusive roof gardens to a large metro park constructed in 24 hours.
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The two entries in the Specialised Turf construction were both very interesting and a pleasure to evaluate.
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2. Some general observations from this year’s judging:
I am not going to repeat last year’s comments on how to prepare your entry or when and what to submit, but rather share with you some trends and opportunities that I believe are pertinent to a landscape contractor in this day and age:
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The indigenous planting debate
The paradigm shift has taken place. It is no longer an issue. I believe that growers, designers and specifiers, as well as clients have by now realized and accepted the advantages of using indigenous and often endemic planting in their projects. The variety of available species to successfully replace the staid and often inappropriate exotic species makes going indigenous so much easier than say 10 years ago.
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The water wise debate
This goes hand in hand with the indigenous planting issue.
Very few large and sophisticated client bodies can afford
to be seen to be wasteful water users on their projects.
Even on a smaller domestic scale, the advantages of a water
wise landscaping approach are being felt by clients and I find
that water wise has even become fashionable in some quarters.
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New opportunities
For many years landscape design and construction by professionals
were perceived by the public to be the reserve of the rich.
Low budget Expanded Public Works landscaping programmes, or
Local Council landscaping initiatives that benefit a much broader
population are on the increase. This year we have seen some very
good projects in this regard submitted by SALI members.
I would suggest to SALI members that such projects, although
sometimes not seen to be state of the art, exciting work, represents
a new opportunity that they somehow could and should involve themselves with.
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Environmentally responsive design and construction
The terms “environmentally responsive”, “ecologically sustainable” and similar
wording are being heard ad nauseum these days. This is not to say that they are
unimportant, of course they are and following those principles is really non-negotiable.
What does however become an issue is the consequent application of these principles.
How do you motivate the use of hardwood decking sourced from a rain-forest in Malaysia?
Or hard landscaping elements imported from the other side of the globe? Or the use of virgin
materials when similar quality recycled material is available locally. I would go so far as to
say that in 90% of cases a locally sourced alternative material or product is available, and
when it is not, the skills exist for such products to be manufactured or sourced locally.
It often just requires of the designer or specifier to think creatively and do some asking around.
3. Conclusion
Of the 73 projects that were judged this year, which, as I said earlier,
is 4 more than in 2008, 41% were awarded Gold (47% in 2008), 37% Silver
(55% in 2008) and 22% Bronze or Merit. (8% in 2008)
The types of projects were as follows:
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Single residential 43% (38% in 2008)
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Housing estates 12% (16% in 2008)
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Golf courses and resorts 11% (22% in 2008)
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Industrial 1% (26% in 2008)
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Commercial 33% (18% in 2008)
Like in 2008, we have seen some good projects from the new and relatively
young SALI members and we hope that this will encourage other newly established
landscapers to also join SALI.
In conclusion it is perhaps fitting to be reminded of the objective of the SALI Awards,
which is to ensure, promote and exhibit the high standard of landscaping expected from SALI members.
As National Judge I would like to thank all those SALI members who submitted their work for evaluation and critique, and to all those who may or may not have won Gold Awards, keep up the good work and try again.
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