It was the night of nights as Australian creatives from a variety of disciplines filled Deakin Edge at Melbourne’s Federation Square to take part in The Design Files Design Awards ceremony.

Taking out the award for the Design Awards’ Landscape category was Clapham Landscapes for their Yarra Bend “Enchanted Garden”.

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Jamie Clapham receiving the award from judges Paul Bangay and Rick Eckersley | Photo: Amelia Stanwix

“The Design Files is such a great source of inspiration of beautiful Australian design across a vast array of mediums. To be recognised amongst so many talented designers is a great honour,” says Jamie Clapham. “To be awarded and judged by such pillars in the design community, of whom I have respected and admired my whole career is just the icing on the cake.”

An immersive entry with a sensory experience

“The Enchanted Garden” creates a welcoming entrance to the Yarra Bend development with its lush planting and water feature finished with Porphyry Filetti stone that follows the natural curve of the river.

“We wanted to create a watercourse that reflected the nature of the nearby Yarra River,” says Jamie. “Laying the elongated shape of the Filetti longwise along the watercourse enhanced the flowing movement of water, whilst the rough texture of the product broke the surface adding further effect. This was all enhanced by the myriad of colours that appear within the porphyry whilst wet.”

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Clapham Landscape Architects’ “Enchanted Garden” winner of TDF Design Awards

“Although relatively small, I feel The Enchanted Garden creates an immersive space of layered textures that react with the senses creating a much larger experience,” explains Jamie. “The sound of the running water, the movement of wind through the trees, the constantly changing light bouncing off the mirrored surfaces, and the Soundsystem throughout playing the local soundscape all contribute to this multifaceted sensory experience.”

Richly deserved concur TDF Design Awards judges

Design Awards’ judge Rick Eckersley says the entries were of a high standard with a broad range of styles. “The winning garden was as all good design is – simple, fluid and well proportioned,” he says. “I hope this is the beginning of a highly sort after accolade in garden design. Congratulations to Jamie Clapham and to all the finalists.”

Fellow judge Paul Bangay also was impressed with the winning garden stating fulfilled every goal for him. “I was thrilled to see Jamie Clapham win the TDF landscape award. I thought his design was dynamic and highly interesting. The use of water to carry you through the landscape was highly innovative and textural. Richly deserved,” says Paul.

“This is a space I want to be in,” says landscape award judge Georgina Reid. “It feels very immersive & resolved. A sophisticated & elegant response to site & client.”

See all the winners of The Design Files Design Awards here.