THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY has picked up a “commendation” at the Landscape Institute awards in London today.
Competing with 43 projects from the UK, Ireland and elsewhere, the Wild Atlantic Way effectively came second in the Adding Value Through Landscape category for its branding and Interpretation scheme.
The Sidcup High Street revival programme won the “Adding Value through Landscape Award”, but the Wild Atlantic Way was along with 16 other projects in other categories, highly commended.
Another Irish project, by Edinburgh landscape architect Callum Waston – ‘A systemic examination of vacant space access in Dublin’ – was also commended.
The study defined measures “by which members of the public may access vacant space within the city of Dublin, address the role of the landscape architect within top-down urban policy”.
Creative
Regarding the Wild Atlantic Way, Belfast landscape architects the Paul Hogarth Company received the commendation for “the assessment of over 2,500km of West Ireland coastline and subsequent redevelopment of 68 discovery points along the route”.
The company was behind the branding and interpretative scheme along the route.
“This is great recognition for the Wild Atlantic Way and caps a very busy tourism season along the route,” said Fiona Monaghan of Fáilte Ireland.
“The creative yet practical signage system developed for the Wild Atlantic Way managed to both subtly fit into the landscapes it sought to promote yet also gave the brand a distinctive look and feel.
“Of course the ultimate award for the route will be sustained growth in visitors and revenue over the next few years – something which we are very confident our west coast innovation will deliver,” she added.
Monaghan added that the award will give the Wild Atlantic Way great exposure in London, due to it being showcased in the Landscape Institute’s exhibition until the end of the year.
Discovery points
Fáilte Ireland said the rationale behind the branding and interpretation of the Wild Atlantic Way is to encouarge visitors along the coastal route to each ‘discovery point’, and encourage “dwell time” by introducing tourists to the stories and customs of the local area.
All of the shortlisted projects, including the Wild Atlantic Way, form part of an exhibition which is currently on show in the Building Centre in London and will run until 23 December 2016.
The Landscape Institute (LI) is the chartered body for the landscape profession, with the aim of protecting, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for the public benefit.
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