SEGD Global Design Awards: Spotlight on Placemaking
Placemaking projects contribute to the creation of shared spaces and strengthen connections between people and place through graphic, text or media elements. They provide a strong sense of “you are here” by differentiating a place or space from others that is not necessarily tied to a brand or brand story. Placemaking capitalizes on a community’s assets, inspiration, and potential, with the intention of creating spaces that promote people’s well-being, happiness, and shared values.
As the FINAL deadline for the 2024 SEGD Global Design Awards quickly approaches, we want to take a moment to highlight a few of the incredible projects that received a 2023 SEGD Global Design Award in the Placemaking category.
2023 Winning Placemaking Projects
Last year, the 2023 SEGD Global Design Award for Best of Show went to the placemaking project Te Wānanga, created by Isthmus Group in partnership with Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Kaitiaki Working Group representatives and endorsed Kahui Kaiarataki members. Te Wānanga is a new public space extending over the harbor on Auckland’s coastal edge. The built outcome offers a constructed tidal shelf for human and coastal ecologies informed by Matauranga Māori, at the meeting point of city and harbor, whenua and moana. Te Wānanga was constructed using wharf construction techniques, and was opened to the public with a moving dawn ceremony led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
Another extraordinary placemaking project was the 2023 Honor Award-winning Signage and Experiential Graphic of Shenzhen’s Eastern Seawall Reconstruction by Updesign. Designed to resurrect an existing seawall and waterfront, this project effectively enhances graphics and wayfinding elements to create a unique place for visitors to connect with the water.
2023 Merit Award winner Refreshed – A Coffee Bar offers a reinvigorating coffee bar and workspace for office workers. Media-Objectives and Valerio Dewalt Train collaborated to bring this vision of a balanced workplace to life.
With the 2023 Merit Award-winning project Borough Yards, f.r.a. designed a placemaking system for a new dining, shopping, and culture destination in the heart of London’s Southwark. In addition to providing clear navigation, the project also sought to “uncover a sense of meaning, emotion and joy.”
Also a 2023 Merit Award-winner, the North Kansas City Early Education Center by DLR Group adapted an existing building to offer a nurturing environment for early learners, including many with special needs. By reimagining the footprint of a big box store, DLR Group and their collaborators were able to create an inspiring space for approximately 900 children.
Submit Your Project Now!
Have a placemaking project to submit for consideration? Our 2024 SEGD Global Design Awards Portal is now open and accepting submissions. Please carefully review our submission guidelines to determine whether your project(s) are eligible for review. Afterwards, please submit your project(s) through our portal website. The FINAL deadline for submission is February 29, 2024.
On behalf of the 2024 SEGD Global Design Awards Jury, we look forward to reviewing your submissions!