OCULUS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the places we work.

We honour Elders past and present, whose profound knowledge systems can teach us much about how we care and design for Country.

NSW Heritage Awards Win

21 May 2024

By OCULUS

A photograph of a seated awards ceremony, two people are on stage collecting a trophy. There is a floral arrangement with a big "3" "0" cut out.

West Head Lookout on Garigal Country, designed by Bruce Mackenzie and OCULUS for NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, has won the Landscape Award at the 30th annual National Trust NSW Heritage Awards.

Originally designed by renowned landscape architect, the late Bruce Mackenzie, in association with Russell Smith in the 1960s, the lookout is significant example of the ‘Sydney Bush School’ style of landscape architecture.

OCULUS Senior Landscape Architect Scarlett Leung accepted the award on behalf of the wider team, saying "it was an honour to learn from Bruce and to preserve West Head Lookout for future generations. "

The awards celebrate outstanding practice and excellence in conservation of Aboriginal, built, natural and cultural heritage, and this year attracted over 120 entries. Penny Sharpe, Minister for Heritage, commended the winners for their dedication to conserving and promoting heritage in NSW, saying “these projects are vital in ensuring our special places and stories are enjoyed for generations to come”.

The jury was chaired by architect Matthew Devine, who was joined by Ann Toy, Barrina South, Caitlin Allen, David Burdon, Kathryn Pitkin, Peter John Cantrill, and landscape architect Libby Gallagher.

The winners were announced in a ceremony on Gadigal Country in Sydney, a full list of winners is available on the National Trust website. Congratulations to everyone involved in this celebration of heritage.

A photograph of a smiling person proudly holding a timber trophy.
A photo of a large group posing with certificates and trophies. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is in the distance behind them.

Latest

National Gallery of Australia Sculpture Garden Design Competition

A photo of ten smiling people holding three framed certificates and three trophies. One is giving a thumbs up.

03 Feb 2026 — Triple win for Seafarers

A digital render of a waterfront park filled with trees and people. The park is under a large concrete bridge, and a boat shed with ramp is visible.

27 Jan 2026 — New waterfront park sets ambitious goal for Women in Construction

A visualisation of an interactive water's edge with sandstone steps, alongside large trees, and large buildings in the background.

20 Jan 2026 — Renewing the old Sydney Fish Market site

A photo of people socialising in a laneway-like space between two buildings under the shade of trees and umbrellas.

29 Oct 2025 — Victorian Premier’s Design Awards: Triple Finalist

A horizontal cover with a green and blue landscape image reading "Nature Design Guide"

15 Oct 2025 — Nature Design Guide

An aerial photograph of a handful of people walking around a park with paved paths, lawn area, and Australian native plants.

30 Oct 2025 — The Oval at Subi East wins two AILA National Awards

A young vine with purple flowers growing out of rocky ground in front of blurry train tracks.

26 Nov 2025 — World Architecture Festival Win for Creative Reuse

A mock up of a document with dark green covers reading "Woody Meadow Guidelines: Naturalistic plantings of Australian woody plants for people and nature." There are flower graphics on the cover, and the document sits on an isolated white background.

24 Nov 2025 — Guide to Growing a Woody Meadow