Slides from Making Cities Liveable presentation “An Urban World Towards Sustainability”

Beginning in the middle ages, society has been in balance with nature. In the changes that have occurred with the industrial revolution, this balance has been distorted where society has lost touch with nature and its benefits.

Slides from Making Cities Liveable presentation “An Urban World Towards Sustainability”

Sustainable cities incorporate both social and community benefits by bringing nature to the city. There is a need for an integrated design approach across our living environments.

Slides from Making Cities Liveable presentation “An Urban World Towards Sustainability”

Contemporary designs by TBLA have incorporated the warmth of nature and this design philosophy provides sustainable social and beneficial living environments.

Matthew Taylor, Director of Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects was recently invited to talk with the final year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture students at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) on the evolution of design philosophy in the profession of Landscape Architecture with particular reference to professional practice.

Topics in the presentation were arranged around the subjects of Heritage planning, Managing a landscape practice, Project evolution and the management of projects while in construction.

The students were asked what they as landscape architects were to “bring to the table” and how their role as landscape architects could bring value to a project as part of a professional design team.

Matthew pointed out the value of the tertiary education which they have gained from the University and the fact that it takes time and experience to learn how to apply their expertise and values to projects.

Of particular note was Matthew’s expertise in heritage planning. The building on campus where the lecture was given was used as an example of the methodology applied in heritage planning where the former land use included the former Kensington horse racing track.

The lecture was summarised with lessons learnt in the installation of landscape projects and the critical importance of coordination and material selection in providing memorable and outstanding outcomes.

Sydney Harbour

Matthew Taylor’s recognised heritage expertise has been brought into use as the head of the AILA Landscape Heritage Group (NSW). The group was successful in gaining a grant from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage in their NSW Heritage Grants Program for the listing of 10 significant landscapes in NSW.

Victoria Barracks & Admiralty House, Sydney

The group has recently organised a very successful workshop at Tusculum, a significant heritage house in Potts Point that saw 30 AILA members and invited guests contribute to what places matter. A lively debate ensured on what is significant, the importance of connection to place. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a very strong sense of connection to their ancestral land. Indeed, Aboriginal sense of place does not include the word Landscape, their association with the land is spiritually based this coming from being close and dependent on the land to live.

The locations of the lighthouses for example along the NSW Coast are spiritual places for the local aboriginal tribes as these promontories were where fires were lit for the purposes of night fishing.  The critical engagement and acknowledgement of aboriginal placemaking and what it means to our relationship with our land.

The project is in its early research and scoping phase, and aims to identify significant cultural landscapes. The study will also address important heritage conservation areas, heritage curtilages and smaller scale gardens, trees and items that may be suitable for listing on the State Heritage Register.

Raising awareness to Landscape Architects and the wider community is an important goal of the study. Heritage consultants MHQ have been engaged to prepare a study to identify state significant landscapes.

Further information available at AILA Heritage Workshop

Five Dock Memorial re-opens for ANZAC Centenary

Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects have assisted the City of Canada Bay Council with the restoration and design of important focal elements for the Five Dock War Memorial set in the heritage listed Five Dock park, which reopened on ANZAC Sunday the 19th April. This community commemoration highlighted the importance to Australia of the original ANZACs, many who came from the immediate neighbourhood.

The refurbishment of the memorial re-established the heritage values and involved the removal of unsuitable fencing, returning the brickwork to its original form, replacing and renewing structural elements and a new pressed metal ceiling complementing this 1920s structure. Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects using their conservation heritage expertise to guide the refurbishment, creating a new ‘heart’ to the memorial. This feature consists of an ‘eternal flame’ framed in a brass and glass etched names of ANZACs set on a stone plinth.

Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway, Concord, Sydney – 20 years on

Unveiled in 1995, this living memorial was the focus of a Dawn Service on ANZAC Sunday, 19th of April. A choir supported by a spectacular light show emulating the dawn, highlighted the time and place for the original ANZAC landing of 1915. Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects assisted in the layout of the service and general advice.

ANZAC Commemorative site, Gallipoli, Turkey – Preparations

At Gallipoli in Turkey the ANZAC Commemorative Site is being readied for the ANZAC day centenary commemoration. Designed in 1998 and unveiled in 2000  the site is the focus of the Dawn Service at North Beach, a kilometre to the north of  ANZAC Cove. Gallipoli has  long been a place of pilgrimage with the centenary having having a special significance to all. The site has been subject to new lettering and supplementary infrastructure for this centenary commemoration.