Cook Park is adjacent to Wontama and typifies the established landscape of Orange.

The established garden and magnificent ornamental trees on the site offer a beautiful setting for residents, carers and visitors. The location of the coffee shop at the entrance conveys the welcoming and caring philosophy of Uniting.

Taylor Brammer’s design philosophy of wellness and inclusion is celebrated with welcoming courtyards which feature a bird aviary, vegetable and herb beds. Sculpture and rural character resonate with the countryside setting of Orange. Sheltered seating locations provide opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the sun and nature in comfortable and pleasant surroundings.

Courtyards at Wontama create opportunities for activities such as gardening and contemplation.

Matthew Taylor, director of Taylor Brammer attended the opening with over 150 community members. This project exemplifies Taylor Brammer’s design expertise in creating inspirational spaces and environments.

The existing distinctive trees on site were incorporated into the overall design.

This design expertise was explored recently at the ‘Making Cities Liveable’ Conference in Brisbane, where Matthew Taylor presented ‘An Urban World Towards Sustainability”. Matthew addressed the relationship of nature and human settlement. In understanding our ongoing and evolving relationship with our world, a historical perspective was used to evaluate the contemporary challenges and desired outcomes for sustainable cities. Read more on this presentation at http://blog.taylorbrammer.com.au/matthew-taylor-presents-at-2017-making-cities-liveable-conference/.

 Familiar countryside elements are incorporated into the courtyards, further supporting the concepts of wellness at Wontama.

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.

Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects’ competition entry named the ‘Illusory Forest’ was shortlisted as one of five competition entries for display within the prestigious International Event. As part of the company’s development of design and conceptualization skills within the practice, a collaborative competition entry was submitted in the Boutique Garden category for the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show design competition.

The “Illusory Forest” design concept by Camila Gamalho Pereira, a Brazilian architect and urban designer within Taylor Brammer was selected from within the company and developed collectively for the competition entry. The concept of an “Illusory Forest” came from Camila’s yoga and meditation sessions, where she seeks the image and tranquility of being in a forest. Achieving the perception of being in a forest in an often confined space, Camila sought to recreate her illusory forest within the relatively confined space of the 5mx5m garden, a common sized urban garden space.

Competition Entry – Concept Development Diagram

The illusion of the forest is created by the use of tall vertical elements and mirrored surfaces to reflect and multiply the depth of the forest and offer changing views as you move through the garden and extend the perception of the boundaries. The grid of structural bamboo poles at 1m intervals is interconnected with a framework of lighter poles to create a structure that is open and allows light to penetrate throughout the space.

Competition Entry – Concept Perspective

The structure creates a labyrinth of secret spaces and framed views that are refracted by a series of mirrors arranged in geometric formation. Planting of the forest is restrained to swathes of groundcover species, punctuated by specimen foliage plants so as not to compete with the verticality of the poles. The raised base is covered in Parlour Palm green walling, so that the garden sits gently in its surroundings.

Competition Entry – Concept Plan

The selection of bamboo for the core structure was a simple choice, as it is strong, durable, cost effective, fire resistant, and is bio degradable. Environmentally the bamboo typically has a higher carbon sequestration rate generating up to 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees and absorbs 30% more CO2 than trees of an equivalent size.

A series of modular elements are fixed to the bamboo structure within the space including feature epiphytic planting, fractured mirror planes, lighting and fix. As they move around visitors will catch glimpses of themselves reflected within the serene forest creating a sense of wonder and peace.

Design Realisation – Meandering path through forest

A sinuous path of crushed recycled concrete reinforces the theme of sustainable materials and construction and guides visitors through the space. The garden will be constructed on a raised plinth clad in bamboo ply to conceal the pots and footings. Misters are installed to create atmosphere and depth within the structure. At night the garden will be illuminated by uplights casting a web of shadows and creating new mysteries.

Design Realisation – Sustainable materials featured throughout

The garden and green wall was constructed by Coolth Inc. a Melbourne Based Landscape and Green Architecture specialist firm. Bamboo poles have been supplied by Cut Loose Nursey in Port Macquarie, and Live Bamboo by Red Cloud Nursery in Melbourne. Warners Nursery have generously supplied all other plant materials. Leto Bamboo Panels and Plyco have supplied the timber products, while Anston Architectural Paving have supplied the stone.

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.