STATE OF THE NATION

CRITICAL REFLECTIONS ON SEMINAL AUSTRALIAN DESIGNS

Too often design is understood at the moment of its construction, with little attention given to how the spaces and landscapes evolve over time. For example Julian Raxworthy’s recent book Overgrown: Practices between Landscape Architecture and Gardening challenges us to shift focus to interrogate the slippage between the initial intent of designers and ‘in ground performance’ which considers ongoing care and maintenance as part of design processes. Working with these ideas, this session features a critical discussion on significant parks or squares constructed between 1990-1999 in the major state capitals of Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Hobart.

PRESENTERS

Catherine Evans

Catherine is a Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment at UNSW. Her PhD research critically examines the transformation of Sydney’s post-industrial landscapes into public parks. Former Director of the Landscape Architecture Program 2004-2006 and 2015-2018,  she led educational innovation and curriculum development. She is currently Chair of AILA’s National Education Committee. 

Julian Bolleter 

Dr Julian Bolleter is the Acting Director at the Australian Urban Design Research Centre (AUDRC) at the University of Western Australia. He is a landscape architect and urban designer and has w¬orked in design offices in Australia, the USA, the UK and the Middle East. Julian has published extensively including the books - Made in Australia: The future of Australian cities’(with Richard Weller), Take Me to the River: A history of Perth’s foreshore,’  and ‘Desert Paradises: surveying the landscapes of Dubai’s urban model.’

Jo-Russell Clarke 

Jo Russell-Clarke is a registered landscape architect and Fellow of AILA. She is editor of Foreground online journal and a senior lecturer at the University of Adelaide. Jo’s wide-ranging interests look to engage broadly with communities on issues of design-led environmental appreciation, through a variety of media including radio.

Jerry De Gryse 

Jerry is a Director at Inspiring Place and a Fellow of AILA. Jerry’s working life has revolved around the landscape since aged 8 when he started mowing lawns in the neighbourhood and later worked in estate construction and maintenance in the US.  This year, Jerry celebrates 40 years as a landscape architect gaining the respect of many as an ideas man and raconteur about the need to link nature, culture and community to create inspiring places. 

Anna Chauvel 

Anna Chauvel is one of Perth’s leading landscape architects, and the driving force behind PLACE Laboratory, a design practice that puts people front and centre. Now relocated to Canberra, Anna’s landscape architectural and urban design leadership combines guiding vision with persuasive passion to create successful places. She is an advocate for innovative urban design, and has a particular interest in place-led design approaches.

Claudia Justino Taborda

Claudia Taborda is a senior lecturer in Landscape Architecture at the Queensland University of Technology. Her research focuses on the landscape project and its relation to architecture. Claudia has lectured  widely in Europe, USA and China and practiced in Portugal at Global arquitectura paisagista. In 2006 she was the curator of LISBOSCOPIO, which was exhibited as part of the Venice Architecture Biennale. Clauda’s writings have appeared in international magazines, catalogues and books.

Rebecca Connelly

Rebecca Connelly is a Landscape Architect and Urban Designer with a strong interest in inclusive, resilient and inspiring urban environments. Working in the Strategy and Design team at the City of Adelaide, she has been involved in the strategic shaping, design and delivery of projects in the city and Park Lands.