2012 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award: Design
The campus and Reconciliation Place viewed from the NLA podium. Questacon is visible on the right and the NGA view corridor is revealed through the removal of Enid Lyons Street and transplanting of some 30 mature Plane Trees. The NLA water feature was restored to match its former glory.
The refurbished NLA forecourt showing new walling and balustrade, and paved tilted plane which accentuates the verticality of the NLA facade on approach.
The New Campus park provides for recreation for visitors to NLA and Questacon.
Native planting, organic forms and rustic materials combine to create a deliberate contrast with the highly organised and polished landscape of civic Canberra. The design approaches meet at Reconciliation Place.
Overtime, the landscape rooms are to be populated with carefully selected sculptures that respond to the Humanities and Science theme, such as these installed by Questacon in 2011, which seamlessly integrate with surrounding materials.
Shaded seating area in new Questacon forecourt. Surface treatments define areas for future Questacon exhibits.
New BBQ shelter by Lahz Nimmo Architects, constructed of robust timbers and weathered steel and scaled to match existing copper clad substation.
Native planting in the campus park include new River Gums grown from site-sourced seed and compliment the picnic shelter constructed of recycled hardwood.
New terrace seating creates ‘outdoor classroom’ for Questacon.
Approach to Reconciliation Place from Parkes Place West.
Masterplan of Humanities and Science Campus
Native grasses and reeds compliment the rustic materials of the picnic shelter and intercept overland flow paths.
New sculptures are beginning to inhabit the space in accordance with the site master plan.
Humanities and Science Campus (Parliamentary Triangle, Canberra) by Spackman Mossop Michaels
Client: National Capital Authority
Jury comment
This design demonstrates an exemplary responsiveness to its setting of landmark buildings, including the National Library, National Gallery, and Questacon, and to an urban open space with complex relationships, circulation and viewing needs.
The design planning and then the design implementation have achieved a successful integration of the formal vistas, the structured, tree shaded sculpture rooms and the native planted, organic forms, inspired by the regional bushland, which seamlessly and appropriately links to the Reconciliation Place.
The space has been transformed to a notable addition to Canberra’s civic realm, already with a distinct identity and eminently usable and evocative spaces.
