Treetop walk.
Among Western Australia’s oldest tourist attractions is the tingle forest at the Valley of the Giants near Walpole, in the state’s south-west. To improve experiences of this asset, the site administrators held a competition to design a high-rise walk through the tree canopy, beginning and culminating with an information centre. The winning team was architects Donaldson + Warn, engineers Ove Arup and artist David Jones. Inspired by the soaring trees, they have delicately planted a series of steel pylons through the forest; each stabilised by three steel guywires and topped by a circular lookout platform. The pylons and lookouts are linked by trusses supporting a boardwalk framed by metal balustrades. The ‘Tingle Shelter’ information centre comprises a triangular deck flanked by two timber pavilions which were partly fabricated off-site. One pavilion houses lavatories; the other contains an office, shop and ticket counter.
Pylon for the treetop walk, including the base of a circular lookout.
Jury Verdict
The Tree Top Walk consists of a delicately sited series of steel trusses, suspended between steel pylons which weave through the beauty of the Nornalup National Park, WA.
The structure seems to be extremely successful in that it “touches the ground lightly” and it forms a beautiful sculpture in the natural landscape. The structure weaves its way throughout the tall tingle trees allowing one to meander through the canopy at a high level and enjoy different views over the forest. The steel pylon supports blend with the tall trunks of the tingle trees. The walk provides the explorer with a stimulating, educative and exciting experience.
The shelter is made up of a shop and information centre together with toilet facilities. Here, wheelchairs are available for the disabled if required.
It is encouraging to see that access has been extended to the point where such experiences are now available for the disabled.
Treetop walk and pylon supported lookout.
Images: Geoff Warn, Simon Westlake, David Jones.
Credits
- Project
- Treetop Walk and Tingle Shelter, Valley of the Giants
- Architect
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Donaldson & Warn
- Project Team
- Geoff Warn, Jane Bennetts, Martyn Hook, John Sunderland, Matthew Crawford, Graham Christ, Andrew Scafe
- Consultants
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Builder
Future Engineering & Communication, Folkes Smith & Associates
Environmental artist David Jones
Graphic design Stumpfel Shaw
Hydraulic engineer Harding MacDonald—Bob MacDonald
Landscape architect Calm—Tracy Churchill
Quantity surveyor Ralph & Beattie Bosworth—Bruce Greenwood
Structural engineer Ove Arup & Partners—Adrian Roberts
- Site Details
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Location
Walpole,
WA,
Australia
- Project Details
-
Status
Built
Type Installations
