2012 AILA National Landscape Architecture Awards of Excellence: Design

Award |
14 Aug 2012
Entrance art work by Jon Tarry's, based on an insect chrysalys.

Entrance art work by Jon Tarry’s, based on an insect chrysalys.

Image: Richard Gale

Rio Tinto Naturescape, Kings Park & Botanic Gardens by Plan (E)

Client: Botanic Gardens & Park Authority (WA)

Jury comment

An innovative response to a challenging brief, Rio Tinto Naturescape delivers not only a natural creek system as a playspace for children, but it does so in a manner that is respectful and sensitive to the existing environmental conditions and cultural systems.

The thoughtful, contemporary design elements, sculpters and hierarchy of paths also provide an educational experience and journey for adults and carers.

This responsive design sets an exemplar for the future provision of recreational and educational facilities in bushland settings located in urban environments.

Source

Award

Published online: 14 Aug 2012
Images: Botanic Garden & Park authority, Plan (E), Richard Gale

Issue

Landscape Architecture Australia, November 2012

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2012 AILA National Landscape Architecture Awards of Excellence: Design
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2012 AILA National Landscape Architecture Awards of Excellence: Design
Entrance art work by Jon Tarry's, based on an insect chrysalys.

Entrance art work by Jon Tarry’s, based on an insect chrysalys.

Image: Richard Gale
John Tarry’s distictive entry developed in consultation with Plan (E) structure provides a unique wayfinding marker within Kings Park Botanic Gardens.

John Tarry’s distictive entry developed in consultation with Plan (E) structure provides a unique wayfinding marker within Kings Park Botanic Gardens.

Image: Richard Gale
Design elements are a stylized and deliberate intrusion into the natural landscape.

Design elements are a stylized and deliberate intrusion into the natural landscape.

Image: Richard Gale
Viewing towers / tree hides are inspired by the shape of seeds, adding dynamic form and structure.

Viewing towers / tree hides are inspired by the shape of seeds, adding dynamic form and structure.

Image: Plan (E)
The creative use of water adds a significant tactile element to the site.

The creative use of water adds a significant tactile element to the site.

Image: Richard Gale
Pools offer children the opportunity to interact with nature in diverse environments.

Pools offer children the opportunity to interact with nature in diverse environments.

Image: Richard Gale
Paperbark creek provides children a dynamic landscape, while adhering to water sustainability principles.

Paperbark creek provides children a dynamic landscape, while adhering to water sustainability principles.

Image: Richard Gale
The tunnel uses natural materials that reflect the kings park natural material palette while providing a bold built form element.

The tunnel uses natural materials that reflect the kings park natural material palette while providing a bold built form element.

Image: Richard Gale
Highly innovative and stylised built elements, including warrens, set within the landscape complement the natural character.

Highly innovative and stylised built elements, including warrens, set within the landscape complement the natural character.

Image: Richard Gale
The site provides multiple opportunities for exploration through naturalistic water based elements.

The site provides multiple opportunities for exploration through naturalistic water based elements.

Image: Richard Gale
Natural materials include iron boulders from rio tinto’s tom price mine to frame walkways and entrances.

Natural materials include iron boulders from rio tinto’s tom price mine to frame walkways and entrances.

Image: Richard Gale
Walkways provide universal access while also conserving fragile plant communities.

Walkways provide universal access while also conserving fragile plant communities.

Image: Richard Gale
Prickly thickets frame unique spaces for education, interpretation and free play.

Prickly thickets frame unique spaces for education, interpretation and free play.

Image: Richard Gale
Site responsive design conserves the natural attributes of the site.

Site responsive design conserves the natural attributes of the site.

Image: Richard Gale
Endemic vegetation within the water bodies will mature, providing naturescape with strong foundations for longevity.

Endemic vegetation within the water bodies will mature, providing naturescape with strong foundations for longevity.

Image: Plan (E)
Highly stylised tree hides immerse visitors in the landscape.

Highly stylised tree hides immerse visitors in the landscape.

Image: Plan (E)
Timber and steel together create bold intrusion in the landscape, providing dynamic, visual and functional elements.

Timber and steel together create bold intrusion in the landscape, providing dynamic, visual and functional elements.

Image: Richard Gale
The geometric form of the trench is a response to the flat topography, deliberately intruding into the landscape plain.

The geometric form of the trench is a response to the flat topography, deliberately intruding into the landscape plain.

Image: Richard Gale
The trench provides an adventuous journey linking individual elements of the site.

The trench provides an adventuous journey linking individual elements of the site.

Image: Richard Gale
Upside-down tree trunks express the form of trees while creating a naturalistic response to interactive structures.

Upside-down tree trunks express the form of trees while creating a naturalistic response to interactive structures.

Image: Richard Gale
The site is designed with minimal impact on existing natural habitats and to protect and encourage local wildlife throughout the site.

The site is designed with minimal impact on existing natural habitats and to protect and encourage local wildlife throughout the site.

Image: Botanic Garden & Park authority
The unique design provides the community with a playful and adventurous connection to nature on the fringe of the CBD.

The unique design provides the community with a playful and adventurous connection to nature on the fringe of the CBD.

Image: Richard Gale

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