The Footscray Park Memorial Garden is a new space created within the heritage listed Footscray Park to house over 200 avenue of honour plaques. The plaques commemorate those who served in both of the world wars, but have been damaged, removed and buried over time as the original road upon which they were located has been modified and widened. The new garden space provides them a more stable and sympathetic setting at the northern end of the original avenue of honour.

The relocated plaques are set upon shaped concrete plinths that interlock together to form low walls. The walls created align exactly with the alignment of the original avenue of honour (including replicating the kink in the alignment of the road). The shape of the plinths that allows them to interlock evokes the idea behind the avenue of honour – that the sacrifices represented by the individual plaques together create a strong and lasting legacy.

The underlying basalt bedrock that lies beneath the surface of the Footscray area can be seen exposed in close proximity to the plaques, allowing a visual connection between the solid bedrock upon with the community is physically built and the sacrifices made by the citizens of the area.

<script type="text/javascript">

  var _gaq = _gaq || [];

  _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24020776-1']);

  _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);

  (function() {

    var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;

    ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';

    var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);

  })();

</script>

Narbethong, near Marysville in Victoria, was severely impacted by the devastating fires of 2009, including the loss of their community hall. A new hall designed by BVN Architecture has recently been completed, and FFLA undertook the landscape design and documentation for the project. The landscape design seeks to safe keep the memory of the history and context of the site. This includes a path network that defines the footprint of the former hall, as well as solid timber bench seating that reflects the saw-milling history of the town. Grassed areas around the hall provide usable spaces for events, as well as meeting requirements for fire protection and blending the site in with the surrounding paddocks. Understorey indigenous species are also used, allowing the forest abutting the site to infiltrate the site in a fire safe way. All consultant work on the project was undertaken pro-bono.

emergency architects australia

archdaily

bvn

The new music wing for Christ Church Grammar School facing Punt Road in South Yarra includes a sunken courtyard. The space acts as a light court for lower level rooms, but also creates a usable outdoor area away from the traffic noise. The key design element is a vertical sculptural element that takes inspiration from the use of the surorunding rooms for music education. Made up of second hand brass instruments, the sculptural work creates a vertical element that draws the eye upwards within the sunken space. The concept for the work was created as part of the FFLA design process before being resolved and executed by sculptor Michael Powell. FFLA also designed a series of recycled plastic and timber seats and steps for the space. Together these create an arrangement of seating opportunities that allow the space to be used as an outdoor learning area. Planting is maximised within the space, including a planter over the roof of a maintenance store room accessed from the sunken courtyard.

The Toomuc Creek wetland, shared trail, playground and artwork employs a new approach to constructed ecology, drainage infrastructure, recreation and place making. At the centre of the reserve is an experiential sculpture, ‘Ebb/Flow’ by Louise Lavarack. The artwork inteprets the interface between the land and the sky as well as the seasonal changes in the local climate.

A further feature of the project is the construction of breeding ponds for the growling grass frogs. The ponds separate from the wetland that will be periodically filled to match the frog breeding cycles but also drained to prevent populations of predatory fish establishing.

The project also includes reuse of existing site material and construction of over 1000 linear metres of shared trail. Timbers from an old bridge on site have been incorporated in to a viewing platform and signage interpreting the site history. 

Winner 2012 AILA Victoria Design Award

Further information includes an interview with the artist 

www.louiselavarack.com.au

Mills Beach Masterplan

Located near Albury Wodonga, Tallangatta is famous for being the “town that moved” in the 1950’s as a result of the construction of Hume Weir which flooded the existing town.  FFLA in association with CHC Architects and One Collective completed the Tallangatta Revitalisation project which created a vision for the future of the town. The project involved significant stakeholder and community consultation to determine local issues and priorities.  The project includes the development of concept plans for key precincts within the town (including the water front, sporting precinct and main street) to enable the staged implementation of the overall town vision.

tallangatta tomorrow

FFLA undertook landscape design and documentation for the National Affordability Rental Scheme housing project at Monash University, working with architects BVN. Completed in late 2011, the development provides 600 self-contained units. The landscape design includes the integration of facilities (such as shelters, barbecues, an outdoor gym and productive gardens), the incorporation of Green Star requirements, and extensive communal gardens with a mostly indigenous character that ties in with a nature reserve abutting the site.

archdaily

bvn

FFLA worked with the City of Yarra in the revitalisation of Browns Reserve in Abbotsford. The design brief for the space included resolution of some key maintenance issues including the deteriorating retaining walls surrounding the sunken playground. The design proposed retention of many of the existing elements within the site (including the play equipment) rather than a complete reconstruction to ensure maximum return from a relatively small capital works budget. A variety of edging types were proposed around the playground to enliven the playspace, including boulders for climbing on, a timber seating platform and a grassed slope. Bricks from an existing brick path were recycle and reused on site as path edging, mixed with new colour glazed bricks that add playfulness and colour to the site. These colours also reference the existing mural to one wall of the park, which was undertaken as a bicentennial project in 1988.

Lollipop Creek was a degraded stretch of waterway formerly used for grazing but transformed for use as a public open space. FFLA prepared a master plan, management plan and documentation as well as providing contract administration services.  The area contained remnants of three degraded plant communities as well as areas of archeological significance. A site responsive approach was applied to the site master planning and management. Prior to the documentation of landscape works 12 months site management was undertaken which included weed control and ecological burns (these were undertaken in close proximity to homes which required effective management and community engagement). The landscape design responded to regeneration of plant species following this disturbance.  A further 2 years management of the native vegetation was undertaken which resulted in an increase in the habitat hectare score from 0.16 to 0.23.  Stakeholder consultation included meetings with Council, Melbourne Water and a site walk with a representative from the Wathaurong Aboriginal Community (who was impressed by the return of ‘traditional’ land management practices). 

Winner 2012 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects National Awards Land Management

Winner 2010 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Victoria Land Management Award

"Lollipop Creek demonstrates that a very 'Melbourne' landscape can be incorporated into the hearts and minds of the suburb, and that indigenous landscapes can be managed and maintained in this city typology."  AILA Victoria jury citation

FFLA has prepared designs and documentation of proposed improvements to the East Richmond railway station precinct for the City of Yarra. The project has a focus upon pedestrian amenity improvements, including providing more physical space for pedestrians and improving the visual presentation of the area. The design of the precinct also includes consideration of the complex traffic movements through the area, including access for large commercial delivery vehicles and existing drainage issues.  This includes the rationalisation of road pavement to create of additional spaces for pedestrians, the creation of bicycle lanes and the extension of shared zones. FFLA’s approach to the project has included an investigation into ‘East Richmondness’, uncovering stories relevant to the precinct that are referenced in the design response.

city of yarra

Treehouse is new approach to outdoor learning spaces. The design by FFLA interacts with a much-loved mature oak tree on the Melbourne Girls Grammer School Junior Campus. The brief for the project was for a cosy tree house that could be used for passive activities such as reading and for outdoor learning in small groups. The structure wraps around the tree, with a small stage for performance at the base joined by steps wrapping around the trunk to an elevated platform nestled among the branches. The elevated platform is enclosed by a semi-transparent dowel screen that provides a very tactile edge to the enclosed space.

The Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve is home to a passionate local surfing community, the destination for international tourists and the venue of the annual Rip Curl Pro. For many the a visit to the reserve is an almost spiritual experience. The Bells Beach Coastal Management Plan (the first for the reserve) and Masterplan has included extensive community and stakeholder consultation to ensure the Management Plan addressed the needs of all users without compromising the environmental qualities of the reserve. A series of options were investigated during the project to best resolve current site issues (such as drainage and servicing) as well as make provision for future needs (such as providing improved user facilities). The integrated servicing plan proposes a stormwater harvesting and rain gardens for reuse to reduce site erosion caused by stormwater runoff. A key outcome of the consultation with the community has been the resolution of appropriate limits of change and development within the reserve. Existing car parks have been reconfigured to better cater for tourist demands with no net increase in paving area for vehicle parking. The Management Plan provides a vision for the future whilst respecting the existing, nationally significant site qualities and the iconic status of ‘Bells’ in Australian surf culture.

http://www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/My_Environment/Our_Coast/Bells_Beach_Surfing_Recreation_Reserve

Winner 2011 Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture Victorian Planning Award. 

The project was also the winner of the 2010 Victorian Clean Beaches Award

http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/www/html/3034-2010-kabv-awards-winners.asp 
http://www.surfingaustralia.com/vic/news-details.php?id=623

This project is an example of how different management practices can be linked with a vision for a waterway to enhance the existing ecological values. FFLA was responsible for the development of a vision for the site which is applied to the master planning, design development and documentation of landscape works. The existing landscape became a focus, with management of the existing vegetation being a key consideration. This management has included the use of ecological burns to activate the seed bank and reduce competition from weed species.  Over a period of 3 years a management practices resulted in a significantly improved western plains grassland complex, complemented by sensitive but strongly contrasting design elements that provide a recreational focus for the less sensitive parts of the site. The project included construction of a shared trail that forms part of the Kororoit Creek regional trail. The project also included the integration of two constructed wetlands within the creek reserve to treat the storm water runoff from the surrounding residential area prior to it entering the creek.

Federation Square is at the heart of Melbourne, providing an important social space for a wide range of activities and events. The managers of the space recognised that the down side of the large open spaces that cater so well for large events is that they provide little comfort to visitors during off-peak times. FFLA was commissioned to prepare a ‘Comfort Zone Strategy’ for Federation Square, with the aim of improving visitor comfort during the non-event periods. The approach to the project included the analysis of existing use patterns, including mapping of pedestrian movements through the space. From this analysis a range of propositions were considered and assessed against   appropriateness to the architectural setting, sustainability objectives and maintenance requirements. Outcomes from the project which have been implemented include shade umbrellas that lock into sleeves installed in the stone paved surface, deck chairs and picnic blankets.

Box Hill High School is an established school with a grand facade facing the busy Whitehorse Road. As a part of recent building refurbishment works and additions, FFLA completed the design, documentation and contract administration of new and upgraded spaces around the school campus. This included the transformation of the Whitehorse Road frontage from an unused area that was fenced and overgrown into a space that is usable and compliments the grand school frontage.  

The landscape works also included a large and intensively used internal courtyard space. Café-style seating was incorporated in the area around the school canteen to create a meeting and gathering space - something the students have embraced. An outdoor stage and amphitheatre was constructed for learning and performance and raised planters were constructed to maximise the opportunities for informal gathering spaces. The school logo was incorporated in to the new design of the centrally located stage. Plant species were selected for their suitability for the proposed growing conditions and their low water requirements. This included the use of native species and species which reflected the period of the historic buildings.

The design of each space responded to the architecture, including collaboration with Williams Boag architects undertaking building refurbishments.

The landscape outcomes were awarded at the 2009 City of Whitehorse Building a Better City Design Awards.

FFLA designed the courtyard spaces associated with the new lecture theatre facility at RMIT Bundoora campus, which is a strong presence at this important pedestrian entry point to the campus. The courtyards sit within the perimeter walls of the building (designed by Allan Powell Architects) and form important spaces in the functioning and character of the building. The northern courtyard is a pedestrian forecourt that caters for large volumes of pedestrian traffic at the commencement and end of lectures. A rainwater tank is located under this courtyard that provides water to irrigate the planting. The southern courtyard is not publicly accessible and instead forms a green backdrop to internal gathering spaces. The courtyard includes predominantly indigenous vegetation, including fern species that thrive in the enclosed and somewhat shaded space.  Local weathered boulders are used throughout, complementing the monolithic form of the building.

rmit

The Lakes Entrance Community Precinct combines a mixture of health, aged care, Koori support services, child care and community facilities to the residents of Lakes Entrance. What started as a Master Plan to guide the development of public spaces between and around buildings was expanded to explore the potential for the local community to be engaged with a highly valued place and use the spaces between facilities to express local culture. Central to the approach was the shared value all community groups had for the environmental qualities of the region. Community participation and engagement included the reopening of a disused quarry in Nowa Nowa to donate rare ironstone, the donation of highly valuable timbers sourced from fire breaks for use in artworks and furniture, the skill development undertaken in partnership between unemployed Koori youths, GLCH and the local TAFE resulting in Koori youth undertaking site landscape works and learning skills that were applied to the creation of art pieces expressing the Gunai Kurnai culture of the region.

For further information regarding the artist collaboration visit.

2012 Bloom Exhibition Gallery of Australian Design

Stockade Park is a linear reserve, connecting Lalor train station to a local shopping strip and residential area. FFLA designed and documented the park upgrade. The council brief had an emphasis on the provision of facilities such as a new playground, which it was suggested could have a Eureka Stockade theme. Research revealed that the park was developed as a part of the Peter Lalor Home Building Co-operative Society, who in the late 1940s responded to the post-war housing shortage by forming a home building cooperative.  This finding highlighted the opportunity to deal explicitly with the history of the site itself rather than the association by name with the Eureka Stockade.   Very few of the original Cooperative residents remain, and there is little evidence in the fabric of the suburb that reflects it’s rich history. The park includes quotes from the founders of the cooperative that cast light on the naming of the cooperative and subsequently the suburb itself. The distinctive shapes and forms reconnects the community with the history of the place. 

further info

FFLA were the winners of the fourth prize in the Lightcycle sustainable lighting design competition which was part of the 2007 Melbourne Design Festival.

The entry explored notions of 'food from waste' and 'upcycling'. It combines 100% organic elements with no glues or paints - garlic skins woven with cotton, supported by spaghetti and fixed to a block of recycled timber.

The Garlic Lamp was featured in Green Magazine  www.greenmagazine.com.au