“Imbibing the adivāsi identity in rural India”: Invitation to present independent research paper at an international symposium

Towards the end of last year, Rob and Shivani from our team were invited to present their research paper at the International Symposium on Sustainable Rural Built Environments at the Kulliyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, International Islamic University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Their research reviews the current Indian legislative and planning framework and the involvement of adivāsi communities (India’s indigenous communities) in rural planning processes to balance their socio-cultural needs and the built environment’s demands.

For many years adivāsis have developed innate interrelationships with their land. Their lifestyle, socio-cultural practices and sustenance mechanisms embody unique land management practices that are slowly but surely beginning to gain international recognition in the form of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). For generations they have relied heavily on the forests that they have conserved, managed and lived. Today these areas are classified as Protected Areas that are under Government ownership. The bureaucratic notions of ‘nation building’ are beginning to risk the erasure of adivāsi communities and their traditional knowledge as the idea of conservation and ‘progress’ combined with a lack of acknowledgement of their customary rights dominates the Indian planning and legislative framework.

Indigenous groups from world over have learnt to survive and sustain in some of the most hostile environmental conditions and have proved that humans can sustain as an integral aspect of ecology. Over 19% of the Earth’s surface is managed and conserved by about 300 million Indigenous people in 4000-5000 different cultures. To learn and promote their traditional knowledge can prove to be beneficial in today’s day and age where issues such as climate change begin to demand a change in our approach to managing and planning for the future of our landscapes. Their research draws upon community-based conservation initiatives that have been adopted in other contexts in order to decipher methods that could perpetuate environmental, socio-cultural and economic justice for the adivāsis.

For further information on the Research Symposium, see the following link:

https://www.srbe2020.com/

Photos to follow soon!

The Love Of Natural Stone

Here at Geoscape Landscape Architects, we love to use natural stone in our designs. It’s hard wearing, long lasting, feels nice underfoot and no two pieces are the same. However, we do have our favourites, among them are Bluestone, Granite, Travertine & Limestone.

The light colouring of Travertine and Limestone easily lend themselves to formal, classical or coastal styled landscapes. Travertine can be used filled or unfilled, it naturally has air pockets in its structure, creating a pock-marked appearance. Both Travertine & Limestone come in a variety of tones from white, cream, and yellow through to silver.

Alternatively, Granite and Bluestone are excellent for modern designs and for areas in the public sphere - they require less maintenance and tend to be slightly harder wearing than the lighter stones.

A mix of light and dark hard surfaces can be used in the same project to help delineate the functions of various spaces. Lighter stone can be used for main areas and darker stone for secondary zones - dark colours tend to recede visually and therefore won’t catch the eye as much as a lighter coloured stone.

The different colours of natural stone can also set the tone for a space. One recent residential design Tamara completed proposed natural cobbled Bluestone, for the main walkway and the separate driveway out the front to tie the new works into the heritage of the interurban home. While a lighter natural stone was proposed for the more family friendly zone around the pool in the back. The more intimate courtyard off to the side proposed large format Bluestone pavers with light coloured pebble between; designed to slow down the pace of the space and to tie the front yard and the back yard together.

In recent years the development of large format Porcelain tiles designed to look like natural stone or even timber, have created a cost effective alternative to natural stone. Timber look porcelain tiles used around a pool require less maintenance and they are salt-water and chlorine safe.

(Porcelain tiles that look like timber and granite can be seen in the images below, used as a backdrop for the smaller natural stone samples.)

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Courthouse Hotel - Under Construction

At the end of last year Tamara received notification that one of our hotel projects was under construction. We are looking forward to seeing some photos of the end result.

She recently had to revise this projects’ planting palette, as Tamworth is currently under level 5 water restrictions. Previously the planting palette was all native, as required by the Council Development Control Plan (DCP), however, native does not necessarily mean drought hardy. She was able to maintain the integrity of the design while also choosing plants that are both native, drought hardy and able to tolerate the frosts that Tamworth experience during winter.

The Hibiscus ‘Rubra’ feature tree in the courtyard is an excellent choice for this project; small enough for the location with stunning year round foliage.

The wonderfully soft Adenanthos (Woolly Bush) is punctuated with the upright Hibbertia spicata ‘Ocean Reef’. Together these two plants create a visual screen; separating the car park from the courtyard and bistro spaces, while still allowing for passive surveillance of the car park.

Finally a green blanket of native Myoporum softens the newly built exposed brick planters. These planters separate the courtyard space from the car park. Softening these raised planters will help this new extension to blend into its existing surroundings quickly.

Beautiful Low Water Use Plants

Many Councils during the DA process stipulate that plants selected for landscape designs need to be plants that do not require a lot of water. With Sydney’s current water restrictions it is a wise idea to incorporate these kind of plants into your landscape.

Below are Tamara’s favourite Beautiful Low Water Use Plants:

Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos species), particularly the ‘Bush Gems’ range. They flower year round and look excellent when mass planted.

Agapanthus, while sometimes considered old fashioned, are wonderfully drought hardy and look fabulous in Classic and Hamptons style gardens. The dwarf varieties such as the one above (Agapanthus ‘Snowball’) shower your garden beds with flowers throughout the warmer months.

Acacia ‘Limelight’ or Acacia ‘Fettuccini’ are new ground cover varieties of our native acacia trees. They rarely flower so allergens are not a problem and they provide a lovely soft textural element to the garden.

Pittosporum ‘Golfball’ is a fabulous drought tolerant substitute for Box Balls as it has a fine leaf and a naturally mounding habit requiring less maintenance than traditional buxus.

Hebe ‘Emerald Green’ is another naturally mounding plant. Smaller in stature than the Pittosporum ‘Golf Ball’ this plant is an excellent border plant and has a great vibrant colour.

Our native Westringia is another excellent drought tolerant native replacement for traditional box; either as a hedge or trained into balls. There are quite a plethora of varieties each with their own green tone from grey, to blue, to green making this plant very versatile.

Rhapiolepis is a great choice for a flowering shrub with a fragrant flower. The differing heights of the varieties allow this plant to be used in numerous applications throughout the garden. Also comes in pink if colour is required.

Crassula plants are succulents with wonderful textural foliage. Excellent in tropical, coastal, arid or even classical gardens. (Crassula ‘Max Cook’ seen above)

Blue Chalksticks or Senecio serpens is an excellent textural ground cover. Its blue tones are fabulous when paired with tropical or coastal planting.

Agave geminiflora while not a native is very reminiscent of our native grass trees (Xanthorrhoea sp.) and fit in well with arid or native style gardens.

Carpobrotus rossii often found at the beach is a great ground cover for a pop of colour and will nicely trails down retaining walls and planters. (Also comes in white for a more classic application)

“A Statement to Remember” - Entry statement for Mirragan Estate Marsh Road, Silverdale

Rob at the Geoscapes team has been working on design options for an entry statement at Mirragan Estate by Allam Homes at Silverdale. The concept design reference the Aboriginal heritage of this site with elements relating to the Lion Safari Park that once existed here. It will be exciting to see one of these eventually come to life. Geoscapes is also providing full landscape construction documentation for the entire estate, including a drainage reserve, community park and streetscape.

Earlwood Residential Landscape Concept

Here at Geoscapes Landscape Architects we work with our clients to achieve the desired look in their residential designs.  To achieve this, we can create mood boards & montages to convey our sketch designs and ensure that the concept we are putting together is in line with our clients vision.

The montage attached was created for a client who had a very specific feel in mind for her front yard.  This montage came out of a consultation with her, through mood boards and concept sketches ending in the montage before we developed the design for construction.

In this concept architectural mounds were articulated with the native groundcover Scleranthus. The mounds were then surrounded by fluffy Zoysia grass, accented with natural stone boulders. The tones of the native Breynia cernua (Coffee Bush) is mimicked by the low Loropetalum ‘Purple Pixie’ shrub, while bluestone steppers in organic shapes lead you round to the side access of the property.

Front Yard Montage by Tamara Wilson

Block A finished at 19 Gregory Street, South West Rocks

We have recently received some photographs of a project that Geoscapes have been working on over the past couple of years. Block A has now been completed with the residents moving in, landscaping will fully be completed once Block B has been built. The location within South West Rocks is simply breathtaking.

A bit of residential landscape sketch design for the start of the year!

It’s back to work for Geoscapes after the 2019 Christmas and New Year break. Happy New Year! The office is busy working away on new project in Queens Park. After our site visit with the client we came up with a wish list and starting to focus our attention on their courtyard. We think this one will come together nicely!

Extensive Green Roof in Crows Nest

Geoscapes went to visit our medium density residential project at Falcon Street in Crows Next, NSW. The build is due to be completed next year but landscaping has recently been completed. As part of the design, North Sydney Council requested an extensive green roof to level 3. We are really looking forward to seeing our design mature over the coming years. Green roofs are a fantastic initiative and can provide benefits such as:

• Reducing stormwater run off;

• Reducing the ‘Urban Heat Island Effect’;

• Encouraging biodiversity;

• Insulating and cooling of buildings which leads to;

• Increased efficiency and reduction in energy needs.

We look forward to more of these popping up around Sydney in the near future!

Stunning flowering plants at Ravenswood Park

The sun was out today at Ravenswood Park, in a sweltering 31C!!!. Our planting design is really starting to flourish and the Kangaroo Paws and Pigface look stunning.

Malabar Design Under Construction

Malabar Landscaping under Construction!!!

Geoscapes landscape design for our private client in Malabar is now under construction. We are very excited to see the results in the next few weeks. The design incorporates everything that a modern beach side house needs. A pool set against tropical lush planting, outdoor terraces, a beach style entry and approach and plenty of chill out areas.

French pattern Travertine paving being laid in the rear courtyard