The Festival of Landscape Architecture: This Public Life brought together thinkers and practitioners in Melbourne to interrogate challenges of climate, culture, design and environment for landscape architects.
The Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture (AILA) invited Street Furniture Australia to host an inaugural AILA Fellows’ Lunch. An opportunity to reconnect and welcome new Fellows, the event included the rising stars of landscape architecture, state representatives of AILA Fresh. Held at Federation Square’s ZINC overlooking the Yarra River, an informal Q&A was held through the clatter of enthusiastic diners.
Incoming AILA National Councillor Malcolm Snow FAILA introduced June Boxsell of Street Furniture Australia and co-host Outdoor Design Source’s Emil Montibeler to kick off proceedings. Darrel Conybeare and Bill Morrison, founders and directors of Conybeare Morrison International and Street Furniture Australia, and Darren Mansfield, practice director of Context, joined the dais.
A common DNA through design
Q&As began with the germination of the allied businesses. They share a “common DNA through design,” says Darren, and a “free trade agreement,” adds Darrel, that fosters three-way creative cross fertilisation. Context landscape architects guide the design needs; Street Furniture Australia hones the solutions; while Conybeare Morrison International brings design ideas to life.
The benefits of this relationship are illustrated by Bill, who describes an early bench prototype that was “knocked up overnight” after a frustrated team member decided he could do better than the design and manufacturing of street furniture at the time. That bench was an early prototype for SFA’s flagship Classic Plaza, and the beginning of a seamless design, conceive and build relationship the three companies enjoy today.
From top, left to right:
1. Sara Padgett Kjaersgaard (AILA) and Amalie Wright (Landscapology)
2. Shahana McKenzie (AILA) and Ashley Sheldrick (GBLA)
3. Roger Jasprizza (OCULUS) and Sacha Coles (ASPECT)
4. Tilly Caddy (Emerge) and Nathan Collins (Mesh Design)
5. Shahana McKenzie (AILA) and Jerry de Gryse (Inspiring Place)
6. Philip Coxall and Adrian McGregor (McGregor Coxall)
7. Tony Blackwell (UWA)
8. Jacky Bowring (Lincoln University, NZ) and Katrina Simon (UNSW)
9. Lorrae Wild (VicRoads) and Ron Jones (Jones & Whitehead)
