Join us as we celebrate est’s top five Australian landscape architect and design firms in 2021.
Over the past two years, our renewed appreciation for the natural environment has had a profound impact on the way we live. Now more than ever, landscape architecture and design are accelerating as a pivotal component of residential design.
Forming part of the annual ‘Best of est‘ series, get to know our top five Australian landscape designers; who share the latest in design, environmental sustainability, and their most treasured garden spaces.
Conlon Group
Describe the influence the past two years have had on your work. And more broadly, on the perception of Australian residential landscape architecture and design?
Marc Conlon: In the short term embracing technology became increasingly important for our business to stay connected. Our projects slowed somewhat for a time, but beyond that, it has had a positive impact on our industry – which is a blessing. Over the past two years, we’ve seen a shift toward people appreciating their surroundings more and embracing nature. As travel lessened, it empowered people’s investment in ‘place’ – creating amazing architecture within nature and inviting the outside in, essentially moving into the natural environment and connecting more with the living world.
What does sustainability look like in your projects?
Marc Conlon: For us, sustainability is a way of thinking. It is integral to design and fundamental to making a project work. Working in our industry, it is naturally intrinsic in our decision-making. For instance, our plant selections need to be suitable for their ‘place’. That is, having the necessary attributes for the environment they will ultimately flourish in. In doing so, they are inherently sustainable. Whether it’s an 800 square metre project built to boundaries or many hectares, we instil different strategies for the long-term success of the garden. Further to that, plant life on the building itself can assist with insulation and can reduce ambient temperature by four to six degrees. This protection, combined with the natural forces of wind, can assist with tempering the environment, which is pretty cool!
What key shifts have you seen in what clients are looking for in the past five years?
Marc Conlon: Broadly speaking, we’ve noticed a shift towards integrating landscape with the built form. A ‘blurring of the lines’ so to speak, between indoors and out. Landscape is amalgamating more with architecture and has never been valued more highly. There is a movement toward horizontal, vertical, and internal landscapes. The landscape is part of the built form and is a considered element of the design process.
Three words that most appropriately sum up your approach to landscape design are…
Marc Conlon: Respect for nature.
The one thing people always ask me is…
Marc Conlon: “What’s the name of that plant?” (laughs). And from my clients, “how am I going to keep my plants alive?”
What is the one key piece of advice you would impart to a young landscape designer?
Marc Conlon: The key to success in this industry is passion and motivation. Without that, it won’t be a sustainable career option. I’d always recommend keeping an open mind and being willing to listen and learn – and keep learning as the industry shifts and evolves.
WORDS Sarah Knight
