2022 INDUSTRY AWARDS: COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE OF THE YEAR

Every year Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers present Industry Awards to recognise excellence in Landscaping across a variety of categories. PTA Landscapes were the recipients of the Commercial Landscape of the Year Award for 2022.

PTA Landscapes were engaged by Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College in collaboration with the Melbourne Catholic Archdiocese, to design and construct the Northern Communal Garden and Central Hub. The works were staged over a 3 year period and were completed in December 2021.

Northern Communal Garden

PTA Landscapes were commissioned to design and construct the first stage of works, being the link from the school gymnasium to the sports ground. The existing space was outdated, under utilised and in need of repair after a recent building upgrade.

The area was flood prone and contained a Melbourne water easement that cut through the site . Significant design consideration needed to be given to drainage, overland flow and site levels, and relevant Melbourne Water build-over permits sought.

The finished landscape is set on a diagonal axis, constructed from a series of concentric layered ovals forming the outline, with landscaped surfaces and spaces snapped to these lines.

One side of the area is highlighted with low-level glazed-brick walls of Denim Blue, Stein Grey and Calm Day that provide seating options, offer directional guidance, and generate a flood barrier.

Central Hub

The second stage of landscape works was in the heart of the school and this space was give the name the Central Hub. The intent for the central hub was to create seamless and continuous connections between buildings while allowing for student spill out spaces, opportunities for gatherings and a central meeting point.

The landscape includes a large custom outdoor kitchen fitted with two beefeater flat barbecues, sink and granite servicing space with lockable under bench cupboards, perfect for those sausage sizzle and pancake days.

The central focal point of the space is the "meeting point”. It incorporates a raised spotted gum deck, raised timber clad planters, fixed seating and a large 'urban canopee', offering an innovative solution to help combat the effects of climate change in urban environments.

Feature pots and raised planters figure predominantly throughout the space, the bulge pots are planted with citrus allowing students to grow, maintain and produce their own produce, while the rectangle plants are planted with perennial flowering plants adding colour to the space.

Judges Comments:

Whilst not the largest project, PTA Landscapes has absolutely nailed the quality, design and greenlife for this project. Well maintained with not a leaf out of place, correct plan selection has helped deliver a top class project where the plants tell the story ... and are all in great health considering the area is flood prone.

This job highlights a high level of attention to detail with the cuts and construction joints setting it apart from others as the paving, timber, and concrete work could not be faulted.

Professional at every level from paperwork to execution, the project provides a memorable first impression and is close to faultless as an example of the very high standard of work carried out by Master Landscapers in Victoria.