Design By Nature

Mooroopna North Primary School has been a great project. Partly because we've been able to explore design ideas in a relatively natural setting (rare in the Goulburn Valley) and partly because of the co-operation we've had from the principal and the school community.

We were able to create a landscape using compacted gravel surfaces combined with landscape features such as the entrance wall and seating. I think this really enhances the existing natural environment of mature Grey Box and Red Gum trees leading down to the natural wetland which is the backdrop to the school. We have also used approximately ninety percent indigenous species in the planting.

The children, Molly and the native birds all seem to be happy.

After a few episodes of soaking rain, the garden is coming to life again.

The endemic species don't seem to have a dormant period with something happening to their growth habit all year round.

The Red Box especially are looking fantastic with their blue/grey penny shaped leaves, they are perfectly adapted to our extreme weather conditions here in Rushworth and create a fantastic contrast to other species such as the strappy foliage of Dianella revoluta. These species co-habit in the natural environment and together make a simple but beautiful landscape. I'm also pretty happy that the ground is a bit softer so I can finish some of my works in progress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Landscpaing around this pool was an epic effort as we covered over 70 square metres of ground with heavy pieces of recycled concrete from the local tip.

The effect is crazy! It is also low maintenance with the surrounding garden beds planted with food producing plants such as Citrus, Herbs, Olives and Pineapple Guava.

Here’s a photo of the famous Molly in our recently finished court-yard at the Community House.

This area was the size of an atom so two people and a dog filled the space completely.

We gutted the existing miniature lawn and replaced it with recycled paving and stone seating to allow up to twelve people to sit comfortably.

We also comissioned Esther Costa (my Mum) to paint portraits of six of the best known Comm House celebreties to create a mimi gallery.