Colleges of Science Precinct
Australian National University
The redeveloped Colleges of Science forms a significant portion of the Sullivans Creek precinct of the Australian National University (ANU) Campus. Redevelopment works comprised a campus landscape that improves linkages from the Daley Road student residences through to Union Court. The new landscape works surround four major new buildings: laboratories, teaching spaces and a hydraulic/mechanical plant facility, designed by Lyons.
The project includes the Lindsay Pryor Walk, a mini-arboreta of rare and unusual trees planted by Professor Pryor while at the ANU Forestry School. The Walk features ceramic pavement inserts and bollards fabricated by Wellspring. The Walk traverses the site from the Hancock Library to Daley Road.
The project commenced in 2008 with an initial draft master plan by Knox Associates Landscape Architects, which was then developed into a precinct master plan by the design team led by Lyons with Harris Hobbs as landscape architect, Mott McDonald as civil engineers, Rimmington Associates for hydraulics, and Umow Lau as mechanical and electrical engineers.
Harris Hobbs role was to develop the landscape master plan, and deliver design development and full service documentation for the landscape associated with four main building stages. A subsequent engagement was to document and restore the artworks and assist in procurement of replacement artworks for the reinstatement of the Lindsay Pryor Walk.
Harris Hobbs introduced uncommon tree species to the campus, and have reinterpreted the configuration of ground plane plantings to create patterns of hardy low water use plantings that are developing to soften and frame the spaces. Hard landscape patterns and forms take their cue from the precast facades of the buildings, reinterpreted to follow pedestrian desire lines and to create a variety of spaces for passive recreational use and/or external teaching facilities.
The teaching Courtyard includes a large installation by artist Wolfgang Buttriss, sited behind the wifi enabled external teaching space.