Teaching

We’re passionate about the future of our industry and that’s why we go back to school. By going back and teaching the next generation, we’re ensuring that new designers will design great places in Australia and around the world.

Over the last few years we have provided guest critiques and lectures at the University of Melbourne, the University of NSW, RMIT University, the University of Adelaide and Victoria University – Wellington.

Examples of our latest activities are:

Kirsten Bauer (Studio Director)

The University of Melbourne, School of Design - Dean’s Honours Awards for Excellence in Teaching (2011)

Guest speaker at The Meaning of Light’ hosted by Electrolight as part of Federation Square’s The Light in Winter Festival (2011)
Presented at the University of Adelaide Landscape Architecture and Urban Design speaker series, (2011)

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Sacha Coles (National Studios Director)
UNSW presentation, “Designing Public Spaces’ from an integrated landscape perspective (2011)
IFLA World Congress ‘Topos Seminar’, Zurich (2011)  Unlandscaped Jury Panel (2010)

Academic Advisory Council; University of New South Wales (2010)
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Kate Luckraft (Studios Director)

Woollongong University 'the importance of nature in play', (2010)

Parks and Leisure Conference Albury, 'Potential for Water Play in Australia' (2010)
AILA Workshop, 'Potential for Water Play in Australia', (2010)

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Jesse Sago (Studio Director)
Banyule DPCD workshop (2011)

The University of Melbourne - Dean’s Honours Awards for Excellence in Teaching (2011)

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Warwick Savvas (Senior Associate)
Guest Critic and Lecturer, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, the University of Melbourne (2008–09)

David Duncan (Associate)
Green wall presentation to AIA (2009)

Erwin Taal (Associate)
Lecturer, tutor and guest critic, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, the University of Melbourne (2002–09)
Guest critic and lecturer, School of Landscape Architecture, RMIT University (2007–09)

Blake Farmar-Bowers (Landscape Architect)
Lecturer, tutor and guest critic, School of Landscape Architecture, RMIT University (2001–09)

Philip Greenwood (Senior Developer)
Guest lecturer, Department of Geomatics, the University of Melbourne (2008)
Gaming technology in urban planning and infrastructure, MODSIM (2009)
Using game engines for real time 3D visualisations in planning and infrastructure, OzViz (2009)

Pro Bono and Community Projects

We understand that many organisations and communities can’t afford the landscape services that they deserve, and we have undertaken numerous pro-bono and community projects including:

Walsingham Preschool – A rich community learning environment provided on a modest, not for profit budget, using sustainable materials.

Wugularr School – The new school in the NT is seen as a great resource for a community not only as a school, but as a community facility that stages performances and sporting and cultural events.

Fochta – ASPECT Studios assisted Sam Crawford Architects in the design of a community library and education facility in Malawi.

SDN Childcare Centre, Surry Hills - developed the upgrade of the outdoor space to remove old structures and paved areas to create a stimulating play environment for pre-school children. 

James Street Community Garden - Vibrant garden in Redfern, brought to life, loved and used by the diverse local community, Sacha Coles (National Studios Director) is on the committee. http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/html/4243-community-garden-network-is-growing.asp
Street Works - An initiative generated by ASPECT Studios for the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) NSW and supported by the City of Sydney. It is a multi-disciplinary competition inviting landscape architects, architects, artists, musicians, digital media and other design professionals to transform six public spaces. http://www.streetworks.org.au/

Environment Policy

ASPECT Studios is dedicated to ensuring the services we provide for landscape architecture, urban design, urban planning and digital media promote best practice in the development of environmentally sensitive projects. Our consultative approach focuses on:

• Ensuring projects are site specific and sensitive to the local climate and environment
  Minimising environmental impacts
  Promoting the stewardship of the landscape and earth we inhabit, and
  Being sympathetic to the environmental needs of society and nature.
• ASPECT Studios is conscious of our carbon footprint. In addition to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions wherever possible, we offset any remaining emissions from our energy consumption, air travel and road travel with Greenfleet.
• ASPECT Studios is aware of and supports the environment policy and landscape charter adopted by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) and the various sustainable and liveable communitiy policies adopted by the Planning Institute of Australia.
• Beyond the above we undertake a number of initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint in our offices and in the delivery of projects.

Always Innovating

To make sure that our services are on the leading edge of forward thinking, we spend time researching new techniques from around the world.

It was through this research that we came to the conclusion that the future of design would increasingly be within the digital realm. Not just beautiful 3D renders, we believed that high-end interactive digital media would be the future. That’s why we have devoted our resources and time to focus our efforts on virtual reality or real-time 3D solutions.

Our Digital Studio consolidated its research and development to release an interactive 3D platform for the urban design and planning industries, The ASPECT Studios 3D Viewer. Some example projects are listed under the project section, virtual reality category.

Beyond 9 to 5

We’re community too. After hours, and before hours, we’re participating in our own ways, whether it’s guerrilla gardening or making the ‘Bustle’, a taut soft material intervention into the urban landscape. We’re working in our own communities, and on what is important to us. It’s a life-style choice of which we’re proud.