National Arboretum Canberra
In 2004 following devastating fires in January 2003, the ACT Government developed a proposal for an International Arboretum to be established on a 250 hectare site six kilometres from the centre of Canberra. TCL + TZG won an international competition to design the Arboretum entitled ‘100 Forests’ and were subsequently engaged for the detailed masterplanning and first stage implementation of this important National institution.
The vision for the Arboretum anticipates a viable public destination for the next 100 years. The masterplan is centred on creating 100 forests with the world’s most endangered tree species. The arboretum offers the unique opportunity to redefine the meaning of public gardens in the 21st century. It grows out of the very real issues of sustainability, biodiversity and public environmental concern.
The 100 Forests not only provide a unique experience- of being enveloped in a forest of one species, but are also seed banks for the future. It is therefore a strategy, a program and an ongoing event, not merely a design based chiefly on aesthetics.
Location: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Completion Date: February 2013
Construction budget: $67,000,000 (AUD)
Size: 250 Hectare
Credits
Landscape Architects and Horticulture: Taylor Cullity Lethlean
Architecture: Tonkin Zulaikha Greer
Engineering Kersulting and Don Moore (Playspace)
Forest Curator: Adam Burgess
Irrigation: Austin Goodfellow
Hydraulics: Cardno Young (Playspace)
Artisan/ Sculptor Fabricators: Big Fish and Agency of Sculpture (Playspace)
Play Fabricators: Kaebel Leisure and Play Evoluution (Playspace)
Interpretive Design: Arterial (Playspace)
Landscape Contractor: Urban Contractors; Cord Civil; Design Landscapes; Guidelines; BurHor, Marsupial Landscape Management (Arboretum) and Design Landscape (Playspace)
Marsupial Landscape Management (Arboretum) and Design Landscape (Playspace)
