The National Arboretum, Canberra
The Village Centre is the main point of arrival for the National Arboretum Canberra. The building is a sculptural form in the rolling topography of the site, contrasting low stone-clad wings with a high arching roof, clad in weathered zinc, the form of which is inspired by the fronds of the adjoining forest of Chilean Wine Palms.
A carefully choreographed arrival sequence, through forests and the sculpted landforms of the Central Valley, climbs to the Arboretum’s ‘heart’ – the arching canopy of the Village Centre and the dramatic focus of the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion, arranged along the multi-use Events Terrace.
A ‘seamless’ collaboration between TZG and TCL created the strategic concept for the project, with each practice following their lead discipline in the design of the buildings and the design of the landscape. The Arboretum engages physically and culturally with the people of Canberra, and will grow with them into the future.
The selection of the 100 tree species involved a panel of leading arborists and ecologists, whilst the major water system, the new roads and carparks and the site preparation and planting all demanded leading expertise and long-term commitment from the ACT Government and a wide range of consultants and contractors.
The project has established world-wide connections through the value of its collection, preserving the biodiversity of the planet and offering an important research base.
Awards
2014, AIA ACT Awards, Sir John Overall Award for Urban Design.
2014, AIA ACT Awards, Canberra Medallion.
2014, World Architecture Festival, Landscape of the Year.
2013, AIA ACT Awards, Romaldo Giurgola Award for Public Architecture.
2013, Australian Timber Design Awards, Excellence in Timber Design Award: Public or Commercial Buildings.
2013, Australian Timber Design Awards, Best Central Regional (ACT & NSW).
2013, Australian Timber Design Awards, Excellence in the Use of Timber Products: Australian Certified Timber.
2013, Australian Timber Design Awards, Excellence in the Use of Timber Products: Engineered Timber Products.
2011, AILA Victoria Awards, The Victoria Medal for Landscape Architecture.
2005, ACT Government “Shaping Our Territory” Competition, Winner.
Team
Peter Tonkin, John Chesterman, Juli Hallmann, Wolfgang Ripberger, Trina Day, Anton Van den Berg.
Collaborators
Taylor Cullity Lethlean.
Consultants
AWT Consulting Engineers, Project Coordination Pty Ltd, May Horticulture Services, Cardno Young, CBRE Australia, Bluebottle, Goodfellow and Associates, David Lancashire Design, Thylacine Exhibition Preparation, Cardno ITC, Australian Planting Design, Hortus Design, Surface Design, JRA Canberra, GHD, Planning for Plants, EMA, Bigfish, Agency of Sculpture and Arterial Design.
Photographer
Brett Boardman, John Gollings.
