Managing director of McGregor and Partners landscape architects, Adrian McGregor, speaks to Kate Gibbs about how the sustainability is increasingly taking an important role in landscape architecture.
What are you working on?
The biggest projects we’re doing at the moment are the green square town centre public domain in South Sydney. Also, the extension and new indigenous gallery at the national gallery in Canberra; we’re designing some new gardens and a new entrance for the gallery. It’s very much in keeping with the existing cultural and heritage significance of the site. It’s designed to be a good neighbour to the existing building.
Any challenges associated with that?
It’s been a challenge to do justice to the wonderful original scheme and to design something that is complimentary to such a high calibre original project. We’re trying to create a new more visible presence for the entrance and more accessible entrance. We’ve been working on that for three years.
What do you like about working in landscape architecture?
I’m very passionate about cities and the environment and I really enjoy the challenges of working with public space and trying to make our cities more sustainable. It’s a real focus of our business — we’re trying to stay at the forefront and have leadership in that area. We’re trying to innovate on environmental grounds. We’re doing Ballast Point in Balmain, which is under construction. We’ve got wind turbines going in, recycled buildings, and waste rubble in the retaining walls on the site. It’s a dream project.
Will landscape architects survive without that environmental angle?
Progressively, environmental drivers will dictate more and more project outcomes. Those who don’t understand or haven’t kept pace will find it hard to compete in large projects and public projects. Obviously we’ve got a growing population, a scarcity of resources, and we’re running out of oil. So humans are going to have to find new ways to build things.
Is the government more active in this area than other clients?
No, I don’t think so. We’re working with Charter Hall, and they’re being very progressive in how they’re looking at the environment. Also Lend Lease is challenging itself internally to try and do better work. Some public agencies are taking leadership. I find it’s more the development industry and certain developers who are really leading the charge.
Is this corporate social responsibility or just cost saving?
It’s wrapped up in the corporate motivations. I think some organisations are committing themselves to move early on the environment, knowing it’s going to be an issue that needs to be dealt with.
What’s the big challenge for landscape architecture firms?
Adapting to a change of economic mood is the biggest issue right now. Also I think how the profession of landscape architecture make a meaningful contribution to the evolution of cities. I think a major challenge for Sydney is how the city can take planning more seriously. How can it look into the future and make itself more resilient to climate change? We have to seriously look at the shape and form of our city so that we can make Sydney more robust. It’s got to be the government’s responsibility. They have to take the leadership. Those in the design industry are saddened by the lack of initiative in terms of driving a vision for the city.
What do you think of prime minister Kevin Rudd’s injection of $300 million into local councils?
I think it’s a really fantastic initiative to allow local government to start to catalyse their urban projects. This start to retrofit their urban space, their parks and in order to catalyse local growth and local economies - it’s a great initiative. As long as the money is invested in public space to drive local economy outcomes.
What’s the future for landscape architecture?
I think landscape architecture has a tremendous future. Because the environment is becoming more of an issue, landscape architecture is playing an important role in terms of assisting governments and cities with planning. I think that is still emerging and the acceptance of landscape architecture at that level is at its infancy. It’s quite exciting.
Adrian McGregor has more than 15 years international experience in landscape architecture, urban design and the environment. His expertise lies in combining development feasibility, culture, ecology and design to create sustainable places in built and natural environments.
