The design principles and guidelines of Granite Belt Arboretum Australia are outlined in this document. They encompass environmental, social and economic sensitivities with the prime focus of creating an iconic place for serenity within our region. 1 August 2015 Granite Belt Arboretum Australia Design Principles & Guidelines Brett Tunstall and Sonia Ghiggioli
1 August 2015 Design Principles and Guidelines of Granite Belt Arboretum Australia This document was prepared by Brett Tunstall, Senior Forester of World of Trees and Sonia Ghiggioli, Founder of Vine Time and reviewed by Dr Daniel Stock, Principal Scientist of Enviro Stock Consultants. The mission of the Granite Belt Arboretum Australia is to promote the quality of life through collaborative and sustainable solutions to the growing demands on the environment and it s resources. As a serene The mission of the Granite Belt Arboretum Australia is to place of beauty in a promote the quality of life through collaborative and somewhat harsh and sustainable solutions to the growing demands on the changing agricultural environment and it s resources. landscape, the arboretum will provide a microcosm of learning opportunities, in a place of quiet contemplation and will strive to become a place for health and rejuvenation with regional, state and perhaps national significance. DESIGN PRINCIPLES I. The Arboretum will be an integral part of the Granite Belt, linked both physically and symbolically to the surrounding community. Its design shall feature open and porous edges with visual flow into the surrounding landscape, creating a welcoming environment and facilitating accessibility from surrounding communities. II. The architecture and landscape design of the Arboretum shall respond to the cultural traditions and natural forces distinct to the Granite Belt region, it s people, climate, and resources. Design elements shall recognise the Arboretum as a unique entity within the region, while responding to regional design. The Granite Belt has a European feel and has a multicultural country town character and plant species, layout and landscaping will be selected to embrace this. pg. 1
III. IV. The design planning of the Arboretum will follow local council s Southern Downs Regional Council Planning Scheme, and State and National regulations. The Arboretum will be contemporary and innovative through a harmonious composition of disparate elements along the human/nature continuum, from the most clearly human-controlled zone to the most natural demonstrations of ecosystems. Throughout, the Arboretum will serve as a metaphor for environmentally compatible use of the natural landscape by humans. The design expression of the human/nature continuum shall be varied in accordance with the four separate zones of the new old growth redwood forest, the koala forest, the food forest and the oak forest, providing distinction to each zone. The koala fodder forest will showcase three native eucalyptus trees, and become a conservation area for rare Granite Belt native wildflowers. V. Designs for the Arboretum shall emphasise five interpretive themes: 1) Richness of biological and ecological diversity in native and cultivated collections; 2) Stewardship and conservation of soil, water, and biological resources; 3) Demonstration of environmentally responsible landscape design; 4) Restoration of degraded landscapes; and 5) Sustainable land management principles. VI. VII. All development within the Arboretum, including all research and teaching activities, shall be grounded in exemplary practices of stewardship, preservation, and where appropriate, conservation. All elements of the Arboretum, including all research projects and facilities, shall be designed to enhance and contribute to the mission of the Arboretum. pg. 2
DESIGN GUIDELINES I. Preservation, Conservation and Stewardship A. Design, construction, and maintenance of Arboretum facilities shall comply with best management practices for stormwater management and water quality in order to achieve the following objectives: Protection and enhancement of groundwater recharge capacity; Preservation of natural drainageways; Management of stormwater as a site resource through innovations in onsite irrigation, maintenance activities, and groundwater recharge. II. Education A. Projects, infrastructure, gardens, and plant collections should include educational materials that explain both the interdisciplinary design process and the completed project for students (targeted at multiple levels including primary) and the public. B. Whenever possible, designers shall strive to involve students and the general public in the design process of each new project in the Arboretum. The Arboretum will provide a newsletter to subscribers with details of these opportunities. III. Design of Primary Landscape Spaces A. Selection of plant materials (e.g., ornamental vs. native) and arrangement of plant materials (e.g., geometric vs. naturalistic) shall be appropriate for the landscape character of that part of the Arboretum. Species known to be invasive shall not be planted. B. Designers shall establish garden compartments, with strong compositional design within each landscape space as well as visual continuity between contiguous landscape spaces. IV. Site Design of Primary Building Elements A. Architecture and landscape design in the Arboretum will respect the context of the area. This includes the aesthetics, scale, and quality of the surrounding area, as well as the agricultural history and activities of the region. Food forest plants will be selected from cultivars currently growing in orchards on the Granite Belt. pg. 3
B. Landscape elements and buildings, including structures such as parking areas, entry walkways, porches, and terraces, shall be organised and designed to spatially define, order, and sequence these elements and structures with respect to one another. C. Building and landscape elements shall be designed and constructed with a view to their relationship with future elements. V. Architectural Form and Character; Relationship of Interior and Exterior Spaces A. The design of architectural and landscape elements shall respect regional and cultural traditions while symbolising the vision and innovative nature of the Arboretum. B. Architectural design shall emphasize the relationship between interior and exterior spaces and maximise the use of natural light. C. The exterior scale, composition, color, and materials of buildings shall complement and enhance the surrounding landscape of the Arboretum. D. Designers shall use transitional spaces such as porticos, pergolas, and sunrooms to create inviting connections between interior and exterior spaces. E. Educational, research, and social venues shall accommodate audiences of various sizes simultaneously and without visual or audible competition between venues and audiences. VI. Materials and Building Systems A. Materials and building systems shall be durable (to minimize life-cycle costs) and adaptable (to accommodate future change and growth). Whenever possible, these materials will be authentic, reflecting their substance and structure in their appearance, rather than simulating another substance. B. Materials in Arboretum structures shall adhere to Council regulations and standards for construction quality and craftsmanship. VII. Circulation A. The principal circulation system in the Arboretum shall be pedestrian and bicycle trails to maintain the integrity of the site and the visitor s experience of an oasis of green and peace in a rapidly urbanising landscape. pg. 4
B. In general, the circulation system of the Arboretum shall fit existing continuous, curvilinear alignments that evoke a sense of harmony with the natural setting. The only exceptions should be the fire breaks with straightline sections. C. The design of the circulation system shall preserve the natural woodlands, natural landforms, native flora, and native fauna of the Arboretum. D. Maintenance, service, delivery, and emergency vehicles shall be sensitively accommodated in the planning and design of the circulation system, preferably by adapting pedestrian and bicycle paths for their use, whenever feasible. VIII. Signage, Lighting, and Outdoor Furnishings A. To ensure visual unity and institutional clarity, signage, lighting, and outdoor furnishings (such as benches, garbage receptacles, and bicycle racks) for any area of the Arboretum shall relate stylistically to Arboretum standards. Lighting should be designed to minimise light pollution of the night sky. pg. 5
ADDITIONAL READING Southern Downs Regional Council Planning Scheme http://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/articledocuments/423/sd RC%20Planning%20Scheme%20web%20version.pdf.as px?embed=y Further Information Contact Brett Tunstall, Senior Forester Southern Downs Community Plan 2030 http://www.rdaddsw.org.au/fileadmin/user_upload/southern_downs _Regional_Council_Community_Plan.pdf World of Trees www.worldoftrees.com.au forester@worldoftrees.com.au +61 459 987 337 Sonia Ghiggioli, Consultant Vine Time www.vinetime.com.au sonia@vinetime.com.au +61 411 145 508 Dr Daniel Stock, Environmental Scientist EnviroStock Consultants www.envirostockconsultants.com +61 404 087 488 pg. 6