7 March 2013 Vision, passion and energy flourishes at Ellerslie

Lincoln University has been well represented at the 2013 Ellerslie International Flower Show, with seven current students receiving awards, and School of Landscape Architecture alumni taking out the Supreme Award, and Supreme Design Award.

Nine student teams from around the country were competing in the Emerging Designers category at Canterbury’s premier garden show – four of these entries were from Lincoln University.

Third year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) students Tenille Picket and Justine Carey achieved a Merit Award; fourth year BLA students Kate Street and Bridget Robilliard won a Merit Award and Merit Award for Lighting; fourth year BLA students Georgina Langridge and Nicola Martin gained a Bronze Award; and third year student Ryan Morton was awarded with a Silver.  
 
Associate Professor and Head of School of Landscape Architecture Dr. Jacky Bowring says the results were a great recognition of the students’ hard work. “We are extremely proud of our students and graduates for doing so well,” says Dr. Bowring.

“We have a tradition of applying what we do to the real world, so as well as theory and practice, students also get their hands dirty – both in a professional setting, and in the construction and implementation of designs. There is also a lot of opportunity to explore creativity, so this sort of exercise isn’t abstract for them.

“I was so thrilled to see how excited they were at judging – their success is testament to their vision, energy and passion for landscape architecture. We could ask for no better ambassadors for Lincoln.”

In the open category, Lincoln University alumni also performed well, with two of the eight Gold Awards awarded to graduates. Recent MLA graduates Rebecca Hammond and Grant Stephens from H & S Landscapes won a Gold Award, as well as the Supreme Award for the Show, and Supreme Design Award for their garden Revolutionising Reuse, showing the use of ordinary materials and the response to the post-quake city. BLA graduate Danny Kamo, Andy Ellis and Weta Workshop’s The Gloaming creator Johnny Fraser-Allan also won a Gold Award for their exhibit.  

A key theme underlying a number of high performing entries was the repurposing of objects and materials. Dr. Bowring says reuse is a strong component of the School of Landscape Architecture curriculum. “Reusing materials matches well with landscape architecture. At its core, landscape architecture is essentially stewardship of the land, so underpinning everything we do is the strong need to be environmentally responsible.

“As well as the reuse of materials, we also saw sustainability initiatives in solar lighting and rainfall collection, and the innovative use of budget materials for a high-end look.

“Good design should make an initial impact, but there should also be a strong message – a motivating force of what the landscape architect wants to achieve. The design should work on multiple levels, which definitely came through in the winning designs.”

A clever use of space and an emphasis on function were also key themes. Dr Bowring says this not only reflects the demands of a modern lifestyle, but also the influence of the changing post-quake environment.

“In the Emerging Designer category, designers were provided a limited space to work with – reflecting the restrictions of a rooftop garden – so we saw an interesting use of collapsible furniture that could change the space to accommodate different needs and activities.

“We have seen this as an emergent theme throughout Christchurch – people’s ability to design and change form and space configurations to adapt to changing landscapes. This shows how students are responding to the landscapes around them.

“There was also a lot of thought beyond just the design, such as the use of green walls and naturalistic plantings for ‘zero-scaping’ or low-maintenance gardens, and herb areas – an increasingly popular choice for urban living.

“This demonstrates a real appreciation of scale and forward-thinking – as well as aesthetic interest, they are also considering energy sources, drainage, and how the space will function as a whole.”

While Lincoln University students are well represented at Ellerslie International Flower Show, entry to the competition is independent of course study. However, staff members are available to assist with coaching and mentoring through the process.

Residential design is just one of the subjects studied at the School of Landscape Architecture, which covers the spectrum from civic developments, urban design, commercial, industrial and tourism developments, and residential and lifestyle subdivisions, to heritage conservation, ecological restoration, urban and rural planning and resource management.

Dr. Bowring says the School of Landscape Architecture is fortunate to have such a world-class event in the region. “Ellerslie is a great drawcard for Christchurch, but it also provides a significant benefit for our students and graduates.

“Participating – and placing – at the show provides a great boost of confidence and sets them up in the profession, as it demonstrates they excel in taking a design from concept to highly finished product. It is also a good benchmark for the quality of our programme – for our students to be able to achieve at an international level while still studying."