The Australian architecture practice which merged with Conrad Gargett in April introduces numerous landscape architects to its Urban Futures team. 

This addition will further bolster Architectus’ reputation as a large and multi-disciplinary practice driven to honour the cultural and spiritual relationships First Nations people hold with the land and seas through design. 

Architectus is committed to generating a positive and sustainable impact through designing layered and integrated solutions for cities and communities. 

Revered landscape architect Esther Dickins is leading the Sydney-based team of experienced and eager professionals. Dickins is passionate about co-designing with Country and thoughtfully engaging with First Nations custodians.

New arrivals include fellow landscape architects Ashleigh Casserly and Ryan Aldrich, who have also been appointed associates at the practice.

Dickins has worked in the industry for over 25 years, and joins Architectus from design practice Scott Carver, where she directed multi-disciplinary projects in Australia, Asia and the Middle East. 

Since merging, the sectors of focus that guide both the Architectus and Conrad Gadgett teams emphasise the integral role of landscaping in developing holistic design outcomes.

Urban Futures sector leader Dean Thornton says landscape should be seen as synonymous with ‘green infrastructure’, and is no longer a tentative ‘option’ for design, but a ‘must’.

Dickins corroborates this belief, and stresses that the proliferation of higher density living environments means we have a responsibility to design meaningfully and consider ecology, equity, accessibility and culture. 

“In cities there’s growing value on connecting natural systems for sustainability and the value of landscape amenity – we want these green spaces between buildings to sing, just like the buildings themselves,” says Dickins. 

Dickins and Thornton believe landscape architects should be consulted early in a project, as their invaluable technical knowledge will steer the design process in a productive direction towards greater amenity and sustainable solutions. 

“We’re seeing landscape solutions incorporated on rooftops, podiums, facades and interiors – even whole developments are pushed ‘underground’ to create new public space above,” Dickins explains. 

It seems to fit the prevailing mood of the design world – everyone is eagerly chasing restoration, adaptive reuse, and retrofits.

“Even small interventions can make a big difference and redefine the balance between landscape, architecture, and interiors,” concludes Dickins. 

Residential, mixed-use and working projects by Urban Futures will benefit the most from  landscape architecture, as green space can be effectively blended with retail, dining and other amenities.

The practice has already hit the ground running on numerous projects such as Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology (BEST) Hub and Redfern’s Pemulwuy Precinct. 

Photography supplied by Architectus. 

Featured Image: Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology (BEST) Hub by Architectus.

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