The heroes of SA garden design
Meet four members of Master Landscapers of South Australia (MLSA), each of whom has a passion for extraordinary design.
Lee Gray
Principal designer
Lee Gray Landscape Design
Beginning her career as a landscaper more than 22 years ago has given Lee a different design perspective. “I draw on my experience in the trade to design gardens that can be effectively and efficiently built,” says Lee. “Knowing impediments the landscaper must tackle, be it poor access, steep ground, or others, has a big bearing on my final design to make sure the construction can be achieved to the highest order.”
Lee works closely with clients in gaining a detailed understanding of what key elements they want included. The professional challenge is to design a sanctuary that matches these aspirations. But while the process for all projects is similar, no two gardens are the same.
“Three words that best describe my gardens: lush, green and layered,” enthuses Lee. “While the plant palette can be similar across several jobs, it is the variation of how these plants are used and laid out that makes each yard look so different.”
Keeping a client’s budget at the forefront of the design is vitally important.
“We estimate the cost of every nut, bolt, tonne of soil, technical officer, consulting engineer and so much more to make sure that when the landscaper and the client get down to pricing, there are no ‘hidden’ surprises,” Lee says.
Lee Gray Landscape Design has developed a wonderful relationship with the landscapers they work with including Habitat Landscaping Services, Little Fig Landscapes, Outback Oasis and Urban Earth Landscapes.
“I love that we have built a family in this business,” Lee says. “Matt, my husband, left teaching two years ago, and now looks after our photography needs along with specialised garden maintenance. My eldest son, Josh, is part of the Habitat Landscapes team and youngest, Evan, is working with me training as a landscape designer. And, of course, I love the long-term relationship we build with our clients. It is very special and so rewarding.”
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Simon Hutchinson
Founder and director
Climbing Tree Creations
Moving from primary teaching to landscape design has given Simon a special skill set and allowed him and his Climbing Tree Creations team to develop a unique niche: playgrounds.
“When I was teaching, I would see children spending less time outdoors amongst nature,” Simon says. “The guiding principle for us is to help reignite a child’s engagement with nature. Climbing is one of the most natural things kids like and should do, so the name Climbing Tree Creations reflects the special experience we want children to have.”
Working with schools to create engaging outdoor spaces, Simon’s first step in the design process is to include the children.
“I am so proud at how we honour kids’ voices in our designs,” Simon says. “While we also include a multi-disciplinary team of landscape architects, architects, engineers, safety and compliance officers, it is the input from the (kids themselves) that carries so much weight.”
By asking children the question, “What do you want to do in the space?” and taking them out into the area to see how they interact with that landscape, Simon and his team gain great insight into how to best turn ideas into reality.
Creating a play space at the world heritage Naracoorte Caves was a recent and very satisfying commission. After coming out of the caves themselves, where it is correctly all about looking and not touching, Simon designed, in consultation with a group of students, a tactile experience that captured the essence of the adjacent caves; a rammed-earth sinkhole embedded with fossils with radiating tunnels allowing children to manoeuvre and pop up around the site.
“The best thing about my job is seeing the joy and excitement as you open a new space and you see a child exploring that area with a look of wonder and enjoyment,” says Simon.
Fossil Hunters Playground.
Amanda Balmer
Director
WAX Design
Predominately a landscape architectural practice, WAX Design works in the field of residential garden and urban design and master planning as well as visual impact and assessment.
“Landscape design is both important and complex,” says Amanda. “It is an opportunity to challenge preconceptions about what a project or outcome could be. We go through a process where all opportunities are evaluated and considered so that we can provide best practice outcomes.”
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Elements such as amenity, access, budget, environment, passive cooling, water sensitive urban design, coupled with meeting the client’s requirement and being cost effective are integral to the design process.
“The best results happen when everyone in the process is connected,” Amanda says. “We typically start with a client conversation involving our design team, plus architect, to best understand how the built form is going to influence the outside space. We do a thorough site analysis to see what assets such as significant trees, recyclable material or existing infrastructure are already there.”
A recent project in Erindale is a perfect example of the landscape design opportunities that present when there is a cross over between client, architect, and the WAX Design team.
“Troppo Architects were working on a new residential build, and we had been engaged to create a number of outdoor spaces including terraced landscapes, a potential rooftop garden and retention of a significant tree,” Amanda explains. “We championed the opportunity for additional green infrastructure … the result is truly stunning.”
Terraced garden at Erindale.
Steve Kindstrom
Principal landscape architect & business development manager
LCS Landscapes
In a career spanning 30 years, Steve’s passion for good design is unwavering.
“I started designing with pen on trace, and still find the best way to flesh out an idea is to sketch and refine, before working into CAD or other platforms,” he says. “Good design is paramount to delivering an exceptional project.”
While every project is different, the fundamentals are the same, with Steve and his team meeting the client, understanding the brief and visiting the site.
“I also like to go to a site by myself sometimes to get a deeper understanding of the space, it really helps me to envision what is possible.”
Specialising in commercial landscapes, LCS is both a design and design and construction company providing a one stop shop for clients looking for a full inhouse experience.
A massive undertaking for LCS has been the West Beach Parks master plan. Included in these works is the recently completed $1.8 million play space.
“This is one of our biggest design and construct projects,” enthuses Steve. “Located in the caravan park, we have created a destination for kids and families. There is a big spaghetti climbing structure, twin tower play structure, double flying fox, wheelchair accessible carousel, and senior and junior play areas. As part of the design campsites were reconfigured to allow this to be developed. It is a brilliant activity hub.”
West Beach Parks.
This article first appeared in the October 2024 issue of SALIFE magazine.
