National Arboretum, ACT

The Australian National Arboretum and Gardens is situated on 290ha of bushfire-damaged land north of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin.

The Arboretum is a collection of 100 forests, each home to a single internationally-endangered species. The species are chosen from the many thousands that are threatened world-wide, and curated according to colour of foliage, pattern of bark and leaf, filigree of branches, scent and texture, and suitability to the local growth conditions.

A simple formal geometry, developed from Griffin’s water axis, interacts with the landform on which it is laid. 250 m wide forest bands are defined by native-planted clearings leading to the lake. Each Forest holds a viable population, creating a seed bank for each species’ native land, so that vulnerable and endangered species are preserved.

By the planned opening of the Arboretum to commemorate Canberra’s centenary in 2013, all 100 forests will be planted, complemented by a major Visitor Centre, the Event Terrace, a regional Playground and the first of the many gardens planned for the site. A full road and pedestrian circulation system will be operational, and a site-wide interpretation strategy will underline the projects long-term ecological benefits.

WTs involvement consisted of the following:

Village Centre: initial cost planning and pre contract cost advice throughout the design process as well as post contract administration duties through construction.

Reflective Pavilion: initial cost planning and pre contract cost advice throughout the design process up to and including production of a pre tender estimate as well as post contract value management duties through construction.

Landscaping (Central Valley / Events Terrace / Amphitheatre / southern Knoll Forest / Car parks); initial cost planning and pre contract cost advice throughout the design process.