Viewpoint Estate landscape design guidelines

ecodesign was commissioned by the Viewpoint Estate in Bass Hill to prepare Private Domain Landscape Guidelines. The aim of the landscape guidelines is to ensure the estate develops a consistent level of landscaping to all homes.

Posted on 12 Jul 2009

National Tree Day

National Tree Day is run by Planet Ark, and takes place this year on August 1, 2010.

Posted on 12 Jul 2010

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority tree management

Our AQF Level 5 Consulting Arborists have been kept busy by the Sydney Harbor Foreshore Authority (SHFA).

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Posted on 12 Jun 2009

Illabunda ecovillage Masterplan

Illabunda engaged ecodesign to assist with the master plan approval for their eco development at One Tree Hill in Winston Hills.

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Posted on 04 Oct 2007

McConnell Dowell Sydney Water pipeline project

McConnell Dowell commissioned ecodesign oversee pipeline installation works undertaken as part of the Sydney Water Western Sydney Replacement Flows Program.

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Posted on 12 Oct 2008

In the Garden

ecodesign’s Jacki Brown puts on her gumboots and heads into the garden for every issue of Backyard and Garden Design Ideas, published by Universal Magazines, to give seasonal tips and garden advice for the In the Garden section.

Posted on 12 Aug 2010

Adrian & offsider Ella feature in Outdoor Design Source

Outdoor Design Source - "the essential directory for specifiers of external works", features a photograph of Adrian and his offsider Ella.

Posted on 05 Jan 2010

Metricon display homes Kellyville

ecodesign was commissioned to provide detailed landscape design and construction documentation for their flagship NSW Metricon Display Homes at Kellyville.

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Posted on 15 Jan 2009

ecodesign contributes to Nation Building Economic Stimulus projects

ecodesign is fortunate to have been commissioned to assist with the delivery of the Australian Government Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

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Posted on 12 Feb 2009

Tree Management Plan for RMC Duntroon

ecodesign completed a Tree Management Plan for the Royal Military College Duntroon Heritage Precinct. Our AQF Level 5 Consulting Arborists undertook a detailed survey of more than 700 trees for the Department of Defence.

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Posted on 12 Feb 2009

Adrian Swain on Channel 7's Sunrise

This morning's Channel 7 Sunrise program with Mel and Kochie featured an interview with Adrian Swain, director of ecodesign, with David Baumgarten from Clearly Business and ESBEC, discussing the government program New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) which helps unemployed people start their own business.

View the interview here.

Posted on 07 May 2009

International Compost Awareness Week

This week is International Compost Awareness Week. ecodesign can provide advice on organic garden solutions, the soil food web, and how to create a productive and environmentally friendly landscape.

Contact your local council to find out what events and activities are happening in your area.

Posted on 08 May 2009

HIA Sydney Home Show

The ecodesign display at this year’s Sydney Home Show was a huge success. The team talked to crowds of enthusiastic home buyers and renovators, who were keen to have their landscape designed by ecodesign.

We’ll be working hard on many exciting projects which arose from the show.

(Those people who we had the pleasure of meeting at the show, feel free to contact us if you have further questions)

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Posted on 08 May 2009

HIA Sydney Home Show

30 April – 3 May 2009

ecodesign will be attending and exhibiting at the Sydney Home Show, which starts on Thursday, 30 April at the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre, and runs til 6pm on Sunday 3 May.

Our display of modern and eco-friendly landscape designs is located near the Sustainable Living Forum at Stand K62. Director of ecodesign, Adrian Swain, will be presenting a talk on the Requirements for Landscape and Arborist Documentation for Development Applications at 5:30pm Thursday, 4:30pm Friday, and 5:30pm Saturday, at the Sustainable Living Forum.

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is a national industry association that has been representing building professionals since 1965. HIA home shows are held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart.

The Home Show is a great place to find ideas and inspiration for building or renovating your house and landscape, and ecodesign’s friendly, professional team of Landscape Designers are happy to help and answer any questions about your landscape.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Posted on 22 Apr 2009

Screen Scene

The current issue of Backyard and Garden Design Ideas features an article with plenty of ideas about screening options in landscapes, written by Jacki Brown. Landscape screens can be in the form of plants and hedges, timber slats, lattice, bamboo, brush, metal screens and fences, brick or block walls, and gabion walls.

Backyard & Garden Ideas is published by Universal Magazines, with much of the content being provided by members of the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM).

Read the full article here.

Posted on 16 Apr 2009

World of Colour

The second article in Backyard and Garden Design Ideas magazine’s Design Guide section comes out this week. There are six topics covered in the series – this edition talks about how to make use of colour and tone in landscape design. Entitled ‘World of Colour’ the article was written by Jacki Brown, with help from the ecodesign team.

Backyard & Garden Ideas is published by Universal Magazines, with much of the content being provided by members of the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM).

Read the full article here.

Posted on 15 Apr 2009

Ku Ring Gai Garden Festival 2009!

ecodesign will again be part of the Ku-Ring-Gai Garden Festival this weekend! The team is excited about displaying and discussing our landscape design work with the community. Come along and talk to our professional team about any of your horticulture and landscape issues.

The Festival also features live entertainment, food and wine, kids’ activities, a garden clinic, and over a hundred stalls of various outdoor products and services. It’s shaping up to be a fun-filled weekend!

Posted on 26 Mar 2009

Blacktown’s Most Attractive Street

ecodesign congratulates the residents of Tate Street, Ropes Crossing on winning Blacktown Council’s Most Attractive Street award in their annual garden competition.

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Posted on 17 Dec 2008

Taking It Outside

The special Outdoor Rooms edition of Backyard and Garden Design Ideas magazine features an article on purpose built outdoor room structures for our great Australian lifestyle of outdoor entertaining. The article was written by Jacki Brown with help from the ecodesign team, and explains the process and design options of creating your ideal gazebo, cabana, or outdoor kitchen.

Backyard & Garden Ideas is published by Universal Magazines, with much of the content being provided by members of the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM).

Read the full article here.

Posted on 17 Dec 2008

Never Say Dry

A special article for Waterwise Gardens magazine was written by Jacki Brown, with help from the ecodesign team. The article gives advice on making the most of water in the garden, with the use of wetting agents. Waterwise Gardens is published by Universal Magazines with much of the content being provided by members of the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM).

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Posted on 10 Oct 2008

Getting it Right

The first of a series of articles for Backyard & Garden Design Ideas magazine was written by Jacki Brown, with help from the ecodesign team. The article detailed the process of engaging a professional landscape designer, and explains the benefits of working with an experienced and qualified professional. Backyard & Garden Design Ideas is published by Universal Magazines with much of the content being provided by members of the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM).

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Posted on 16 Apr 2008

Randwick City Council Tender

In April 2008, ecodesign was appointed by Randwick Council to join the Permaculture Community Education Space Landscape Architects tender panel. ecodesign was required to comply with many rigorous requirements including Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental Management. Our extensive client list and portfolio of completed projects assisted our application.

Randwick Council area is located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, and is one of the largest councils in NSW, with more than 120,000 residents and an area of 36.5km2. The Council covers the areas from La Perouse to Clovelly and Centennial Park. Ecodesign is looking forward to working closely with Randwick city council on Permaculture and Playspace projects in the near future.

Posted on 20 Apr 2008

New Studio Space

ecodesign moves to our new larger studio

Over the past month we have finished the fit out and furnishings of our new office space. Our growing team was a bit cramped in our 35m2 studio. Our new studio just down the hall has around 110m2 with separate reception area, meeting room and facilities. The new office is just down the hall from our old office but we had accumulated a fair amount over the past two years.

We are making good use of the creative space with excellent natural cross ventilation an views to the Blue Mountains.

Posted on 26 Apr 2008

SPUN Seminar

Adrian Swain Director of ecodesign presented to Architects at the Sydney Upper North Small Practices Network Meeting. As a landscape designer and consulting arborist Adrian spoke about the challenges of creating sustainable gardens and shared his experience in preparing council applications and arborist reports.

Adrian regularly speaks to industry groups and events on various topics relating to landscape design, arboriculture and natural resource management.

Posted on 26 May 2008

Waverley Council Tender

ecodesign has been appointed by Waverley Council to join the tender panel for Consulting Arboricultural Services.ecodesign was required to comply with many rigorous requirements including Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental Management. Our extensive client list and portfolio of completed projects assisted our application.

The Waverley Council Area is located on Sydney’s eastern seaboard, approximately seven kilometres from the central business district. It includes the localities of Bondi Junction, Queens Park, Bronte, Waverley, Bondi, North Bondi, Tamarama, Dover Heights and parts of Rose Bay. Waverley Council has an area of 9.3 square kilometres (km2) and a population density of 7333 people per km2 .Waverley is the most densely populated LGA in Australia after the City of Sydney.

Posted on 27 May 2008

Outer Limits

The second in a series of articles for Backyard & Garden Design Ideas magazine was written by Jacki Brown, with help from the ecodesign team. The article gives advice on identifying and working within the limiting constraints of your site when preparing a landscape design. Backyard & Garden Design Ideas is published by Universal Magazines with much of the content being provided by members of the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM).

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Posted on 16 Jun 2008

Formal Flair

A recently completed front yard garden makeover was featured in the Backyard & Garden Design Ideas magazine Issue 6.3. Director of ecodesign, Adrian Swain, explains the design intent of the lush formal landscape, and describes the materials and plants used to achieve the resulting fresh and modern outdoor space.

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Posted on 16 Jun 2008

ecodesign Wins!

ecodesign was honoured to be one of the recipients of the prestigious AILDM national landscape designs awards for our Beecroft Landscape Design Under $25,000. The awards evening was a sensational night with all members of the office team and their partners in attendance. Thanks to our fantastic Clients Brenda and Charles who, with help from Charles’s father, constructed, installed and maintained the garden to its current state.

Photos and Judges comments from Stuart Pittendrigh can be viewed at the AILDM website.

Posted on 21 Jun 2008

From the Ground Up

The third in a series of articles for Backyard & Garden Design Ideas magazine was written by Jacki Brown, with help from the ecodesign team. The article gives advice on the most fundamental part of a garden – the soil. Backyard & Garden Design Ideas is published by Universal Magazines with much of the content being provided by members of the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM).

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Posted on 16 Aug 2008

Permaculture North wins Gold !

ecodesign assisted Permaculture North with the design and drafting of their Gold Award winning Display Garden at the ABC Gardening Australia Expo. We also assisted with the procurement and delivery of the construction materials.

ecodesign is proud to help Permaculture North as Permaculture provides a valuable community resource. ecodesign works regularly on selected community based projects pro bono basis when funding is limited.

Permaculture North is a group of over 350 people based in Sydney, Australia with an amazing array of skills in self reliance, energy & water conservation, qualified permaculture design and teaching.

Posted on 26 Aug 2008

The NPA Bioblitz

On Sunday, 28th of September ecodesign director Adrian Swain volunteered his knowledge of natural environments to participate as a Team Leader in the inaugural BioBlitz at Federal Park in Glebe. The BioBlitz surveyed the plants and wildlife of five different parks in Sydney to collect data on the biodiversity in our city.

A BioBlitz is a 24-hour inventory of all living organisms in a given area, often an urban park. The term "BioBlitz" was coined by National Park Service naturalist Susan Rudy while assisting with the first BioBlitz at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Washington D.C. BioBlitz in May 31 - June 1, 1996.

The event was featured in an article in the Sunday Telegraph.

National Parks Association

Posted on 28 Sep 2008

Northside Garden Fair

ecodesign provided a display of our landscape design plans at the inagural Northside Garden Fair, which is run by Northbridge Rotary Club as part of the Willoughby City Spring Festival.

We found the day to be enjoyable and look forward to a bigger, brighter and less windy fair in 2009.

Posted on 29 Sep 2008

Water Tight

The fourth in the ‘Back to Basics’ series of articles for Backyard & Garden Design Ideas magazine was written by Jacki Brown, with help from the ecodesign team. The article is about water use and conservation in the garden. Backyard & Garden Design Ideas is published by Universal Magazines with much of the content being provided by members of the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM).

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Posted on 16 Oct 2008

DesignEX Sydney 2008

ecodesign exhibited at the DesignEX trade show which was held across the 5 halls of the Darling Harbour exhibition and convention centre. DesignEX is the premier trade-only exhibition of interiors, architecture and design.

ecodesign was proud to be part of the Design for Sustainability (D4S) section where we exhibited alongside the latest sustainable products and pioneering services for the architectural, design and building industries.

Alpine Nurseries and The Brick Pit helped to make our display by supplying plant materials and recycled sandstock bricks.

See the photos here.

Posted on 08 Apr 2008

Green and Renewable Energy Exhibition

June 1-3, 2007

ecodesign set up our display within the Australian Technology Park, a stunning example of adaptive reuse and the perfect setting for a Green Building and Renewable Energy Conference. From the 1st to the 3rd of June we networked with other like minded professionals and made many valuable contacts.

GREX has since rebranded to become the Australia Green 4th National Green Build, Design and Technology Show to be held in Darling Harbour at the Bayside Grand Hall.

See the photos of our display here.

Posted on 01 Jun 2007

Adrian Swain Vice President of AILDM

Director of ecodesign Adrian Swain was voted in as Vice President of the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM). AILDM is a national professional association of qualified landscape practitioners, which contributes to the professional development of landscape designers and managers and raises the profile of the industry.

Adrian is proud to be able to contribute to the development of the landscape and landscape design industry in this way.

More information regarding AILDM can be found on their website.

Posted on 29 Oct 2007

New Staff Member: Jacki

ecodesign welcomes a new member of the team. Jacki has been working as a horticulturist for 2 years. With an Arts degree in English and Psychology, a Diploma of Horticulture (Landscape Design) and Certificate 3 in Natural Area Restoration (Bush Regeneration), Jacki will be a valuable member of our design and consultancy team.

Posted on 16 Nov 2007

Make Light Work

ecodesign was featured in the “Essential” renovation section of the Sydney Morning Herald, in an article about pergola design. The article talks about making the most of sunlight in an outdoor space, and design of shade structures to provide comfortable, functional outdoor areas.

ecodesign regularly designs decks and pergolas of all shapes and sizes. We also prepare council development applications and assist with selecting the right contractor to build it for you too.

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Posted on 07 Feb 2008

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority Tender

In February 2008, ecodesign was appointed by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) to join the consulting Arborist Advisory panel. ecodesign was required to satisfy the rigorous tender requirements including demonstrating a history of and references from past projects where similar services have been provided.

The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority is a state government department which manages the public cultural and heritage assets of Sydney Harbour areas including The Rocks, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Pyrmont.

The team at ecodesign looks forward to commencing work with the SHFA in March 2008, providing specialist consulting arboricultural services for the ongoing and sustainable management of the Sydney Harbour foreshore trees.

Posted on 21 Feb 2008

Ku Ring Gai Garden Festival 2008

On the last weekend of March, 2008, ecodesign displayed their landscape designs at the Ku Ring Gai Garden Festival. The team enjoyed speaking to members of the community and other exhibitors about landscape design, horticultural services, arborist reports, and gardening issues.

The festival has been held every year since 2005 at St Ives Showground, and is organised by Ku Ring Gai Rotary Club. This year more than 6000 people attended the festival celebrating the community, lifestyle and environment of Ku-ring-gai.

We are looking forward to another successful display in 2009.

Posted on 29 Mar 2008

AILDM Seminar

As the Director of ecodesign and a member of the AILDM National Council Adrian Swain presented this seminar on Business Systems and Design Office Management.

AILDM provides opportunities for continuing professional development for its members by running seminars that relate to landscape design and mangement.

Posted on 24 Aug 2007

Welcome to the ecodesign Web BLOG

With such a vibrant, dynamic and exciting design practise we wanted to relay some of the events, achievements and milestones that we encounter from time to time.

If you would like further information about any article or event please feel free to contact our Sydney Australia office on 612 9871 7701 or info@ecodesign.com.au and we can answer your query promptly.

You will notice that there is a bit of a backlog of articles and the dates may not correspond however we believe that good plans should have careful consideration which we hope you will also find.

Posted on 18 Oct 2008