Architectural practices submit designs for regional NSW Botanic Garden

Five architectural practices have been selected to submit designs for the planned new visitor centre in the Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens in Bowral, NSW.

CHROFI, Fender Katsalidis Architects, Hassell, John Wardle Architects and Tonkin Zulaikha Greer have been picked to submit designs for the visitors centre, which aims to provide improved visitor services to help fund the overall growth of the gardens.

The winning practice will be given the chance to collaborate with Taylor Cullity Lethlean (TCL)  to implement the visitors centre design, with the new centre to be located at the heart of the TCL garden.

Commenting on the overall shortlist, Gardens Chairperson, Charlotte Webb stated “we are delighted that architects of this calibre are participating.”

Opened in late 2013, the Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens are still growing and developing as part of a process that will span decades and focus on collecting and establishing a wide variety of exotic and native plants.

By incorporating the visitors centre into the design of the gardens, it is hoped that establishing a regular, and largely self-sustainable, income stream will help the gardens secure this botanic process.

Webb added “many established botanic gardens in Australia and overseas suggest that early construction of a visitor centre can provide income through retail sales and associated services as well as offering visitors a greatly enhanced experience.

“We are confident that the visitor centre (design) that emerges from the competition will become a landmark and a talking point in the Southern Highlands creating a new gateway to a unique Highlands landscape experience and a key regional destination.”

The final entries will be submitted on 23rd June and subjected to a jury evaluation. The jury will be chaired by Architectus principal Elizabeth Watson-Brown, and include a range of industry leaders and two members of the Botanic Garden team.

The successful entry will see their design scheduled for construction in 2018/19, subject to securing of funding.

Images: The South Highlands Botanic Garden (top) and TLC's masterplan for the Gardens (below).

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