sym.studio Archive

After recently reviewing the NSW Planning white paper,  it struck me how many times the words economic viability or economic feasibility were mentioned and how little mention there were of other contemporary planning terms, that relate to social and environmental considerations such as Urban Design, Liveability and Natural Resources. So I conducted a subjective word count to discover the following interesting facts:

The white paper ‘word count’ presented the following results:

economic – 82

natural resources – 7

urban design – 1

liveability – 1

landscape – 4

neighbourhood – 13

heritage – 14

streetscape – 1

architecture – 0

engineering – 1

fire – 110

flood – 9

accessibility – 12

seniors /retirement living – 1

There is no doubt that this document is a big body of work which covers a lot of ground and considers many of the complex components which need to be addressed, in order to have a planning system that resembles some sort of orchestrated process. However if this state is still pursuing sustainable development, then the social and environmental considerations need to be factored in equally with the economic considerations. If we are talking about balance, then the white paper has a long way to go.

New research by the university of Western Sydney, focusing on older adults, show the positive link between green space and wellbeing. With more wide spread research relating to liveability, we are now able to make evidence based planning decisions. We have a long way to catchup in quantifying green capital, but one day we will have the tools to be able to apply an economic value (per square meter) on our urban landscape.

There is more to mulch than meets the eye. Specifying the right mulch for your project contributes to the additional 40% improved performance of your garden. The ability for your plants to thrive is not merely trial and error, but a careful assembly of components, that together form an optimum environment for plant growth. This is particularly important when constructing gardens in confined spaces or spaces that are surrounded with concrete and building structure, where the environmental stresses on a plant can be amplified. Careful consideration should be given when trying to design high performance gardens such as Sensory or Memory Gardens where the success is measured by the level of stimulation to the visitor. Traditional 5 senses; sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste. Refer to the following article from Ozbreed. Mulch – The Good the Bad and the Ugly

Jody Summers of Sym Studio was recently featured in the Sydney Morning Herald article, ‘A keen sense of place’ talking about the role of placemakers and growing understanding of the profession.

Jody Summers, “came to place making 10 years ago from landscape architecture and urban design. Her interest developed while working in the US – she says she felt there was “something missing” from the process of building communities.” Jody Summers, 2013

Click below to read the full article and learn more about careers in place making.

‘A keen sense of place’, featuring Jody Summers

Jody Summers is the National Place Making Manager at the diversified property group, Stockland Corporation Limited and the Creative Coordinator for a small design company, Sym Studio Pty Limited. With a design degree of Landscape Architecture from the University of British Columbia, Canada and associated New South Wales University, Jody has specialised in Visioning and Place Making services for 15 years including 9 years in management roles and 4 years in property development. She excels at facilitating creative processes and environmental & community development initiatives in diversified property and business development arenas with award winning outcomes.