Lydia Alford

An extension of nature: Re-Inviting the Australian landscape back into Preston

The project aims to bring the landscape back into Preston and using architecture as a mean of facilitating this dialogue between humans and nature. Acknowledging the indigenous history of the site, the project aims to rejuvenate the landscape, reconnect humans back to nature, reinstate this ecological responsibility we as human have to take care of the land we share. The project draws on inspiration from native plantings from Merri Creek its surroundings on Wurundjeri country, the Australian wool shed, Australian vernacular architecture in particular the stone huts on Gundijimara country and the design principles which underpin their design as well as Australian architects such as Glenn Murcutt, Gabriel and Elizabeth Pool, Richard Leplastrier, Brit Andresen, Peter Stutchbury and Lindsay Johnston. The project takes a Country-focused design approach, as opposed to a purely human-centred approach - that is, considering ecological systems that include people, animals, resources and plant equally.