Free Landscape Design Software Australia

[Berniece Leonhardt]

LandscapeArchitecture Australia is an authoritative and contemporary record of landscape architecture, urban design and land-use planning in Australia. It presents independent reviews of public, commercial and residential work, plus commissioned comment on the issues facing landscape architecture and its practitioners today. The national magazine

for Australian landscape architects, it is published quarterly by Architecture Media. Landscape Architecture Australia is the official magazine of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.

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Lucy and I started working together nine years ago! Gosh, time flies! She had just graduated from the Master of Landscape Architecture from Melbourne University, and we both arrived in Bendigo, ready to work on landscape architecture projects in regional Victoria. I had already been working for five years, but I still felt I had so much to learn from her.

When we first met, I admired her tenacity, her drive and hey artistic drawing skills. I was continually impressed by her ability never to see anything as an obstacle. She was always up for the challenge. What impressed me the most was, as well as learning to be the best landscape architect she could be; she did all this while trying to improve her English.

It never ceases to amaze me when people come from overseas, and they take on the challenge of learning English while working despite apparent obstacles. Once I moved to France, and I started to do the same thing, I gained valuable first-hand experience and insight into these challenges.

Many years later, Lucy's skills are sharp thanks to hard work and determination. She could run rings around me when it comes to managing projects. We recently started working together but this time in a different capacity. Lucy has allowed me to work closely with her to advance her communication skills and in true Lucy style, she's promised to make sure I'm learning too by making sure I keep up with my yoga!

I interviewed Lucy because I believe she has some precious insight to offer other people who speak languages other than English. Importantly she has first-hand experience of coming to live and work in Australia, so she understands how people might feel challenged in their new environment.

Lucy: I did my masters degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Melbourne. It was a two-year course and very academic-focused. Looking back now, I hoped we could have learnt a bit more about how to practice as a landscape architect at Uni, so we could be 'work ready' when we graduate. Outside study, I made friends with international students from other countries. Some of them still my best friends today. It was hard to make friends with local students due to the language barrier, but hanging out with international students from other countries definitely helped to improve my English language skills and to build confidence in communication.

Lucy: I had a necessary English foundation, and I did an English course and a test as part of the requirement for my student visa. The test (which I failed twice in writing) is very academic-focused. I passed the test eventually and got my visa, of course. But, I was not confident the moment I arrived in Australia.

Lucy: Absolutely - the accent and expressions are hard! It was hard to follow on with the lectures at Uni. Thank god I had friends who were attending the same class as me. We could go through the lectures together after class, which helped a lot. It was hard to do simple things for daily life like explain yourself when buying a train ticket or opening a bank account. However, it helped to know other people were aware that you were from a different country, so there is no shame about misusing any words or struggling with expressing anything unclear. Just go for it!

Tara: Sometimes, you have to take your chances, and although it may have been a challenge to commute, at least we met each other through that experience! You told me recently that I helped you with your emails when we first started working with each other. Can you explain how I helped you?

Lucy: You said: "write your email like a letter - keep it simple and professional and straight to the point". My understanding was once I wrote my email, I should read it and shorten it and use dot points where I can. I am still doing the same thing today. I shorten my emails wherever I can because no one wants to read an essay!

Lucy: When I first started working, it was difficult to remember what other person said over the other end of the phone, or even their names sometimes. So my friend from Brazil shared her experience with me. She told me to take note of what I heard from the other end of the phone and repeat to that person and ask them to confirm if that's correct. eg. "You said you want to include this, is that correct?" It worked! I became more and more confident in answering the phone and also conversation with in general.

Lucy: I have been working as an LA in Australian for nine years now. I am registered with the Australian Institution of Landscape Architects. One of the highlights of my career has been in my current job. I am the first Chinese person to run Contract Administration projects. I can see my employer places trust in me, and I would say that I'm proud of myself for this.

Lucy: Being a graduate and someone who came from overseas, in my experience, you can get stuck doing graphics and not often getting opportunities to do design work or project management. I think it's important to raise this issue with your employers in a diplomatic way and be prepared to explain why you are qualified to be given other opportunities or how you can improve certain areas so you will be entrusted with opportunities to grow.

Lucy: I am forever grateful for the help Tara has given me over the years. It was difficult working in Bendigo, which is a country town totally different from the big city where I came from previously. As a graduate, you really don't know much. Tara was a few years senior in her work experience when we started working together, and she helped me with CAD skills, writing, verbal communication as well as helped me to build confidence in working with other colleagues in the office. I also have a mentor in my current company, and this really helps a lot. In particular, in terms of how to communicate with clients, consultants, contractors and Councils.

Tara: What advice would you give someone who is working in an English speaking country as has arrived from a non-English speaking place and feeling challenged at work because of their confidence in English? What sorts of things do you think helped you?

Lucy: I would say to focus on listening and taking note and remembering how other people use words to communicate and how they interact. I think it's important to repeat what they say. Then you can use it next time on your own. Never be afraid to express yourself in front of native speakers. Go for it and just speak! The more you use a language, the quicker you learn it. The work of Landscape architecture covers a wide range of things from planting design to contract administration and dealing with several different stakeholders. They are all very different tasks when you think about it. At the end of the day, we can't be good at all things, but I think it's helpful at some stage of our career to figure out how to specialise in something.

Tara: Thanks, Lucy, for this insightful interview. I think this will be helpful for many people in a similar situation. I couldn't agree more that it's essential never to be afraid to express yourself in front of native speakers and why it is vital to have a mentor to help you.

If confidence with English is something, you find challenging; I also believe it's essential to have someone outside of work whom you trust to help you build your confidence. When you have someone outside of work to practice and discuss the things you encounter at work, it relieves the pressure of having to always perform at your best with the benefit of useful advice. You have the time and space to discuss the things you might not necessarily have the time to address at work. That person can be anyone, as long as you trust the person, and it gives you the confidence you need. I aim to be that person for my students, as I allow them to discuss the tricky questions, to present their projects and discuss the best ways to communicate to get their message across so that they can make the impact and the impression they deserve to make.

Before Mein Rhys and other European based champions of naturalistic design, Edna was encouraging Australian gardeners to make design choices in stark contrast to the flattened lifeless lawns that were being planted around suburban homes across Australia (and the USA).

Walling believed gardens should blend seamlessly with the natural landscape, rather than impose upon it. She favored using native plants and creating designs that looked as if they had always been a part of the environment. Her gardens often emphasized an informal, wild look rather than rigid, formal layouts.

A pioneer in sustainable gardening, Walling advocated for the conservation of native flora and fauna. She often used locally sourced materials and promoted gardening practices that preserved and enhanced the natural environment.

Walling was passionate about educating others on the principles of good garden design. Through her books, articles, and lectures, she shared her knowledge and inspired countless gardeners and designers.

Edna Walling worked during a time of significant social and political changes in Australia and around the world. These changes influenced her work and the broader landscape design community in several ways.

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