2011 has been another year of success, change and fulfillment for the GOOD MANORS Team. Our Design and Construction teams have completed over 50 new gardens along with 10 new pools and pool renovations. To ensure that these new gardens reach their full potential, the GOOD MANORS Maintenance division has seen some growth with the addition of a fifth team to help keep our 300+ gardens looking the best they can.
As we prepare for days of feasting, family, rest and sunshine (here’s hoping), we thank you for your support in 2011 and look forward to working with you again in 2012. Along with some exciting new pools and gardens scheduled for construction, 2012 will see GOOD MANORS continue to celebrate our 25th anniversary. From all at GOOD MANORS, we wish you a very happy festive season. Merry Christmas from all the team!
GOOD MANORS will be closed from 23rd December 2011 to 3rd January 2012.
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Appropriately celebrated as one of the most innovative urban reclamation projects to date – New York City’s recently completed High Line project is an enormous achievement for its founders, designers, contractors and supporters. Built in the 1930’s for freight-trains, the elevated tracks became redundant and overgrown with weeds following the introduction of truck transport. The wild and uninhibited nature of this self-seeded landscape is apparent in today’s primarily native planting of perennials, grasses, trees and shrubs. The great triumphs of this project are in its details – the materials, the meticulous plant palette, the continuous references throughout the walk to its past use and surrounding environment.
In June this year Good Manors Landscape Architect, Hugh Burnett took a trip to New York for a first-hand look at the elevated spread of native plants, formed concrete paths, and thoughtfully framed vistas. Here are a few of Hugh’s photographs from this visit, we look forward to seeing references to this work in his upcoming designs.
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Here is another gem to visit next year – The Nature Garden Festival held at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire in France. This looks to be an absolute delight for the senses. The diversity and quality of the projects have contributed to the festival’s international reputation. The Nature Garden Festival has become a well-known meeting place for a new generation of landscape gardeners, architects and designers where their work is showcased. This above installation belongs to Artist Francois Mechain called ‘Arbres aux Echelles”, (translated “Trees with Ladders). A beautiful, evocative display inviting visitors ‘to ascend to see the world differently’. The next International Garden Festival will be held from 22 April until 16 October 2011.
Below: “Toit a Terre” by designer Rainer Gross positioned his sculpture as part of the festival against a backdrop of the Loire.
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Music For Trees is a non-profit initiative launched earlier in the year. They put on free live music events that raise money to plant trees in Community Forest Garden programs in Central + South America, Africa and Asia. The purpose of Music For Trees is to make people aware of the positive impact everyday things can have on improving the environment and greater community. In particular – forest garden projects in poverty stricken and environmentally degraded areas encouraging communities to create a more sustainable future. (Read More)
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Inspired by the tent-style accommodation experienced during strips to Africa, Irena and Jeremy Hutchings opened Paperbark Camp almost ten years ago. Set on 100 acres of relatively untouched bushland in jaw-dropping Jervis Bay, Paperbark Camp sets a fine example for Ecotourisim. Options on how to spend your days are endless with walking tracks through the local paperbark, gum and mangrove forests as well as creeks and bays for cooling down. Looking at the accommodation it may be hard to leave the comforts of your solar-powered tent?
Fresh, local produce is said to be at its best at The Gunyah Restaurant, set within the treetops at the heart of the camp. It is inspiring to read the history and sustainable initiatives of the Paperbark Camp – we are again enthused to take a quick break from Sydney for more research on the good life!
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