The Urban Timber Project competition, organised by premium Australian woodcare brand Intergrain in partnership with the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), has a winner.
Nicholas Camerer from Fremantle, WA, was announced as the winner of the inaugural Intergrain Urban Timber Project. The national design competition challenged the new generation of Australian landscape and design professionals to design a functional piece of urban furniture for the community garden in Werribee Park, Victoria.
The winning entry, Hatch was selected by an esteemed panel comprising of renowned industry leaders, including Daniel Bennett – AILA National President, landscape architect, and Design and Transport Manager at Adelaide City Council; Michelle Herbut – Custom Product Manager at Street Furniture Australia; James Brincat, Parks Victoria; and Amanda Chalmers – Senior Brand Manager, Intergrain Timber Finishes.
Nicholas Camerer’s Hatch is a versatile timber bench featuring a curved form and strong vertical timber elements in an impressively simple design. The curved shape has been carefully considered to enhance the communal space, with the timber reflecting the heritage of the garden while projecting its strong, natural and sustainable material characteristics. When not in use by people, the structural cross beams can become a leaning rack for tools and garden stakes. The bench is also designed to be easily maintained and cleaned.
On winning the first Intergrain Urban Timber Project, Camerer said he looked forward to seeing his design brought to life and used in the fantastic community garden at Werribee Park. Camerer’s winning design will be constructed by iconic Australian design manufacturer Street Furniture Australia, before being unveiled at the Historic Farm Precinct at Werribee Park in April 2016.
For his design efforts, Camerer received a $2,000 cash prize, an exclusive mentoring lunch with a renowned industry professional, 50 litres of Intergrain product and a 1-year Graduate AILA membership.
Intergrain Trade Brand Manager, Amanda Chalmers said they were impressed by the quality of the entries, especially the winning design. She described Hatch as a wonderfully thoughtful piece of furniture that will become a place of reflection in the garden, and also bring the Karen people closer with members of the public.
When evaluating the entries, AILA National President Daniel Bennett said they looked for a design that would enhance this special and valuable space in the Werribee Park community garden, especially for volunteers like the Karen people. He added that the winning design by Nicholas was able to achieve this objective.
Street Furniture Australia has generously offered to construct the design. Custom Product Manager and competition judge Michelle Herbut said Nicholas’ design was well-considered with the seats looking rustic and light to suit the garden and the structure, while the pop of colour was a nice addition.
The winning design will be unveiled in April 2016.
