SLS Landscape Group crafted a technically precise, immersive forest landscape, bringing tranquillity and natural beauty to the University of Tasmania – The Forest.

SLS Landscape Group

On projects where landscape is embedded within the building fabric, success requires construction discipline and experience in interpreting architectural intent with innovative, build-able solutions.

At the University of Tasmania’s The Forest redevelopment, SLS Landscape Group delivered a transformative living internal and external landscape that required careful sequencing, technical coordination, and a nuanced understanding of the project’s design vision.

Drawing on extensive experience delivering complex urban landscapes, SLS executed works across multiple zones, creating a cohesive forest-like environment that now sits at the heart of the campus.

“In the Atrium area, we constructed all the garden areas and planting, including the installation of the Stratavault system and forest pool,” explains Dean Harris, General Manager. “We also handled boulder placement, the timber boardwalk, irrigation including the misting system, paving base works, gravel pavement, and concrete footings for the light poles and fallen tree.”

Their detailed craftsmanship extended into the laneway, where SLS delivered garden construction, irrigation and planting, boulder placement, sandstone retaining walls, and additional forest pool installations. In the carpark precinct, they constructed the garden areas, irrigation, planting, timber handrails, and further sandstone retaining structures.

“Working in a relatively small workspace around other trades with limited access provided some challenges,” Dean said. “Sourcing suitable material for the forest pools to ensure they held water was another hurdle. And with the architect aiming to recreate a dense forest environment, fitting in all the specified plants within the space was challenging.”

Designed by Realm Architecture, the landscape intent was deeply integrated with the building’s form and the university’s sustainability-led vision. “What we were undertaking had already been designed to fit in with the overall environment. Realm has done an amazing job,” Dean explained.

For more information contact SLS Landscape Group, 14 -16 Hale Street, Derwent Park TAS 7009, phone 03 6273 0075, website www.slslandscapegroup.com.au