Jan Juc architect wins big at top gardening show

A JAN Juc landscape architect has been lauded for his unique design skills and awarded with top honours at a global gardening showcase.

Matt York was presented with the Silver Gilt Award in the Show Garden category at the prestigious Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show.

His garden In Ratio with Africa explored the synergies of garden design between Africa and Australia.

The project drew on York’s extensive experience working across Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana, examining how different cultures use light, space, water and plants to create meaningful functional environments.

A key feature of his cross-cultural garden was the inclusion of three rare Queensland bottle trees.

 

The trees, which are inspired by Ghana’s Baobab tree, convey the deep cultural connection both Australian First Nations and Ghanian communities have with their respective bottle tree species.

“Our garden explores the shared cultural influences shaping garden design from the Surf Coast of Victoria to Ghana, Africa,” he said.

“I [was] excited to showcase how resilient design principles from around the world can make a meaningful impact, by thoughtfully considering deep soils, cultural trees, water management and pollinating gardens.”

His design included the sustainable reuse of water to both cool the urban space and enhance the sensory experience.

It also featured a three-metre bird motel sculpture with nesting and purging, a bird bath and wood store for the wood-fired hot tub.

Mr York said local contractors were key to the success of the project.

Contributors included Stewart BuildCo, Cosh Living, Warners Nursery, Kuranga Native Nursery, Speciality Trees, Palm Life, Coolabah Turf, Shapescaper, Nero tapware, Fuegos JL, and Surefire hot tubs.

“This is a really high amenity garden that is compact but also takes on all of those broader environmental responsibilities,” Mr York said.

“What we are proud about is being able to tell a global story but still have that supported by local suppliers and local materials.

“Bringing those two worlds together was incredible.”