Landscape Architecture Graduate Portfolio
University of Melbourne B.DES (Graduated 2021)
University of Melbourne M.LARCH (Graduated 2023)
mk.
Mary Keyser.
A recent landscape architecture Masters graduate with a driving interest in expanding the boundaries of what landscape architecture can and should encompass. Intergating creative medium, theory and research processes into concept design is a common practice in Mary’s university studio work. Mary enjoys large scale master planning and environmental design with focus on national parks and trail design. Professional work experience.
Education
University of Melbourne, Masters of Landscape Architecture2022 - 2023
University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Design (Landscape Architecture) - 2019 - 2021
University of Melbourne, Ormond College - 2019-2021
Brisbane Girls Grammar School - Graduated 2018
Key Skills/interests
Jeavons Landscape Architects
Graduate Landscape Architect (casual, Feb 2024) & student internship (July 2023)
CUSP Landscape Architecture + Urban Design
Landscape Technician (holiday periods of June-July 2021/22) & student internship (June-July 2019)
Lend Lease (Project Co.) on the Melbourne Metro Project (Feb– July, 2021, 1 day per week)
• Concept design
• Landscape Planning
• Research and theory
• Planting plans
• Hand-drawing
• Mapping and site analysis
Key Software
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Photoshop
• AutoCAD
• Vectorworks
• ArcGIS Pro
• Rhino 7
Bureau Proberts Architecture firm
Student internship, (September, 2018)
Contents
Studio Work
01 Post-industrial parkland
02 Establishing A Forest Ecosystem in Greater Geelong
03 Thesis project: Skyline Passage
Professional Work
05 Birkdale Community Precinct vision board
06 Cranbourne Secondary School Sensory Garden + Planting Plan
Other Work
07 Eltham Sketches
BACHELOR STUDIO WORK
Project: Post-industrial parkland
Subject: Designed Ecologies (Landscape Architecture Capstone)
Relevant software / skills
• Adobe Illustrator, photoshop & indesign
• Rhino 7
• Enscape for lighting/shadows
• Theory-based design
• Site remediation
• Open space planning
The post-industrial parkland located on the E-gate site in Melbourne’s CBD nods to the original context of the site, an old railyard. The exisiting industrial remnants on the site such as shipping containers and abandoned railways were utilised to form the vision for the project. The vision was guided by the theoretical position of the site’s design which was ‘the ecology of aesethetics’. This positioning ensures the design displays the post-industrial aesethetic guiding the site’s ecological processes on multiple scales. The ecological processes include self-seeding and colonising planting which enables the process of ‘wilding’ and succession to take place on site. These processes would be guided by the intervened topography, exisiting remnants and overtime how patrons would interact with and move through the site. Ecological succession is a key process on site as it allowed the selected self-seeding plants to interact with the containers and create a unique inner-city parkland.
01
Ecology of aesthetics on site
‘goats trails’ form on site between containers - ecology guided by remnants containers rust and patina overtime - displays temporality of the site guided by ecology (planting and weather)
5 years 15 years 35 years Detailed Plan Succession on site overtime
N Shipping containers Trees People Contour lines Railway tracks
Sectional perspective of undulating topography on site.
02
MASTER’S STUDIO WORK
Project: Establishing A Forest Ecosystem in Greater Geelong
Subject: Landscape Studio 4 / Strategies
Relevant software / skills
• ArcGIS Pro
• Adobe Illustrator, photoshop & indesign
• Rhino 7
• Landscape planning
• Data-driven design
• Ecological design
The project’s aim was to create a high speed rail corridor with adjacent green infrastructure between Sunshine and Torquay with a selected focus on a local government area. This project, using ArcGIS pro and government data sources allowed for the integration of a managed forest ecosystem in the LGA of Greater Geelong. By utilising GIS software to determine the least cost, most suitable route/corridor for forest growth to be maximised I came up with a design to achieve this. Infil planting of existing green areas via methods of self-seeding, native planting placed adjacent to waterways and suitable forest growing conditions, the design was formed. Zooming in on two areas of interest with Greater Geelong, allowed the design to reflect how these management processes would carry the forest through its first 20 years of growth with less human intervention as the forest formed through ecological succession. Forest growth and reproduction methods were explored such as controlled burning, incubator areas, patchwork management, infil planting and staged/layered planting. From data analysis, the maximised forest ultimately strived to combat economic, social, ecological and biodiversity problems facing Victoria into the future.
existing 0481216 2 Kilometer s ± You Yangs National Park
0481216 Kilometer ± Largest concentration Smallest concentration Biodiversity in Geelong ± 0481216 Kilometer ± 0481216 Kilometer Highest density Lowest density Wattle species ± 0481216 Kilometer Highest density Lowest density Bottlebrush ± 0481216 Kilometer Highest density Lowest density Gum tree species Management Masterplan (1-20 years) Existing forest Additional possible forest connections HSR Area of interest protection of existing Stage 3 & 2Controlled burning of new planting for germination Stage 2 & 3 - Staged planting for burning or new growth Maximising vegetation coverage and biodiversity #1 Combatting climate patterns and energy consumption ($) through greening #2 Forest integrated living and engagement #3 Water for Forest Growth #4 Suitable secies selection for maximum and self-sustaining forest growth Temporal Management Plan 4 Key Forest Management Values 5-10 years BASE PLANTING STAGE SETTING THE LAND FACTORS INFLUENCING EACH STAGE Temperature Canopy Structure Urban/ Pop. Growth Rainfall Wind Topography Solar radiation DISPERSAL AND ESTABLISHMENT (NATURAL AND CONTROLLED) CONTINUATION OF THESE PROCESSES 10-20 years 20-50+ years Establish existing grouping of local tree species and identify ‘gaps’ between Further planting of species of interest to infill gaps between Controlled burninggermination Activation of seed banks and sapling (controlled) Wind dispersal of seed will occur (natural) Seed dispersal via fauna species e.g birds (natural) Climatic influence Management influence Further planting of species in favourable conditions to create ‘incubator areas’ Connecting patches of dominant remnant species Self-seeding species selection Acaciasp E u ca lyptusleucoxy on B a n ksia margina a Callistemon sp Elae rpus ret culatus 30% NW NE How is Forest Growth Maximised? Wind dispersal - Geelong’s wind patterns Staged planting of herbaceous species, smaller plants and well established trees Controlled burning events managed by aborists and council
City of Greater Geelong analysis
Areas of Interest along High Speed Rail route
Stage - infill of existing Veg / HSR bu er Pedestrian / tree covered bridge HSR Stage 2 - Evenly staged planting areas Stage 3 - Seed banks for controlled burning and dispersal methods Stage 3 & - Controlled burning of new planting for germination Stage 2 & 3 - Staged planting for burning or new growth Tree-lined streets extension of the urban forest Watercourse Pedestrian tree covered bridge HSR RURAL
Urban Geelong - Self-sustaining forest growth, (20th year and beyond)
Rural Geelong - Forest management in progress (Year 5-10 of project)
HSR buffer
River Regenerating forest landscape South Geelong N N
HSR
Barwon
Regenerating landscape herbaceous meadow
You Yangs
National Park
HSR forest buffer
Catchment creek off Little River
High Speed Rail
Rural Geelong - Self-sustaining forest growth, (20th year and beyond)
Relevant software / skills
MASTERS STUDIO WORK
Project: Skyline Passage
Subject: Landscape Thesis Studio
Hassell Travelling Scholarship Nomination (2024)
• Adobe Illustrator, photoshop & indesign
• AutoCAD
• ArcGIS Pro
• Landscape planning
• National Park / Trail design
• Seasonal planting, management design
• Theory-based outcomes
This thesis project aims to create a journey-style site which allows for diverse travel, overnight stays and a reflective visitor exploring the intricate relationships that form the fabric of Lake Eildon National Park and the north-east region. This site provides a passage through the skyline hilltops utilising aspect, highpoints and the opportunity of overnight camp sites and day pause points to connect the users to a unique perspective of Lake Eildon’s environment. The journey-style site invites users to consider seasonal changes of the landscape over the period of the journey, observing planting, fauna, use of resources and micro-climates at each hotspot along the course of the skyline trail. As the trail unfolds, the seasonal changes of the selected planting reflect this, allowing a connection to country to be visible, which also acknowledges the nomadic and seasonal practice that guided the traditional land owners of Lake Eildon, the Taungurung people. The diverse visitor is acknowledged in this passage design, allowing for a range of interpretations of the immersive, spiritual and landscape experience in hopes of activating Lake Eildon National Park from an untold perspective.
03
Lake Eildon site visit
We visited Lake Eildon National Park as a class in early August. We understood that Lake Eildon National Park offers a range of experiences through naturebased activity, overnight stays as well as broader regional encounters.
Collage as site analysis
After my site visit I considered the layers, history and stand-out moments over the period of the trip and collated them into a collage. The views from the hilltops stood out to me after camping along the lake. This collage symbolises the interconnected nature of Eildon’s history, topography, vegetation and experiential qualities which form its larger character.
Camping or caravaning
Views of Lake Eildonfrom afar
Views of Lake Eildonfrom near
680m 600m 500m 400m 300m 243m Lake Eildon Peppin Point
Eildon
Candle Bark Lakeside Lake Eildon Skyline Rd Lookout Goschnicks Lookout Stone Bay Campground Briers Lookout Briers Lookout Goschnick’s Lookout Lake Eildon Skyline Rd Lookout Skyline Rd Lookout Devils River Bonnie Doon Devils Corner Skyline Rd SpurTrack 600m 38km 19km 220m 300m 500m LOOKOUTS PHOTOSTORY PLANOFSKYLINERD SECTION
Taylor
Bay
Skyline Rd analysis
Project Statement
This thesis project aims to create a journey-style site which allows for diverse travel, overnight stays and a reflective visitor experience exploring the intricate relationships that form the fabric of Lake Eildon National Park and the north-east region. This site provides a passage through the skyline hilltops utilising aspect, highpoints and the opportunity of overnight camp sites and day pause points to connect the users to a unique perspective of Lake Eildon’s environment. The journey-style site invites users to consider seasonal changes of the landscape over the period of the journey, observing planting, fauna, use of resources and micro-climates at each hotspot along the course of the skyline trail. As the trail unfolds, the seasonal changes of the selected planting reflect this, allowing a connection to country to be visible, which also acknowledges the nomadic and seasonal practice that guided the traditional land owners of Lake Eildon, the Taungurung people. The diverse visitor is acknowledged in this passage design, allowing for a range of interpretations of the immersive, spiritual and landscape experience in hopes of activating Lake Eildon National Park from an untold perspective.
S ky lineR d
Skyline Road Passage Connection to adjacent towns
Lake Eildon National Park Topography
Accomodation // Cabins Campgrounds
Passage: multi-mode travel
MHikingloopsoutainbiketrailsBike-packing
Cooking Shelter Amenity Consider the necessities of everyday life water food connection Humanscale ykS l i neRd Maintongoon Lookout Cabins / Campground Lake Eildon Peppin Point Taylor Bay Skyline Passage information hub Lake Eildon Skyline Rd Lookout Goschnicks Lookout Skyline Lookout Briers Lookout Peninsula Cabins Devils River Bonnie Doon Stone Bay Campground Bonnie Doon Passage Lookout
Communal //
Seasonal cycle integrated into the cultural fabric of Lake Eildon region
Gurru (Grass FloweringSeason)
(Kangaroo-apple Season) Biderap(DrySeason)
(Source: Griffiths, 2001)
Seasonal hotspot masterplan
Each hotspot / lookout reflects a Kulin season represented by planting, ground covers and seasonal activities. It aims to prompt trail visitors to understand availability of resources, change in sensory and visual experience at each hotspot along the journey.
DEC JA M A R A PES O C T
People
I u k ( E e l S e )nosa )nosaeStabmoW(gniraW gniluG )nosaeSdihcrO( Pteenroo T(da lop e S e a s o n ) Buath
The Seven Seasons of the Kulin
Garrawang
Eildon 220m
GolburnRiver
N St t o C ykS l ineRd
GolburnRiver
Maintongoon Lookout Cabins / Campground
LakeEildon
Taylor
Skyline Passage information hub Lake Eildon Skyline Rd Lookout
Peppin Point
Bay
Skyline
220m
Bonnie
Goschnicks Lookout
Lookout Briers Lookout
Peninsula
Cabins
Devils
River Bonnie Doon
Stone Bay Campground
Doon Passage Lookout
Seasonal Hotspots - Planting Palette
Garrawang Season (Kangaroo-Apple Season)
DEC
Biderap Season (Dry Season)
JAN / FEB
Bowat (tussock-grass) is long and dry.
Bundjil (Wedgetailed Eagles) are breeding. Bunjil, the Creation Being, is also referred to as the ‘eaglehawk’.
Seasonal Hotspots - Planting Palette
Guling Season (Orchard Season)
AUG
Hyacinth orchid (Dipodium roseum)
Muyan (Silver Wattles) are flowering.
Iuk Season (EelSeason)
MAR
Binap (Manna Gum) is flowering.
Waring Season (Wombat Season)
APR - JUL
Female Common Brown butterflies are flying.
Porneet Season (Tadpole Season)
SEP / OCT
Flax-lilies are flowering.
Riparian planting e.g. sedges / tussocks
Iuk (eels) are fat and ready to harvest.
Bauth Gurru Season (Grass-flowering Season)
NOV
Hearts of Kombadik (Soft Treeferns) are the major food when no fruits are available.
Waring (wombats) emerge to bask and graze in the sunshine.
Coranderrk (Victorian Christmas Bush) is coming into flower.
Cold weather is coming to an end. Guling (orchids) are flowering.
Kangaroo Grass is flowering.
Bulen-bulen (Superb Lyrebird) males have finished displaying.
Buliyong (bats) are catching insects in flight. Balayang, the Creation Being, is also referred to as the bat.
Kangaroo Apple
Ballart Cherry
Hotspot #1: Skyline Lookout & Information Centre
Skyline Lookout and information centre is the first stop on the journey. Littered with kangaroo apple and ballart cherry the hotspot reflects the Garrawang season and the beginning of the creation story of Bunjil the eagle. The site is designed for high-flow of day visitors, taking in the view and learning more about the national park.
Garrawang Season (Kangaroo AppleSeason) DEC Bundjil (Wedgetailed Eagles) are breeding. Bunjil, the Creation Being, is also referred to as the Kangaroo Apple
Skyline Road
Parking
Lookout and info centre
Hotspot #1: Skyline Lookout & Information Centre
Garrawang Season (Kangaroo AppleSeason) DEC Bundjil (Wedgetailed Eagles) are breeding. Bunjil, the Creation Being, is also referred to as the Kangaroo Apple S K Y L I NE LOOKOUT + INFORMATIONCENTRE RSPECTIVE
Hotspot #2: Goschnick’s Lookout
Hotspot location for day-visitors, trail walkers and mountain bikers to passby overlooking Lake Eildon. The hotspot reflects dry season land management practices in the mosaic patch burning planting arrangement as well as the use of tussock grasses and dry season planting attracting brown butterflies
Biderap Season (Dry Season) Female Common Bowat tussock-grass) is long and dry.
Hotspot #2: Goschnick’s Lookout
Female Common Bowat tussock-grass) is long and dry.
Biderap Season (Dry Season)
Hotspot #3: Peninsula Cabins
Peninsula Cabins offers an established overnight stay for Skyline Passage trail walkers and visitors. Only accessible by foot this hotspot reflects the tadpole season, celebrating Yam daisy harvest time and wetland planting as it is located adjacent to Lake Eildon.
Lake Eildon
Riparian planting e.g. sedges / tussocks Bulen-bulen (Superb Lyrebird) males hav ished displaying. Porneet Season (Tadpole Season) SEP / OCT Yam daisy harvest Rain
garden
Lookout / pause points
Communal meals area
1 bed cabins
Lake Eildon
Lookout / pause points
Hotspot #3: Peninsula Cabins
Riparian planting e.g. sedges / tussocks Bulen-bulen (Superb Lyrebird) males hav ished displaying. Porneet Season (Tadpole Season) SEP / OCT Yam daisy harvest
Riparian Zone
Pathways
Cabins
Hotspot #3: Peninsula Cabins
Bulen-bulen (Superb Lyrebird) males hav ished displaying.
Riparian planting e.g. sedges / tussocks
Season (Tadpole Season) SEP / OCT Yam daisy harvest
Porneet
Yam Daisies
Rain bed
Yam Daisies
Riparian Planting
Communal eating
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE (GROUP WORK)
Project: Birkdale Community Precinct - Heritage & History Vision Board
Firm: CUSP Landscape Architecture + Urban Design
Firm contact details: Daniel Wright (Director) - dwright@cusp.net.au
I have taken part in a range of projects with smaller roles at my time at CUSP however the Birkdale Community Precinct bid for the Redlands Council was a project I was involved in the early contextual research stages and graphic work. This project was an insight into how a proposal evolves, what it means to explore a theme in relevance to the site and how the composition of a design like this takes place. The vision board was guided by historical elements of the original site and translating this to graphics was apart of my task as well as selecting key words and components.
05
Relevant software / skills
JEAVONS WORK EXPERIENCE
• Play space design
• Safe play space design (fallzones, fencing, setbacks, accessability)
• Vectorworks
• CAD survey to Vectorworks drawing conversion
• Concept sketch to drafted plan
Project: Vectorworks Concept Plan & Planting Design
Firm: Jeavons Landscape Architects
Year: July 2023
Design: Mary Jeavons
Drawn by: Mary Keyser
Using Vectorworks I put together numerous planting plans and a concept plan for Jeavons during my internship. These plans utilised my skills in Vectorworks and play-space design.
The projects explored sensory gardens and play spaces for various ages, considering play elements, sensorial experiences and a range of Indigenous planting choices.
06
FH STAWELL STREET
Circular tiered mudstone seating forming a gathering space and audience viewing area for performances Cantilever umbrella shade structure Stage space for performances Small seating nook with natural elements such as rock and log edging Timber decked lookout for views over the garden Quiet seating nook under weeping shrubs Narrow rock steps up to the seating nook Curved seat for sensory play area Sensory play elementwaterplay Sensory play element music speaker Swivel swing Chin up bar Horizontal ladder play structure Vegetable garden nook with vegetable planter boxes and seating Trampoline Stepping stone trail through the trees Sensory play element - music Log steppers connecting playground elements Preliminary Landscape Concept Plan Job No: Cranbourne Secondary - Sensory Garden Rev: Drawn By: Checked By: Bunurong Country Stawell Street, Cranbourne VIC Dwg No: Date: Scale: L E G E N D BUILDING LAYOUT PROPOSED GARDEN BEDS BOUNDARY FENCELINE PROPOSED TREES LAWN COMPACTED GRANITIC SAND SURFACE CRAZY PAVING (STONE) WETPOUR SYNTHETIC SURFACE (IMPACT ATTENUATING TO AS4422) PLAYGROUND MULCH (IMPACT ATTENUATING TO AS 4422) PROTECT AND RETAIN EXISTING TREES DURING CONSTRUCTION FOLLOWING GUIDELINES IN AS4970-2009. (PROTECTION OF TREES ON DEVELOPMENT SITES) GARDEN BED MULCH FALLZONE IMPACT AREA: SURFACES TO COMPLY WITH AS4685 CONCRETE PAVING TYPE 3 EXPOSED AGGREGATE EXTENT OF WORKS SOFT LANDSCAPING FURNITURE FENCES DECKING LOG ROCK SURFACES MISCELLANEOUS PAVING LAWN SHADE STRUCTURES GATES TIMBER LOG EDGING STEPPING STONES ROCK EDGING TIMBER DECKING ROCK EMBANKMENT EXTENDED LOG POLE RAISED PLANTER BED IDENTIFY AND LABEL GATES ON PLANS ENSURE GATES MIN 900mm BENCH SEAT WITH BACK AND ARM REST FENCE TYPE 2 TIMBER PICKET FENCE TYPE 3 POST AND ROPE SHADE UMBRELLA EMERGENCY EGRESS GATE 1000mm WIDE MAINTENANCE ACCESS GATE 3000mm WIDE
Cranbourne Secondary College
Planting plan - Vectorworks
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07 OTHER WORK
Relevant software / skills • Hand-drawing
Project: Sketchbook - Eltham drawings
Subject: Intepreting Australian Landscape Design, 2021
Winner of the Subject Prize - Highest Grade
Drawings exploring the architecture and landscape architecture of Eltham, specifically the work of Alistair Knox and Gordon Ford. The drawings aim to display the overall ethos of the Eltham Community in the early to mid-1900’s when Eltham was becoming an alternative community attracting creatives and environmentalists. The drawings display the rich Australian bush planting mimicing the surrounding Eltham landscape and focus on large windows and natural materials in the housing and built forms in the landscaping.
Eltham Sketches
Alistair Knox’s English House, Eltham. Built in 1958.
63 Batman Road, Eltham. Designed by Alistair Knox, built in 1950.
Alistair Knox’s Busst House, Eltham. Built 1948-1949, garden by Gordon Ford
Graduate Landscape Architect Portfolio
University of Melbourne B.DES (Graduated Dec 2021)
University of Melbourne M.LARCH (Graduated Dec 2023)
mk.
