Paul Costigan
August 2006
the landscape at Heide
A meander through
the refurbished Heide
in Melbourne.
Has this heritage site a green future?
In July and August 2006, Melburnians celebrated the refurbishments
to their much loved Heide, (the Museum of Modern Art at Heide).
The focus for Heide has always been more than the art within the
three galleries. Any visit also provides the opportunity to relax
and meander about the parklands, to appreciate the ‘architecture
in the landscape’ and to discover the sculpture.
There is no doubt that
the new architecture features are noteworthy, and they make for
some good pictures. However given the beauty of Heide’s modernist buildings,
many will not appreciate the stark contemporary nature of the new
façade and its impact within a much loved heritage landscape.
One wonders whether it is more of a case of the architecture of
the former refurbishments, by Andrew Andersons of Sydney, being
replaced by an in-your-face Melbourne architectural statement.
As for being ‘in the landscape’, well one would have
to agree that it is ‘in the landscape’ just by being
where it is. But it does not seem very sympathetic to the history
or heritage of the site. However, most of the original buildings
can still be seen and enjoyed by roaming around the building away
from the new front facade; something highly recommended.
The whole site was very green and moist on the
day I visited, being a beautiful fine day following several days
of rain. The first impression is that this site has not been refurbished
to take account of maintenance into the future without water. I
suspect that a mid summer visit would reveal much brown grass and
dust. As society and local governments elsewhere come to terms
with more Australian contemporary landscape solutions, those who
devised this landscape brief missed the opportunity to deliver
sustainable solutions for their patch of landscape.
Naturally I was very interested to see the work
of the landscape architects involved, being Elizabeth Peck Landscape
Architects of Melbourne. My reading beforehand informed me to look
out for the gardens around the original cottage as well as significant
new features introduced as part of the new cark park. I am going
to dodge any serious review of their works as the plantings need
time to deliver against the stated aims in both
locations (We should
book a review for about December 2007). However there is enough
evidence to say that the new hard landscapes in front of the main
building (Heide III), as well as the landscape works around the
new car-park have delivered features that the people were successfully
encountering, stopping to observe and enjoying.
The press statements have honoured the donations
for the magnificent Inge King sculpture and the donations that
have delivered the new Tucker gallery; well worth the visit. However,
what I could not find was the donations for the long term maintenance
of the actual landscape features, being the various gardens and
the parklands. Will Australians see the day whereby the taxation
system allows for benefits to be provided for those who support
parklands and other aspects of our built environments?
The use of the main
path from the top car-park was always a friendly entrance complete
with a sign warning visitors to watch out for snakes. Now this
path has been improved and is now used by cars travelling between
the two car-parks. Something you need to be aware of as you ‘Roam’ down
and switch off and begin to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
In my case, I joined several others who were surprised to find
a car approaching relatively fast behind us. We shared not very
polite notes about the situation as we stood aside in the mud.
A new warning sign is required!
Any good ‘roamer’ knows that a visit
to a museum usually means time-out in the café. The Heide
café is still the hole in the wall and will have a successful
future when it is taken seriously by the owners. But alas on the
day I visited, the place was full and many people seemed to be
waiting for their orders to arrive ~ hence I ordered the take away
plastic wrapped sandwiches. Meanwhile the staff were very busy
chatting amongst themselves and were using their wonderful fast-food
training to greet dinners with, “Hi Guys, Howsyadaybeen?” I
resisted!
While Melburnians are already turning up in
high numbers, I recommend a visit next time you are in Melbourne.
The artworks are worth it, the family will enjoy the open spaces,
and the landscaped works will be improving with age. The recent
changes will be the topic of debate, so indulge! And there remains
some of the original planning online, check it out as things have
certainly moved since the original announcements.
Last word: The next refurbishments should be
Landscape Architect led.
links and information
>> photo essay page on on the AILA project pages
Paul Costigan, August 2006
other contributions welcomes - please make contact to discuss the possibility