cemetery planning

Macarthur Memorial Park

Mar 16, 2020

landscape architecture cemetery project plan

In 2012, The Catholic Cemeteries Metropolitan Trust embarked on an ambitious journey to provide a visionary landscaped cemetery for the whole of Sydney. Our practice was entrusted with the task of designing an inspirational burial place on a large parcel of land (113 Ha) in Sydney’s West. Boasting panoramic views onto the Blue Mountains, Sydney CBD and the Campbelltown Valley below, it sits within the Scenic Hills and surrounds the historic Varro Ville House. The land presents multiple constraints, as is often the case on what is left of Sydney’s land suitable for cemetery development, including steep topography, the presence of Moist Shale Woodland and Cumberland Plain Woodland, heritage curtilage extending beyond the boundary of Varro Ville house, riparian zones and waterways, Aboriginal and European heritage, the potential for bushfires and tight Planning Control relating to the Environmental Protection of the Scenic Hills.

In line with our long-held philosophy that cemeteries should be designed as parks and provide a unique legacy to future generations, the vision for site will enable the client to showcase how a cemetery should be a respectful, emotional, sustainable and resilient landscape:

A sculpture Park, offering opportunities for local and Australian artists
An arboretum for future preservation and education of generations to come.
A cemetery which respects and safe keeps the important colonial landscape.
A concept which respects the Land, its landform and ecology by carefully laying roads and built environment and limit their footprint.
Concealed, private and low laying burial spaces with no visible headstones, to minimise visual impact.

Buildings: FJMT.

Soft Landscape: BOTANICA.

Civil Consultants: WSP.

Stormwater Management: Stormy Water Solutions.

Read more on Macarthur Memorial Park website.

Macarthur Memorial Park

Client
Catholic Metropolitan Cemetery Trust

Location
Campbelltown, NSW

Size
113 Ha

Consultancy Type
Lead- Large multi-disciplinary team

Achievement
Largest greenfield cemetery project in NSW

Model
Click here to see project model

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Garden of All Seasons, Altona

Aug 23, 2018

Garden of all seasons cemetery plan memorial passage

The Memorial Gardens which form the core of the cemetery were incomplete. FJLA was engaged to design a garden which would complete and complement the other “courts” whilst being contemporary in its detailing.
The result was a hedged garden with seasonal theme, ornamental paving with botanical etching [Designed by Florence Jaquet who is also a botanical artist], reticulated and self-sustainable fountains interrupted by a central and shady arbour.
The design introduced artwork from emerging Victorian sculptors and drought resistant planting not previously seen in the park. All this was achieved through comprehensive consultation with the Trust and ground staff.
The memorial garden provides up to 6 different type of ash interments, catering for individuals, couples and families at different levels of affordability.
Our office provided services from concept design through to contract administration. The project was delivered on time and on budget.

Garden of All Seasons, Altona

Client
Altona Memorial Park Trust (now GMCT)

Location
Altona, VIC

Size
0.5Ha

Consultancy Type
Lead- Small multi-disciplinary team

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Wollongong Memorial Gardens Masterplan

Apr 6, 2018

In late 2014, Wollongong City Council embarked on a masterplanning exercise for 2 of its key interment sites, Wollongong Lawn Cemetery in Kembla Grange and Wollongong Memorial Gardens in Berkeley. Its aim was to ascertain growth opportunities, maximise the use of the location and identify areas for improvements whilst providing a financial and environmentally sustainable operation. Our practice put together a team of sub-consultants including Changing Places (operations advice), RSM Bird Cameron (Financial modelling), IGNITE (Architects), Triaxial Consulting (Engineers) and Biosis (Ecologists).
The tasks:

Analyse both the operations and the physical site
Conduct stakeholder’s consultation
Create a vision for both sites
Present recommendations for operational, landscape and building issues
Prepare a staging plan for the implementation of the above recommendations
Prepare a financial model for selected implementation scenarios. The project was delivered over a period of 6 months.

Wollongong Memorial Gardens Masterplan

Client
Wollongong City Council

Location
Berkeley, Wollongong, NSW

Size
7.5 Ha

Consultancy Type
Lead- Small multi-disciplinary team

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Mount Isa Cemetery

Apr 5, 2018

The Vision for the site is based on the belief that a cemetery can be an inviting open-space for remembrance and contemplation for all to enjoy, in perpetuity. Due to the harshness of the climate, it is crucial that it is universally accessible and provided with ample shade.

The Design is inspired by the local patterns within the surrounding landscape: The circular pits of open-cut mines and the intrinsically Outback Australian “drifts” created by vegetation groups, rock formations and run-off patterns which shape the land, also often represented in the local Indigenous Art. A covered walkway which provides seating and shelter from the sun links new burial sections, the Children Section and Pet cemetery. Along its course, a Heritage trail depicts key historically significant graves and celebrates the rich history of Mount Isa.

Mount Isa Cemetery

Client
Mount Isa City Council

Location
Mount Isa

Size
14 Hectares

Consultancy Type
Consultancy Lead

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Yan Yean Cemetery

Apr 4, 2018

Yan Yean cemetery is run by a volunteer Trust with a Vision: to create a memorable destination for the dead and the living. They subscribe to our philosophy : “ a cemetery should be designed as a Park and perform its social function well after it is full”. As such, we have designed a cemetery which enhances its existing attributes (water feature and Chapel) and weaves paths and artwork in key locations. In introducing sculptural architectural and memorial elements never seen before, we have ensured the unique and forward-thinking position of this growing site.

Yan Yean Cemetery

Client
Yan Yean Cemetery Trust

Location
Yan Yean, Plenty Road

Size
5.35 Hectares

Consultancy Type
Lead – small team

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