Jeavons Landscape Architects

19/06/2025

We are delighted to announce that Jeavons received a Commendation in the 2025 Learning Environments Australasia Awards.

Melton Specialist School
Commendation: Landscaping / Outdoor Learning Area

“Jeavons Landscape Architects clearly understood & adhered to the Melton Specialist School educational brief for this project. The design of the Early Years Outdoor Learning Area has created sensory rich, outdoor, play/learning areas for the students. Spaces have been redefined, enabling students to move beyond their ‘built’ classrooms into engaging places where their broad spectrum of needs can be met whilst ensuring safety, accessibility, ease of circulation as well as vital line of sight for educators.”
-Award Jury

“The hammock swing, tactile paths and surfaces, in-ground trampolines, pebble creek with water pump and quiet niche spaces all provide differing sensory inputs for student engagement with each other and with themselves. The original brief of repurposing and developing an outdoor play area was certainly surpassed with the school now having a sensory rich, engaging outdoor world that has transformed the educational & aesthetic landscape of the entire school.”
-Award Jury

Thank-you to Melton Specialist School and all our collaborators for their work on this project.

Landscape Contractor – hallmarklandscapes
Access and Inclusion Consultant – Helen Fearn-Warren from Access and Architecture
Structural and Civil - Structcom Engineers
Play Equipment - Lark Industries , Allplay, Adventure+ Playgrounds
Photography - Jeavons Landscape Architects

12/06/2025

A big thank-you to everyone who joined us for last month’s seminar, Landscape Design for Children’s Wellbeing. The outdoor environment is fundamentally important in the design of schools and early childhood settings, and it was fantastic to see so many different practitioners engaging with how we develop these spaces and programs.

The day was a wonderful opportunity to connect with everyone and share the insights of our knowledgeable speakers:
Sigi Hyett and Linda Hyett - Northern Schools Early Years Cluster
Debby Maziarz - www.debbymaziarz.com.au
Angela Tieman - www.sensoryhealthmatters.au
Mary Jeavons – www.jeavons.net.au

Thank-you to AILA VIC Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and Play Australia for supporting this year’s seminar.

05/05/2025

It's the final week to purchase your tickets for the 2025 Jeavons seminar, Landscape Design for Children's Wellbeing. Ticket sales close midnight this Sunday, 11th of May.

Find tickets and event details here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/landscape-in-schools-a-children-first-approach-tickets-1204476554799?aff=facebook

Our seminar will feature a range of inspiring speakers sharing their knowledge on outdoor play spaces in schools and early learning settings. We'd love to see you there.

Friday, 16th May 2025
8:30am - 4pm AEST
In-person and online

View the full program here:https://jeavons.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/JeavonsLandscapeArchitects-Seminar-16thMay2025-V1.pdf

We are proud to have this seminar supported by Play Australia and AILA VIC Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. For attending Landscape Architects this seminar is approved for 6 AILA CPD points.

14/04/2025

The outdoor environment is fundamentally important in the design of schools and early childhood settings for many reasons. Until the age of around eight years, children experience massive brain development, and outdoor play contributes to every aspect of child development in this crucial window of time.

The outdoors offers children opportunities to test their physical development, to master skills and challenges, and to develop strength, fitness, and resilience. When outside, children also discover creative and sensory experiences and opportunities for open-ended, imaginative, and unstructured play.

Jeavons have over 30 years’ experience in the planning and design of outdoor environments in educational settings, as well as advocacy for the significance of nature and outdoor play for children.

In our upcoming Seminar our knowledgeable speakers will explore the benefits and importance of well-designed children’s play spaces.

Landscape Design for Children’s Wellbeing
A one-day seminar

Friday, 16th May 2025
8:30am - 4pm AEST
In-person and online

View the full program here:https://jeavons.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/JeavonsLandscapeArchitects-Seminar-16thMay2025-V1.pdf

Find tickets and event details here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/landscape-in-schools-a-children-first-approach-tickets-1204476554799?aff=facebook

We are proud to have this seminar supported by Play Australia and AILA VIC Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. For attending Landscape Architects this seminar is approved for 6 AILA CPD points.

Landscape Design for Children's Wellbeing - a one day seminar, in person and online

27/03/2025

Early Bird ticket sales for our 2025 seminar close this Monday 31st of March. If you were thinking of joining us this year, you still have a few days to take advantage of the discount!

Find tickets and event details here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/landscape-in-schools-a-children-first-approach-tickets-1204476554799?aff=facebook

Our seminar will feature a range of inspiring speakers sharing their knowledge on outdoor play spaces in schools and early learning centres. We'd love to see you there.

View the full program here:https://jeavons.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/JeavonsLandscapeArchitects-Seminar-16thMay2025-V1.pdf

Friday, 16th May 2025
8:30am - 4pm AEST
In-person and online

We are proud to have this seminar supported by Play Australia and AILA VIC Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. For attending Landscape Architects this seminar is approved for 6 AILA CPD points.

20/03/2025

Join us for our upcoming thought-provoking seminar – Landscape Design for Children’s Wellbeing.

Early Bird tickets are still available until the 31st of March.

Our one-day event focuses on outdoor play spaces in schools and early learning centres. View the full program here:https://jeavons.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/JeavonsLandscapeArchitects-Seminar-16thMay2025-V1.pdf

Friday, 16th May 2025
8:30am - 4pm AEST
In-person and online

Purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/landscape-in-schools-a-children-first-approach-tickets-1204476554799?aff=facebook

(early bird ticket discount ends 31st March)

This year’s event features wonderful speakers sharing their knowledge on a wide range of topics including sensory health in play areas, design for play in schools and early learning centres, and an introduction to grant writing. All sessions will be recorded and available for all attendees to watch later.

We are proud to have this seminar supported by AILA VIC Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. For attending Landscape Architects this seminar is approved for 6 AILA CPD points.

06/03/2025

We are delighted to announce that Jeavons Landscape Architects are running an inspiring and stimulating seminar, Landscape Design for Children’s Wellbeing. A one-day event focused on outdoor play spaces in schools and early learning centres.

Our focus topics for this year’s seminar include:
• ‘Children First’ schools
• Sensory health and self-regulation in school play areas
• Design for play in schools and early learning
• An introduction to grant writing

Download a PDF copy of the full program here:https://jeavons.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/JeavonsLandscapeArchitects-Seminar-16thMay2025-V1.pdf

Our in-person Melbourne event is fully catered and is designed to facilitate knowledge sharing. It is a great opportunity for informal discussions with attendees from a range of professions. If you are unable to attend in-person, tickets are also available for online attendance. All the sessions will be recorded and available for all attendees to watch later.

Friday, 16th May 2025
8:30am-4pm AEST
In-person and online

Purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/landscape-in-schools-a-children-first-approach-tickets-1204476554799?aff=facebook

Early bird ticket discount ends 31st March.

Our speakers this year are:
Sigi Hyett and Linda Hyett from Northern Schools Early Years Cluster
Debie Maziarz from Debie Maziarz Productions - www.debbymaziarz.com.au
Angela Tieman from Sensory Health Matters - www.sensoryhealthmatters.au
Mary Jeavons from Jeavons Landscape Architects

We are proud to have this seminar supported by AILA VIC Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. For attending Landscape Architects this seminar is approved for 6 AILA CPD points.

We look forward to seeing you there!

17/12/2024

Jeavons Landscape Architects and Formium were proud to lead the design team for the newly opened Hays Paddock Playground, Wurundjeri Country, Kew East. The upgrade provides opportunities for accessible play for all abilities and introduces new, challenging, and sensory play elements.

Traditional Custodians: Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung
Client: City of Boroondara
Jeavons Project Team: Mary Jeavons, Leong Khoo, Grace Hong, George Marantos, Daniel Brock
Formium: Mark McWha, Vivian Zhang - www.formium.com.au
Public Art: Murrup Biik - Christine Joy and Aunty Kim Wandin with woodcarving by Lewis Wandin-Bursil - www.christinejoycuration.com.au/murrup-biik-public-art
Access Consultant: Access and Architecture - www.architectureandaccess.com.au
Play Auditor: Play DMC - www.playdmc.com.au
Specialist Consultant: Scope
Landscape Contractor: Warrandale Industries Pty Ltd
Sculptural elements: Crafted Landscapes - www.craftedlandscapes.com.au , sculpture.company & Glenn Romanis - www.glennromanis.com
Specific consultation on communication boards with Giant Steps Melbourne

28/11/2024

Our Founding Director Mary Jeavons will be presenting at The Playful City Symposium in Hong Kong next week. Hosted by The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects and Playright Children’s Play Association.

Mary’s presentation on inclusive playspace design will address the importance of designing spaces to suit the context of the site, whether it is a housing estate, public park, or school ground, and address accessible, inclusive landscape design of whole spaces.

As well as outlining who should be considered in creating a truly inclusive space, the session will discuss how designers can maximise participation and inclusion by ‘enabling design’ of play elements and providing diverse choices of activities and settings.

In person and online attendance is available. More information and tickets for the event can be found here: https://www.hkila.com/main_events/hong-kong-green-building-week-2024-2/

19/09/2024

The new playspace at Gasworks Arts Park has just been completed in time for the September weekend market. Jeavons was engaged by City Of Port Phillip to design a bespoke playspace that references the industrial past and transformation into a parkland and arts precinct.

The industrial structure was designed to represent the cog wheels, pipes, chimney stack and repetitive roof form that was prevalent at the time. A series of pipes, valves, spinners and sensory tinkering gadgetry provides inclusive sensory play at ground level. The indigenous planting palette compliments the landscape character in the park.

Some sculptures, furniture and lighting are still to be installed.

We appreciate the work undertaken by Melbourne Landscape Group, Activity Playgrounds, and Scope Australia.



Traditional Custodians: Bunurong People
Client: City of Port Phillip
Jeavons Project Team: Leong Khoo, Daniel Brock, George Marantos
Specialist Consultant: Scope Australia www.scopeaust.org.au
Landscape Contractor: Melbourne Landscape Group www.melbournelandscapegroup.com.au
Play Structure: Activity Playgrounds www.activityplaygrounds.com.au

14/08/2024

Jeavons Landscape Architects and Formium were proud to lead the design team for the newly opened Hays Paddock Playground, Wurundjeri Country.

Having been involved in the original design back in 1998, we are humbled to be provided the opportunity to help retain the character that made the playground great and improve on it in 2024.

The new design layout integrates seamlessly into the established natural environment with a focus on balancing accessible play for all abilities whilst introducing new challenging play elements. Some key design elements include:
• retaining inclusive access to the new lookout tower
• introducing some new local friends for the shade sail butterfly; a long neck turtle, short fin eel, frogs and tadpoles.
• reusing existing material from the former playground into the new structure and playspace
• improving communication opportunities for all users.

Special shout out to the specialist consultants and support groups to help us elevate the design and making the tiniest details matter, for those who matter.
Scope Australia https://www.scopeaust.org.au/
Access consultant https://architectureandaccess.com.au/
PlayDMC https://www.playdmc.com.au/
Giant Steps Melbourne https://www.giantsteps.net.au/giant-steps-melbourne/


We are ably supported by a professional hardworking team:
Design team and Project Managers at the City of Boroondara City of Boroondara | City of Boroondara
Collaborative design team Formium http://www.formium.com.au/
Contractor Warrandale Industries https://www.warrandale.com/
Crafted Landscapes http://www.craftedlandscapes.com.au/
Sculpture Co. https://www.sculptureco.net/
Glenn Romanis https://www.glennromanis.com/

19/07/2024

Sir Joseph Banks Park Adventure Playground, one year after completion. The project looks well used and well maintained. The plants have established nicely. The plants selected are endemic to the area and their uses by indigenous peoples were a significant part of the selection for future interpretation and education sources.