The new central Library at Canning College was designed by JCPA Architects to open out into courtyards or ‘external learning zones’ surrounding each building. The landscape was similarly designed to maximise the use of this area for outdoor lessons throughout the summer months and is shaded by large trees with low planter walls which double as informal seating.

The carefully selected planting palette is predominantly native but is punctuated with a few larger ‘signature’ species used at nodal points on campus. These trees are used to create cool, shady seating, define gathering areas, emphasise entry points and establish a clearly defined structure and identity for the site.

Blackwell & Associates worked closely with Stuart Green (artist) who created artworks based upon the notion of the seed of knowledge developing and unfurling over time.