Capabilities

Who we are

Pollen is a creative, practical and experienced design studio working with our Clients to figure out how to get the most out of any project. All projects are valued by us, whether it be a pocket park, a local reserve, or an urban forecourt. We are strong believers that thoughtfully designed public open spaces are a critical part of our communities, and are spaces that should offer experiences for all and future-proof our environment.

As a smaller studio, our team works across various projects where we share our knowledge and expand project networks as needed. With each team member having their own strengths and interests, our studio size allows us to cross-pollinate ideas, leading to thoughtful, comprehensive outcomes tailored to our Clients’ needs. Led by Flynn Hart, our Studio is guided by his experience in both local government and private practice.

Collaboration is a word that can have many definitions in the design industry. To us, collaboration is a shared understanding of the project objectives. It’s listening to the wide range of expertise, offering our insight and guidance when needed. Through this ethos, we deliver positive experiences for current and future users, project stakeholders, and the broader community, ensuring project success and a broad sense of ownership.

At the end of the day, we understand that it is important to our Clients that a project meets the relevant cost, quality, and time objectives, as well as applicable Council and Industry standards. We also understand that it is important to consider the ongoing level of maintenance to ensure a project can continue to succeed following our involvement.

We aim to exceed industry standards and expectations. We are AILA (Australian Institute of Landscape Architects) accredited members, with Registered Landscape Architects leading our studio. We are advocates for positive experiences and access to public space for all, and look forward to undertaking this journey together.

What we do

As a Studio, we are a group of highly skilled designers with a proven track record of collaborating with Clients to deliver engaging open spaces that are welcoming and provide social and environmental benefits. We believe a project’s success can be measured through how it is embraced, loved and how it belongs as if it were always there. We welcome projects of all shapes and sizes, from temporary installations to regional parks.

While we don’t believe in ‘reinventing the wheel’, we also don’t believe in a cookie-cutter approach. We listen to the needs of our clients, project stakeholders, and the broader community to ensure success and a broad sense of ownership among all. Since opening in 2011, we have gained experience in a wide range of projects, including the following:

• Projects that make a positive difference
  We want to be part of projects where design centres around the life cycle, buildability, embedded energy, reusability, and ongoing maintenance of spaces. We aim to create resilient spaces that stand the test of time and improve their immediate context.
• Whole of park
  We approach parks and public spaces as a complete entity. To us, this means looking at the whole picture and understanding that even minor interventions can have significant positive effects.
• Community-focused
  We keep the community in mind as a key Client. It is important for a project to reflect local values, ownership, needs and desires – to foster appreciation, connection and social benefit.
• Biodiversity-focused and climate-positive design
  We embed biodiversity enhancements and climate-responsive thinking into our projects as standard practice.
• Working within multidisciplinary teams
  We have a long history of leading and working within diverse project teams. Collaborating to ensure a successful and integrated outcome.
• Open space and urban design realm
  We bring extensive experience delivering parks, civic spaces, tracks and trails, streetscapes and playspaces, including the development of standard details and design guides for Council teams – creating lasting community benefit and enhancing the public realm.
• Strategy
  We love strategic design thinking that supports Clients to achieve their long-term goals, while also meeting and considering future challenges. We have a successful history in zooming out, before zooming in to a framework for implementation, adaptation and delivery.
• Cultural landscapes and sense of place
  We have been lucky to work with Traditional Owners on a variety of projects to celebrate their voices and culture. Working with Traditional Owners continues to influence and shape the way we hone our practice and how we approach and deliver projects.
• Activations and testing ideas
  We explore opportunities that encourage people to engage with places in new ways, testing and evaluating outcomes, understanding flow-on effects, and assessing feasibility.
• Access and networks
  We design integrated networks of paths and trails that strengthen connections – with a focus on accessibility and supporting recreation, commuting, tourism and ecological corridors.
• Rural and urban
  We are in our element on a remote site in regional Victoria, as we are developing new green spaces in the heart of Melbourne.