About

Landscape Design Services in Southeast Melbourne: Mark Browning Landscape Design Studio

Formerly Cycas Landscape Design, Mark Browning Landscape Design has been operating for 16 years, providing landscape design services. Along with landscape design, Mark Browning Landscape Design incorporates several other services related to the landscape industry including materials selection advice and sourcing. Since entering the landscape design scene in Melbourne, Mark Browning Landscape Design has enjoyed great success with their projects. Some of Mark Browning Landscape Design’s gardens have featured on houses that have won noteworthy awards and Mark Browning Landscape Design has been a keen participant in the garden show and festivals arena.

Our reputation as landscape designers has been enhanced by winning Silver medals at the 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2017 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Shows, the “W.A. Comeadow” Gold Award for outstanding design at the 2004 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show and Gold medals at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

At the 2007 Chelsea Flower Show in London, Mark Browning Landscape Design was invited to design the Flemings and Trailfinders Australian Garden. Constructed by Kiama Landscapes, the show garden showcased Melbourne culture, outdoor living and architecture, whilst highlighting the need for trees in the urban landscape. All materials used in the construction were shipped from Melbourne, whilst plants were sourced in the UK, Italy and Spain. The garden was awarded a Silver Gilt in the Show Garden category; the second highest award available.

Mark Browning Landscape Design prides itself on sustainable and sensible design principles and we encourage our clients to strike a balance between both hard and soft landscape treatments thereby minimizing their carbon footprint and hence doing their part by cooling the environment starting in their own backyards. At Mark Browning Landscape Design we believe the planting of trees in the landscape is a positive and argue that a treed garden is not only good for our environment but has positive implications for property values and proven social benefits for family life in general.

In relation to hard landscape practice, at Mark Browning Landscape Design we encourage natural stone materials and in particular materials that are often byproducts of quarrying such as the use of aggregates and random paving materials. When man-made products are desired, we encourage using materials manufactured by companies with sound environmental credentials.

As far as soft landscape is concerned, we always recommend mulching, whether it be through organic means or using gravels and aggregates usually comes down to aesthetics. Materials such as pebbles sourced from Asia are discouraged.

Water, of course, is of paramount importance as our climate warms and gets drier. At Mark Browning Landscape Design we are proactive with the use of harvesting both rain and grey water. Our philosophy is to make the end user responsible for their needs. Naturally, the volume of water stored or grey water system in place needs to be appropriate to the needs of the individual garden, where the ability to harness water is more limited, we encourage more drought tolerant plantings.

– We are a Design Firm based in Sandringham

– We are a well-established Bayside Design Firm

– Servicing all areas: Bayside, Southeastern Suburbs, Melbourne, Victoria

Our Team

Mark Browning Landscape Design is owned and operated by Mark Browning.

Mark has worked in the landscape industry since 1985 beginning his career as a landscape contractor. After 18 years on the tools he made the transition from construction to design and Mark Browning Landscape Design was born.

Under Mark Browning Landscape Design, Mark along with the staff provide landscape design and consultancy services catering for all styles of landscapes. His design philosophy is centred on the objective to provide high quality computer generated landscape designs and documentation with an emphasis on natural materials and sustainable planting.

Bluestone and granite are preferred hard landscape materials over concrete and ceramic pavers. Plants offering foliage qualities are generally preferred to those that rely on flowering for their beauty.

Mark Browning Landscape Design pursues different approaches to mulching and garden aesthetics with gravel and stone treatments frequently employed. We love to challenge traditional methodology by using walling materials on the ground and paving material on vertical surfaces. We love to demonstrate the versatility of materials and adore steel and glass, we loath chunky pinebark.

2014 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show: “The Patriarch’s Garden”

Presented by BamStone, designed by Mark Browning Landscape Design, constructed by Kiama Landscapes and Pools, supporting Kidney Health Australia “The Patriarch’s Garden” was all about family, unity and the journey through life and was a commemoration to the life of Graham Charles Browning. This garden was our sixth entry at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show which is the fourth biggest landscaping and horticulture exhibition in the world and largest in the Southern Hemisphere. “The Patriarch’s Garden” was awarded Best In Show winning the The City of Melbourne Award for Excellence. Along with the top prize, our garden won a Gold Show Garden Award as well as the “Mark Bence Award” for Construction. The story and inspiration behind the garden is below. Click on the image to see more images of the garden.

On Wednesday June 12, 2013 at 5.30am, Graham lost his battle with kidney failure and passed away in the presence of his children. He had endured a long fight and through the torment of his decay his family overcame many barriers and found much joy in each other’s company during the last four months of his life.

Graham had long valued family over everything. When his beloved wife Audrey entered full time care two years earlier, he struggled with her physical loss from his life and the family bonded around him to assist him in his grief. Weekly family dinners were a highlight of his life and continued right up to his passing. Both his children along with their families have maintained their commitment to Graham’s legacy and meet for dinner every fortnight.

Graham left many more legacies and “The Patriarch’s Garden” was a tribute to these. Pride in family and the strength gained through unity and support was paramount in this journey and “The Patriarch’s Garden” celebrated life, relationships and memory.

Central to the garden was the “Cocoon” sculpture symbolising the patriarchal figure within family. The sculpture was located within a gorge and two spines of quarried bluestone radiated from it, each spine represented offspring and their families. Like siblings, both spines were individual and not necessarily aligned, although a degree of calibration had all working in the same direction with common goals. Each spine had offshoots representing offspring; these too varied in dominance and structure but remained connected to both the spines and the “Cocoon” sculpture.

Whilst the family was central to the concept of “The Patriarch’s Garden”, other relationships played important roles and less significant veins radiated from the sculpture rising up from the garden sporadically representing other family, friends and acquaintances who had influenced and been influenced by the patriarch over his life.

Diagonally behind the “Cocoon” sculpture, a conversation zone offered an environment for conversation, care and contemplation. This area was dominated by a fire pit and surrounding circular seating inviting interaction.

A path of large irregular bluestone slabs wound randomly through the garden mimicking the meandering nature of all family’s journeys and plantings were mixed and varied to reflect the many influences of family upbringing. A gallery of portraits of the patriarch was displayed around the rear side with artwork lovingly contributed by adoring grandchildren, testament to the love and inspiration a grandfather possessed in life and carries through memory.

Kiama Landscapes and Pools are leaders in the Melbourne landscape industry, having constructed lavish outdoor living areas for over 30 years, winning a multitude of industry awards along the way. Kiama specializes in a diverse range of landscape services paving and decking, garden lighting, planting as well as swimming pool construction. Additionally, the company are registered builders so can provide full construction services for pool houses, pavilions and pergolas. This one stop shop capability saves customers precious time by allowing the use of one supplier to construct an entire landscape environment. www.kiamalandscapes.com.au

Melbourne Cranes is a boutique crane, transport and rigging company that services all industries within greater Melbourne, specialising in tight access situations, heavy lifts, plant room rigging, road closures, factory and plant relocations, and anything obscure or difficult that needs handling with care. Melbourne Cranes’ fleet of mobile cranes, semi-trailers, forklifts, lifting and rigging equipment means there is not much that can’t be achieved.www.melbournecranes.com

BamStone is Australias leading provider of high quality bluestone available in a huge array of finishes. BamStone also produce many specialist items including wall cladding, paving and coping, traditional and restoration stone, and dressed feature stonework. Whether you are a landscape contractor, builder, or home handyman, BamStone has the right product for you. Always consistent in color, texture and appearance, BamStone is the obvious choice for your bluestone needs. www.bamstone.com.au

Lump Sculpture Studio stand out from the crowd with its designs and manufacturing process.  Deriving inspiration from the art world and contemporary landscape architecture, Lump fuses original contemporary designs with old fashioned craftsmanship. The result is both distinctive and enduring. All pieces are made at the studio in Melbourne, which gives clients the added benefit of knowing that every Lump Piece is created in Australia by Australian artists using the highest quality standards and materials. Some of Lump’s most loved pieces are the original Lump Light Feature Panels, Individual free standing sculptures and designer screens made from Corten Steel with a natural rusted finish. www.lump.com.au

Elements Weatherproof Soft Furnishings design and manufacture custom outdoor soft furnishings in Melbourne using the best quality outdoor specific fabrics. All fabrics are available in rich colors, patterns and stylish textures and are resistant to UV, moulds, salt and chlorine. Along with custom manufacturing and design, Elements Weatherproof Soft Furnishings also have an “off the shelf” range including scatter cushions, seat pads and bench seat cushions. A hiring service is also available, Elements Weatherproof Soft Furnishings cater for events as well. www.elementsaustralia.net.au

Gardens at Night are Australia’s premier landscape lighting designers and suppliers with over 20 years experience. Through the use of durable energy efficient fittings, quality design, technical knowledge and expert installation Gardens at Night look to enhance landscapes with the use of light. www.gan.com.au

A beautiful fireplace offers more than just warmth — it is the heart of any home. Whether indoor or outdoor a fire is an ever-changing, living sculpture. That’s why Oblica is proud to be the home of some of the most beautiful contemporary designer fireplaces, fire pits and wood storage accessories. Discover our full range of european masterpieces by Focus, Skantherm, Invicta and AK47 at Oblica’s Fitzroy showroom. www.oblica.com.au

Illuminate and transform your outdoor entertaining space with Waxworks, a leading provider of Citronella candles and accessories. Featuring candles created with essential oils distilled from citronella grass, Waxworks candles and candle holders add the perfect touch of style for any outdoor living space. The Waxworks range is available at all leading retailers. www.waxworksworks.com.au

Warner’s Nurseries is an award winning production nursery growing an extensive range of trees and shrubs for the residential and commercial landscape market. Celebrating 100 years in business in 2014, Warners focus on traditional values continues with our customers receiving an ever-evolving range of quality plant stock and exceptional customer service, all of which adds real value to the landscape project. www.warners.com.au

Flemings Nurseries are expert growers of shrubs and trees and offer fruit, ornamental, deciduous, evergreen and native Australian varieties. Flemings Nurseries initiative and passion for Australian landscape design and horticulture has been the driving force behind placing Australia amongst the world’s best in landscape design. Since 2004, Fleming’s Nurseries have presented nine Australian Show Gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show in London, including the Silver Gilt Medal winning entry in 2007 designed by Mark Browning Landscape Design. www.flemings.com.au

Speciality Trees pride themselves in producing the best performing trees possible. With over 300 lines of native, deciduous, evergreen and screening trees in a variety of sizes from 20cm pots to trees 6 metres tall, they back up growing expertise with helpful customer service and consultation.  Awarded NGIA Best Victorian Medium Nursery 2010, 2011 & 2012; NGIA Best National Medium Nursery in 2011 and NGIA Best Victorian Large Nursery in 2014, a visit to their stunning, picturesque nursery will inspire you to plant more trees. www.specialitytrees.com.au

Lilydale Instant Lawn grow instant lawn for the Victorian market, coving domestic and commercial sectors including the landscape industry. Since beginning operations in 1985 with a turf farm in Yarra Glen, Lilydale Instant Lawn now produce warm season lawn varieties at three farms across the state and are renowned for exceptional quality and service.www.lilydaleinstantlawn.com.au

2015 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show: “Quietude”

Show Garden Gold Medal

City of Melbourne Award of Excellence for Best in Show

Mark Browning Landscape Design collaborated with Lisa Ellis Gardens to design “Quietude”, designed to take the viewing public to a state of calmness, stillness. Mark Browning Landscape Design headed up the overall design including the layout of the landscape and the design and documentation of all hard landscape elements including the pavilion, decking and paving, bluestone walling, trough and feature landscape boulders. Lisa Ellis Gardens headed up the soft landscape selections including planting palette, soft furnishings and sculpture selections.

Quietude was constructed by Kiama Landscapes and Pools.

Key suppliers to Quietude included:

• Bamstone: Australian bluestone and basalt including trough, fireplace base and plinth, etched “Quietude” signage.
• Frencham Cypress: Australian White Cypress timber decking, cladding and feature posts.
• MyAlfresco: Kitchen joinery including bar and fridge.
• Estia Designs: “Orb” Fireplace.
• Grazia & Co: Bespoke outdoor dining setting and casual seat cushioning and scatters.
• Gardens at Night: Outdoor Lighting.
• Lump Sculpture Studio: Feature Sculptures and Pond.
• Cinema King: Sound.
• Mapei: Construction adhesives.
• Quantum Timber Finishes: Timber stains.
• Warners, Flemings, Smith and Gordon Nurseries: Plant Life
• Lilydale Instant Lawn: Lawn.

Display House Projects

Display houses landscapes. Back in January 2012 we were engaged by one of Melbourne’s premier volume house builders to design the landscapes for all their display houses. Since then we designed over 80 landscapes at 18 different locations. The majority of these display homes and their gardens are now complete and open, with a handful to be opened over the coming months.

Designing gardens for display houses is nothing new for us, we have designed dozens over the years and love the challenges of creating landscapes to capture people’s imaginations and ultimately help sell our client’s houses.