2006 Dr Sara Padgett Kjaersgaard

Dr Sara Padgett Kjaersgaard is Director of Landscape Architecture and a Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. Sara is a Registered Landscape Architect and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. Sara has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture with Honours (2006) and PhD from the University of Western Australia (2020).

Her PhD project titled; 'Learning from the Edge: An In Inquiry into the Peri-urban Territory of Perth' explored the opportunities for landscape architecture to communicate the value of the peri-urban territory for the city of Perth. Over the past eight years, she has held leadership positions within AILA including State President of the WA Chapter and has served two terms as a Director of the National Board. In 2019, Sara was invited to host the second series of Channel 10’s Australia By Design – Landscapes series.

Why did you choose to study landscape architecture?
Sara Padgett Kjaersgaard – I was studying environmental science, came across LA students in my geography course in first year (I think geography was then a core course of the LA Program) and it piqued my interest. I looked into it, knew it was for me and then transferred across after one year of environmental science.

What was your most memorable class from your time at UWA?
SPK – Charlie Mann's History of Art and Architecture was memorable – rock and roll and in depth exposure to some of the most extraordinary cultures, buildings and art across the European and Americas. Walking Pelican Point with Noel Nannup in a second year studio still evokes memories of listening to Elders under the casuarinas. Being selected to undertake my Honours in Fitzroy Crossing with Community, working alongside Architecture honours student Pat Ford and under the direction of Grant Revell, Paul Trinidad and Fiona Hogg was and is one of the cornerstone moments of my undergraduate degree. Sharing Room 1.20 with so many inspiration PhD Candidates during my Doctorate candidature, and the support given by the amazing Nigel Westbrook as supervisor are also memorable.

During your time as a student, who was a key person in developing your approach to landscape architecture?
SPK – Richard Weller. The energy, big thinking, making things possible, connection to the world shaped the way I think and my passion for landscape architecture today.

What did you learn at UWA that has been most influential during your career?
SPK – That engagement with First Nations communities matters. What UWA was doing 20 years ago was ahead of its time.

What is one resource from your time at UWA that you return to, or that you feel has been most influential on you as a landscape architect?
SPK – My favourite is Recovering Landscape: Essays in Contemporary Landscape Architecture by James Corner. I bought this in Berlin when I took a semester off and decided to back pack around Europe and see all the amazing sites that Charlie Mann had introduced to us in Year 1! It is still one of my all time favourite texts to return to and to think deeply about the discipline and practice of landscape architecture.

What is one moment that stands out from your time studying landscape architecture at UWA?
SPK – Submitting the PhD! Two children, a move interstate and a supervisor who moved to the US. Eight years later with many interruptions, it was something that I'm really proud of.

Since your time at UWA, how have your ideas about the practice of landscape architecture changed?
SPK – As a profession we have become more strategic, our numbers continue to increase and we have unified impact on policy change at the state and national level across Australia. The fact that advocacy is core business is wonderful. The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects has been the leading professional body in relation to First Nation issues, and its been great to see landscape architecture really claim success in building and reconciling these relationships.

What is a moment that stands out for you, in your career so far?
SPK – I won the Jeppe Aagaard Andersen scholarship in my graduating year (2006), this gave me six months practicing in Denmark and Europe. I stayed for three, met my now husband there and have a lifelong connection to this place. Never would have I thought this would be my journey. Buying the Lonely Planet Guide to Denmark was a very foreign concept to me back then!

Could share a significant project that you’ve worked or are working on?
SPK: Central Park One in Sydney. This was the last project I worked on when I left Jeppe Aagaard Andersen's practice in Denmark in 2009. I'm now based in Sydney, and when I spend time walking through this project I remember the very first stages and initiation of ideas that we held together back in Denmark and reflect on how far I've come.

Any other stories, memories or reflections on the landscape architecture program at UWA that you'd like to share?
SPK – Post folio submission parties are legendary, from Steve's in Nedlands, to house parties, to parties on the lawn out the front of ALVA into the wee hours of the morning. These defining and bonding times with peers were joyful!

This interview was undertaken in 2022. It has been edited for clarity and cohesion.

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Image: AILA NSW Walk and Talk - In Conversation with Hon Minister Rob Stokes. Interview by Dr Sara Padgett Kjaersgaard. Barangaroo Reserve, October 2020. (Image via research.unsw.edu.au/people/dr-sara-padgett-kjaersgaard)