2012 Liam Mouritz

Liam Mouritz is a landscape architect based in Perth on Whadjuk Noongar Country. He is Principal Urban Designer at City of Fremantle and is interested in work that prioritises and enhances opportunities for nature.

Liam graduated from the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at UWA in 2012.

Why did you choose to study landscape architecture?
Liam Mouritz – It was a good balance of my interests in design and sustainability.

What was your most memorable class from your time at UWA?
LM – I really enjoyed The Culture of Nature, atheory unit run by Richard Weller. It really blew my mind open at the time and felt like a good base from which to start practicing as a landscape architect.

What was your most memorable project from your time studying landscape architecture at UWA?
LM – My Honours by Design project was my most memorable. It was a proposal for the urban renewal of Fremantle Port, if the Port functions were to move down to Kwinana. This was an independent research thesis and gave me the opportunity to delve deeply into landscape urbanism and imagine what a city might look like that privileged landscape and ecology as a first principle.

During your time as a student, who was a key person of influence in developing your approach to landscape architecture?
LM – I did a lot of design studios with Tinka Sack, Grant Revell and Christopher Vernon. They are all awesome and unique characters with their own approach to design and teaching which I think shaped a great mix of well rounded designers at the time. Tinka for aesthetics, planting design and understanding novel ecosystems; Grant for working in the regions and connecting with First Nations people; and Christopher for an unrivalled knowledge of landscape architectural history and theory.

What did you learn at UWA that has been most influential during your career?
LM – The value of designing was above all what I got out of my studies. It’s a way of thinking (through drawing, sketching, visualising, propositioning) that other professions rarely have and is always a great contribution to any collaborative discussion with the wider community.

What is a moment that stands out from your time studying landscape architecture at UWA?
LM – Studying together with my fellow students is definitely memorable. I met some great folks at UWA who are all still my friends and collaborators today. We used to learn so much from each other and share in the mutual despair of folio week!

Since your time at UWA, how have your ideas about the practice of landscape architecture changed?
LM – At the moment I'm trying to think more deeply about issues including climate crisis, engaging and working together with Traditional Owners and collaboration in general. These are all really broad issues and difficult to engage with properly when your are in the insulated environment of university.

What is a moment that stands out for you, in your career so far?
LM – I don't have a specific moment, but have really enjoyed being able to travel around the world with my career in landscape architecture. So far it has taken me abroad to a variety of places around Europe, China and now back at home in Perth.

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

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Image: A scheme developed by Liam Mouritz and team for Place Value Ashfield (via placevalueashfield.com)