2014 Caine Holdsworth

Caine Holdsworth is Founding Director at Grafted Studio. He is an award-winning landscape architect and consulting arborist. He is highly regarded for his ability to communicate and collaborate with a range of stakeholders, disciplines, and the community. As a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Western Australia’s School of Design, Caine brings a unique perspective to his continuing work within education and research.Caine offers significant experience across projects from strategy through to implementation, with a focus on designing with trees in our urban environment.

Caine graduated from the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture in 2014.

Why did you choose to study landscape architecture?
CH – I wanted to design gardens and also had an interest in urban agriculture and environmental issues.

What was your most memorable project from your time studying landscape architecture at UWA, and why?
CH – The Freo Farm project with Grant Revell, our third-year Garden Studio. It taught me to trust my instincts, to challenge the brief we were given and come up with something that went beyond just creating a community garden. It must have worked as I won the Student Prize for it.

During your time as a student, who was a key person of influence in developing your approach to landscape architecture, and why?
CH – Tinka Sack taught us about the selection and use of WA plants. This was a huge shift in my understanding and thinking and it has only grown (excuse the pun) since then to become a real obsession. Grant Revell taught us to push boundaries and to do so confidently.

Fellow students also had a big influence on me, there were a bunch of us who really pushed each other and challenged each other to think about things differently.

What did you learn at UWA that has been most influential during your career?
CH – Self-belief.

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?
CH – Leaf and Branch by Robert Powell. I think of it as the other Sense of Place, and in a similar vein it is about trying to understand this place that we are part of – it is written simply and eloquently and is accessible to everyone. As a note, George Seddon wrote the foreword and he didn't think it was too bad either.

What is a moment that stands out from your time studying landscape architecture at UWA?
CH – When I look back I think it's the friends I made and how these friendships were formed by going through the challenges of the course.

Since your time at UWA, how have your ideas about the practice of landscape architecture changed?
CH – It's not all about the ‘concept’ or outcome you are seeking, rather it's the process, and achieving consensus, compromise, and navigating the complexity of projects.

What is a moment that stands out for you, in your career so far?
CH – After having a career change to move into landscape architecture it took me about five years post graduating to think, ‘Yep, I made the right call’. I’d reached a point where it felt like I now had what I had missed in my career to date – meaning and purpose.

Could share a significant project that you’ve worked or are working on?
CH – The Curtin Yarning Circle, which I worked on whilst at UDLA. I think it has been significant because of its reach. It's actually an inherently simple project, but it's gone on to influence and impact many people.

Do you have any advice for current landscape architecture students at the School of Design?
CH – Figure out your passions and work hard on those. Play the long game – there's so much to learn and it never stops. Build relationships and friendships with your peers – they are the best future contacts you will ever have.

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

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Images: Curtin Yarning Circle (via udla.com.au)