Perry Lethlean

Perry Lethlean is the director of Taylor Cullity Lethlean of Melbourne. Mr. Perry was invited to be a part of the URA Speaker Series on the waterfront design. Perry Lethlean is one of the best in urban and landscape designer. The talk mainly focused on the design of public spaces and the design of Auckland Waterfront in New Zealand. This event was taken place at the URA Center in Singapore.

The seminar was addressed by Fun Siew Leng the Assistant Chief Planner, Urban Redevelopment Authority before Perry Lethlean’s talk. Ms. Fun Siew Leng talked about changing the location and the postindustrial transformation of Singapore’s waterfront like the Marina Bay. As she talked I thought about the development of Marina Bay and got me really amazed. Mr. Perry began his talk by addressing design criteria in which how he came up with his ideas, concepts, design, his space planning and the obstacle he faced. Hearing what he said inspired me and gave me ideas on different design problem which younger designer could face. He then began to talk about one of his famous waterfront design, Auckland Waterfront. Mr. Perry talked about the challenges which was to redesign the waterfront, to design public spaces for the locals to enjoy but to protect and preserve the characteristic of the waterfront such as the culture of the locals, the fish market and the business nearby. As he explained the solution to the issues he faced, it showed me that there is always a solution towards every problem it is just how you approach it. Mr. Perry then mention in his talk that the waterfront was a toxic site so the water were needed to be restored cleaned reused then filled in back in the harbor. This was another point which showed young designers like me that it is not only about the design but everything else also mattered and the functions.

All in all, I really enjoyed the talk which was conducted by Perry Lethlean. This seminar has taught me more towards the perspective of someone whom had experienced so much and shared everything to younger generation of designers and it also taught me that we always have to consider to preserve the local’s landmark or the characteristic of the area. Designing is not always about erasing the past but more on how to develop the past and integrating it with the future. Mr. Perry showed everyone that designing is not easy but the outcome will be worth the challenges we went through.