TCL were the lead designers engaged by Melbourne Museum to create an awe-inspiring place that is a living museum in itself. Its mountainous terrain is cloaked with massive Eucalyptus regnans, some up to 100 metres tall and 300 years old. In its valleys, a temperate rainforest, a remnant of Gondwana, is found. Both live and die with fire, the Eucalyptus in its presence, the rainforest in its absence.

The forest was examined beyond the purely ecological.  In partnership with the curators an approach was formulated which distinguished distinctive influences that have for millions of years and still do, shape the forest environment. 

These were called agents of change and identified as water, earth, climate, fire and people.

The emphasis was on dynamic change over time, and the rhythms and responses, that have evolved within the forest.  Detailed stories were developed for each theme and key messages defined to provide a window for visitors into the interconnected and multi-layered nature of life in the forest.

This approach allowed huge evolutionary time spans to be interpreted, as well as smaller scale micro activities such as plant flowering, animal breeding and their daily feeding patterns.

A feature of this project was the degree of integration of Museum staff and the consultant team. Close collaboration was an essential element in synthesising the vast knowledge of the Museum specialists, and transforming the many ideas and issues into a cohesive, inspiring and comprehendible interpretive environment.