How did you get into landscape architecture?

A keen interest in the environment led me to take a degree in geography, which coupled with my love of art took me in to landscape architecture. My first job was in Liverpool where I worked on the Garden Festival and Albert Dock restoration projects.
What are your main responsibilities in the team?
I’m a director and lead arboriculturist, managing 3 team members within the company. I get involved in a wide variety of projects, leading on much of our university sector work and many of our community-focussed work which involves public consultation.
What is your favourite designed landscape?

I’ve been much inspired by the landscape of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park which combines hard detailing so effectively with seemingly natural soft landscape elements. It speaks of a landscape that was carefully planned and designed to last.
What is your favourite natural landscape?
The beaches of west Pembrokeshire and the Burren in Ireland.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Diversity – no day is ever the same
What is a memorable project you have worked on?

The Building Schools for the Future project Pioneer School provided me with the opportunity and time frame to be creative and to combine garden design skills within a larger landscape project.

How did you get into landscape architecture?
I enrolled at Writtle College Studying Landscape and Garden Design with the intention to focus on Garden Design. As the course progressed, the focus shifted from small scale gardens into larger landscape schemes, with our final design dissertation focusing on a large scale development. This led me to focus on landscape design and apply for a position at Wynne Williams Associates.What are your main responsibilities in the team?

I’m a director of the company and I have lead responsibility for my own projects as well as managing any graduate assistance that I need to complete my schemes successfully. My focus as a director is also on marketing, managing our existing client base, and developing new relationships within the construction and design industry. I am passionate about what we do at Wynne-Williams and the service we provide.
What is your favourite designed landscape?

City Hall in London is impressive. It has been designed to cope with a large pedestrian footfall, and the planting that has been incorporated into the scheme works well, with good use of mature tree species that help to bring down the scale of the surrounding buildings.
What is your favourite natural landscape?

A particular favourite place is Dentdale in the Yorkshire Dales which is beautiful, especially in winter, and that’s added to by the memories I have of going there since a child.
What do you enjoy most about your work?

Being able to use artistic flair to create designs and see them develop, evolve and come to life. There’s a sense of achievement when you see your design constructed on site and how people use and interact with it.
What is a memorable project you have worked on?

The development of St Giles’ churchyard in Camden was interesting. A lot of thought and consultation went into the project, although much of the design work is subtle as it was a heritage project and required careful consideration. Through that we created a landscape that has drawn a lot more people to it, and eradicated anti-social behaviour that was once present within the site.

How did you get into landscape architecture?
My love of the outdoors and interest in the relationship between people and the environment led me initially to study Environmental Sciences. After graduating I learnt about landscape architecture – the balance between creative and analytical work appealed to me, so I decided to study for an MA.
What are your main responsibilities in the team?
I lead on projects in various sectors working alongside others in our team to deliver them. This can involve a variety of tasks including meeting with clients and design teams, site visits and analysis, and producing drawings and reports. I also head the financial management of the company, working closely with Freya, and Tom who leads on business operations. I have responsibility for our legal financial duties, overseeing the day-to day finances, and assessing financial performance to assist my fellow directors in making business decisions.
What is your favourite designed landscape?
Parc del Clot in Barcelona, it’s a park designed around some old mechanical workshop buildings. The arches of the workshop structures form intimate courtyards and large water features, and different levels of the park are connected with bridges. As well as being attractive and distinctive, it is also very well-used as a neighbourhood park because of the excellent sports facilities it offers.
What is your favourite natural landscape?
I love the Pembrokeshire Coast, especially for walking and birdwatching.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
It’s always interesting because of the variety of work we do, and whether it’s drawings or site visits or report writing I always feel that what we’re doing is valuable.
What is a memorable project you have worked on?
The St. Mary’s Senior School project was particularly satisfying because I was involved in every aspect and saw the project through from feasibility study to construction and completion. Being the project lead, we were able to work closely with the client and were also responsible for coordinating the team.

What are your main responsibilities in the team?
I am a Senior landscape architect at WWA, leading multidisciplinary projects and coordinating with our clients and the design team throughout the design process. I work closely with existing and new clients, developing their briefs. I have worked on a wide range of projects and have a very technical design background which provides me with a better understanding of the construction of projects allowing me to implement this in our designs. Although I am responsible for leading my projects, I am also there to support the wider team.

What is your favourite designed landscape?
One of my favourite landscapes is the Highline in New York, it is this that originally captured my interest in landscape architecture. The idea of taking an unused structure, once a railway line transporting goods to and from the city, was destined to be demolished, and was then turned into an elevated green park that runs through the city for everyone to enjoy an escape from the chaotic city life.

What is your favourite natural landscape?
A difficult one, as there are so many, but one of my favourite natural landscapes would be the Suffolk Coast. I love going there for a holiday break because of the beautiful heaths and the fantastic coastline offering stunning walks.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy some of the problem-solving aspects of the jobs, the detailing and conceptual stage, but overall the opportunity to design and create greener spaces for an ever-changing environment for all to enjoy.

What are your main responsibilities in the team?
I work mainly assisting members of the team on a variety of projects allowing me to gain a full range of experience within Landscape Architecture. I have recently embarked on the pathway to chartership.
What do you enjoy most about your work?

It’s so refreshing to have such a variety of work all the time. The nature of the work allows every day to be different with an exciting mixture of site visits, being out in the landscape and working as part of the team in the office.
What is your favourite designed landscape?
Central Park in New York always amazes me. The sheer scale of the green space is incredible considering the location right in the heart of the city.
What is your favourite natural landscape?
Ever since living in Canada, the Canadian Rockies will always be special to me. The dramatic rock formations and vast views are just unbeatable, especially when you consider the time taken for it to change.
What is your favourite designed landscape?
Faversham Recreation Ground stands out for me. It was the first project I was able to be a part of, throughout the design process and following forward to the implementation.

What are your main responsibilities in the team?
My main responsibilities are assisting members of the team on a wide variety of projects with drawings and design. The office is lively and busy and we constantly share opinions and ideas to deliver great ideas.
What is your favourite designed landscape?
The gardens of the Generalife at the Alhambra in Granada are a favourite designed landscape. They exude calm and tranquility and have provided an amazing oasis of respite from the hot Spanish summer for over a thousand years. I love the planting for its aromas and the sound of gently trickling waters always inviting you around the next corner.
What is your favourite natural landscape?
I’m always inspired by amazing sculptural rock formations in natural landscapes. Many childhood holidays were spent walking up Kinder Scout in the Peak District. I was always thrilled to see The Noe Stool when we reached the top. Another favourite are the pink rocks of the La Maddalena national park in Sardinia. They are like wild creatures, rising out of the turquoise sea, carved by the wind to resemble Henry Moore sculptures.
What is a memorable project you have worked on?
I’ve really enjoyed working on the Chelmsford Cathedral enhancement project. It’s a careful and considered project involving a large group of stakeholders, who want to enhance the beauty of the historic building and provide a legacy for its future use. Being part of the design team, working on this much-loved green space in the centre of the City, is a privilege.

How did you get into landscape architecture?

My passion for outside space gradually developed from a young age by growing up on a farm and seeing the landscape scenery change throughout the seasons. My father’s farming and mother’s keen gardening were a big influence. I originally studied fashion design but working in the fashion industry made me aware of environmental sustainability and landscape architecture really began to appeal to me. The UK has a great reputation for gardens with a rich history so I decided to study at Writtle University. Originally, smaller scale garden design caught my interest but during my time at Writtle my interest shifted from small to larger scale landscape architecture.

What are your main responsibilities in the team?

I assist members of the team on a variety of projects, mainly with drawing. I enjoy work on a variety of projects and learning new things every day.
What is your favourite designed landscape?
The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park inspired me on my dissertation project at university in terms of sustainable landscape design so I hold it in high regards. A visit to the garden at Hauser & Wirth Somerset designed by Piet Oudolf was also very inspiring. The time at which I visited was in November and there was no foliage but the garden was carefully designed for winter with remaining seed heads and plant structures creating an interesting black and white scene.
What is your favourite natural landscape?
I grew up in Hokkaido which is the north island of Japan and has a mountainous landscape with heavy snow in the winter. This has given me fond memories of snowscape; it’s very beautiful when snow covers all the fields, especially in the mornings. The long winters lead to heavy anticipation of the spring bloom.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy the variety of projects that we work on here. Some of the projects are within places that are familiar to me, so I feel excited to be involved with landscape creation and community enhancement in a place known to me.
What is a memorable project you have worked on?
As a new team member, I haven’t got a particular project yet, but I look forward to being involved with a project from start to finish; throughout design process to construction completion.

What are your main responsibilities in the team?
I assist the senior team with drawings and presenting our schemes to clients. I have worked on a variety on a variety of projects, from large residential schemes to schools for the DfE, working closely with the design team.

What is your favourite designed landscape?

RHS Wisley has always been a firm favourite of mine especially with their recent addition of RHS Hilltop and the Wellbeing Garden, highlighting the importance of accessible green space on all groups of society. Sissinghurst also deserves a notable mention with its intimate garden ‘rooms’, each with their own distinct colour palette.

What is your favourite natural landscape?

I have incredibly fond memories of visiting my Aunt and Uncle as a child, they lived on a farm in rural Devon, with tranquil expanses of green as far as the eye could see and wild, untamed hedgerows!

What do you enjoy most about your work?

The most enjoyable aspect of the job for me is knowing that the spaces we create will bring enjoyment and happiness to those who use them, as it’s proven that well-designed landscapes have an undeniably positive impact on our wellbeing both physically and mentally.

What is a memorable project you have worked on?

I have been lucky enough to work on a large variety of projects, both independently and as part of a larger design team.

What are your main responsibilities in the team?
My main responsibilities are assisting my colleagues on a wide range of projects and tasks, allowing me to gain a full variety of experiences within the field
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy working on a variety of projects and learning new things every day, no day is ever the same and I am excited to be involved in each project, knowing that each space we create will bring a positive impact to the area and its surrounding context. I have a love of plants, and I hope to be able to utilise my knowledge to help with future projects
What is your favourite designed landscape? Kew Wakehurst is an amazing place to spend the day, it is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, home to the Millennium seed bank and the UK’s largest conservation project too, the 200 hectares incorporates ancient and beautiful landscapes, historical buildings, Wetland boardwalks, and Walled Gardens, no matter how many times you visit, there is always something new to see
What is your favourite natural landscape?
I have many memories of travelling to Devon and Cornwall since I was young, but Lynton and Lynmouth will always be one of my favourite places to visit, 2 villages situated on the North Coast of Devon, and one of the best circular river walks along the East Lyn River through ancient woodlands towards Watersmeet tea rooms.

How did you get into landscape architecture?
I was originally a civil engineer but moved towards landscaping after taking a Rural Resource Management course at agricultural college. I worked as a Landscape Assistant for the Groundwork Trust before taking a post-graduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture.
What are your main responsibilities in the team?

As landscape consultant, I front projects – attend client meetings, produce outline designs and oversee detail design. Everyone in the practice is experienced in the full range of landscape projects, but I do tend to work on education and sport related projects.
What is your favourite designed landscape?
I like formal landscapes. Favourites would be Sissinghurst, a classic English garden, Het Loo in Holland, and Vaux-le-Vicomte in France is staggering.
What is your favourite natural landscape?
I think the places you like come from a mixture of aesthetics and memories and because of that, I’d choose the coastal landscape around the Rivers Stour and Deben in Suffolk, the Yorkshire Dales, and the valleys to the south of Dartmoor – generally softer landscapes.
What do you enjoy most about your work?

Making a difference – it might sound like a cliché, but it’s a great feeling to travel around the areas where we work and see the positive impact we’ve made for the people who use and enjoy the landscapes we’ve created.
What is a memorable project you have worked on?
Pier Hill was one of the first projects I worked on with Wynne-Williams Associates. It was a large scale regeneration project in Southend-on-Sea. The project was very complicated due to the considerable level change across the site so it was satisfying to make it work, and the outcome was impressive. Again, making a difference.

What are your main responsibilities in the team?
Drawing up or making amendments to hard and soft landscape plans, tree surveys, sketch plans, planting strategies and sections.
What is your favourite designed landscape?
The Chase, a linear park that forms part of the Beaulieu housing development. It turns an everyday journey into a multi-sensory nature experience with a strong narrative.
What is your favourite natural landscape?
The Cornish coastline, with its steep cliffs, sandy coves and rock pools that invite discovery in every nook and cranny.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Combining my artistic and geographical skills to create public spaces which improve people’s quality of life, whilst providing ecological benefits.

What are your main responsibilities in the team?
As Practice Manager, I do the seemingly mundane bits of paperwork that people often dislike doing, but that keeps an office working efficiently. I also bother the team a lot with reminders to complete their own mundane bits of paperwork in between working on their stunning designs. Occasionally I make tea and coffee.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love working for a busy, fast-paced company and every day holds different challenges. The WWA office is a friendly, lively place, where learning and improvement is not just suggested, but positively embraced.
What is your favourite natural landscape?
Thinking of all the places that I’ve visited, it seems impossible to choose a favourite. Plateaus of the Colorado high desert, a crystal-clear lake near a Norwegian glacier, the mesas of Arizona and New Mexico, or the pristine beauty of Dartmoor, but without question, my favourite view anywhere might be unknown to even the most seasoned explorer.
If you ever find yourself near Hawes in Yorkshire, it’s imperative that you make the harrowing assent by car up and over the pass leading to the tiny village of Marsett. After a potentially dangerous rally of switchbacks, sheep, and stone chippings (as well as mountains of snow in the winter), you will reach a point where the road itself seemingly disappears in front of you. Your heart stops beating as your stomach momentarily occupies the same space within your chest, and then you are rewarded with a spectacular birds-eye view of Semerwater lake and one of the verdant valleys that make Yorkshire so incredible.