Land Studio's 10th anniversary

"It’s not often I stop to look back at how the practice has evolved, the clients I’ve worked with, and the colleagues who’ve shaped the business along the way. It has certainly been a rollercoaster of a journey, with the practice continually evolving over the decade.

"Land Studio began on 29 January 2016 with a clear ambition: to create a landscape architecture practice that could deliver meaningful change in the fight against climate change. The aim was – and remains – to provide high-quality design expertise with a core purpose of “Connecting People with Nature”, combined with a pragmatic, delivery-focused approach for clients.

"Those core values have underpinned the growth of the business. Land Studio has now completed over 500 projects, grown to a team of 14, and embedded engineering, SuDS and ecology at the heart of its design approach. Our work stretches across the UK and beyond – from the Highlands of Scotland to the south coast of England, across Wales, throughout the North West and North of England, and down to Gibraltar.

"Across sectors – from education and housing to historic estates and holiday parks – I’ve seen a clear shift in how development is approached. A more nature-led mindset is gradually becoming the norm. It’s not without its challenges, but it brings real opportunities.

"Over the decade, as landscape architects, ecologists and engineers, we’ve moved from the bottom to the top of the design team meeting agenda. The strategic approach we take to sites is now central to whether schemes succeed – through planning and ultimately on the ground. On a number of recent projects, for example, bringing ecology and drainage into the conversation at the very first masterplanning stage has allowed us to unlock sites that might otherwise have stalled at planning.

"Whilst the legislative “sticks” of BNG and SAB present their own challenges, they are driving tangible change in the delivery of biodiversity and SuDS across our sites. Just as importantly, I’m seeing a genuine shift in attitudes within the development world. Space is being allowed for habitats to establish, and complex, layered landscapes for drainage, recreation and nature are being created. Compared with 20 years ago, this is a dramatic and positive shift.

"To make this meaningful, I believe designers must deliver on their promises for a greener future by fully integrating the skills of landscape architects, engineers and ecologists into the design process – and by understanding each other’s disciplines in detail. These aren’t tick-box roles and shouldn’t be treated in isolation; they should sit at the core of design decisions on every project.

"Procurement remains a challenge. Many client bodies still appoint teams as they always have: civil engineers through structural engineers, landscape architects through architects, ecologists kept at arm’s length. I often find myself asking whether this is really the best way to create holistic sites that deliver for development, for people and for nature.

"A common thread in our work as a practice is helping clients and teams navigate the ever-changing world of environmental legislation. Whether it’s nitrates in a river catchment or the requirements for biodiversity enhancement, our advice is consistent: start early, make strategic decisions based on legislative requirements, and take a whole-team approach that brings development, ecology, drainage and landscape together.

"What have I learned from 10 years of guiding Land Studio? Never stand still. Always look to innovate. Always look to the future and the wider world – to guide how we work and operate. We are stronger as a team, and looking ahead, I believe the development world will continue to move towards a more holistic, nature-led approach that creates higher-quality places for people, nature and the climate as a whole.

"If I’ve worked with you at any point over the last decade – as a client, collaborator, colleague or part of the wider team – thank you. You’ve helped shape Land Studio, and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together in the next 10 years."