SIMON RICHARDS

“At Land Studio, we embed nature into our designs, whether we are designing a landscape for a school, a residential street, or the re-interpretation of a National Trust property.

The water cycle is a key component of our landscapes that also needs to be addressed and fully integrated into our built environment. Enhancement of watercourses and de-culverting of drains are integral to healthy habitats and visible nature.

The re-establishment of ancient water management practices through rain gardens, woodland management and, critically, the siting of new development help create a resilient natural environment whilst demonstrating to people the positive value of water in our landscapes.

Bio-diversity enhancement is important too so we’re looking at ways of creating bold and wild landscapes on a podium roof or installing a diverse planting palette based on ancient wild woods to enhance the setting of a glamping site.

The health of our soils has long been a forgotten component in our landscapes but it forms an integral part of a successful rehabilitation of the natural environment and the enhanced sequestration of carbon.

Linked to water management, the re-wilding of our catchment areas and their soils could be used as a real-world demonstration of the healing power of nature.

Nature is at the heart of our practice. If we enable people to have a better understanding of the importance of nature, then we have a greater chance of successfully tackling the challenges of our changing climate.”