In Conversation; Led by the Landscape – Designing with Heart

Published on 28th March 2025 by Wendy Perring

Designing with Heart and Collaborating Well. Conversations with a Landscape Architect

I am often asked by clients, “Do we need a landscape architect?” My answer is always a resounding yes. I then explain the critical role of the Landscape Architect and emphasise that it is vital they join the design team as early as possible. In February last year, we had a conversation about resilience in landscape design with Claire Stokoe from Studio Stokoe Knight, which was featured in Architecture Magazine. Recently, I had the pleasure of enjoying a coffee break chat with James Hamilton, Director at SEED Landscape Design: https://seedlandscape.com, who we have worked with on many projects over the past decade. We discussed the often-misunderstood role of the landscape architect and the similarities in our processes.

James and I both agree that collaboration between architects and landscape architects is essential in creating spaces that are not only functional and beautiful but also environmentally sustainable and resilient. We enjoy looking at a site through the eyes of a Landscape Architect and believe that to be genuinely led by the landscape, we need to understand landscape character and context, the opportunities the context creates, and be mindful of the impact of our actions on that context. Our relationship with SEED Landscape has been instrumental in achieving successful outcomes on several complex sites.

Are Landscape Architects Garden Designers?

Clients often ask if Landscape Architects are Garden Designers, and I explain that while they are not the same, each is valuable. James, who transitioned from garden design to landscape architecture explains: “The big difference is the planting. Garden designers are much better at planting. Landscape architecture is a lot more technical, especially with contractual elements, levels, and technical packages. The garden design education was a lot more practical, and I think landscape architects should do more of it.” He adds that landscape architecture education places more emphasis on studying landscape character, context, urban landscapes, and urban place-making.

The Importance of Early Involvement

James emphasises the value of early involvement of landscape architects in projects: “Our favourite projects are those where we’re involved right at the beginning, influencing the location of the building and having initial discussions about what we could do.” Early collaboration allows for a holistic approach to design, ensuring that both architectural and landscape elements are seamlessly integrated. I couldn’t agree more. I am always delighted when a client agrees to appoint a landscape architect at the beginning of a project so we can embark on the design journey together. This enriches the result and has completely altered our way of thinking about integrating buildings into their context. Taking time to properly understand the landscape context and how it has evolved over time can often generate the narrative for the architectural approach. This was the case in a recent collaboration on a complex Greenbelt site in Hertfordshire. We visited the site together, discussed where the house should be in relation to the landscape, how the house should be approached, the journey through the landscape, the arrival sequence, and the atmosphere we wanted to create. The project was won at appeal, as the appeal officer recognised that the house and landscape were in synergy and would not be detrimental to the Greenbelt and adjacent ancient woodland. Construction is about to start.

 

Emotional Response to Landscape

This emotional response is a key aspect of James and the SEED team’s approach. James explains, "Our process involves going to the site and responding to it emotionally, not just analytically." Like our initial design sketches, which are always emotive, James adds that "loose drawing is a significant part of this emotional response, with raw sketches often expressing more than polished drawings."

We both agree that this connection to the site is crucial in creating designs that are both meaningful and impactful. This requires confidence and experience as you learn to trust your instinctive response to place. I think of it as a form of ‘tuning in’ to the site’s wavelength. It is a way of thinking about place and place-making that, like a muscle, becomes more developed as you constantly put it into practice. James adds, "You can't be too analytical; there's got to be something from the heart. We do this job because we love it, so you should bring some of that into the design process."

Real Opportunity

Collaboration offers real tangible opportunities to enhance the environment. James shares, "Creating an opportunity for one species creates opportunities for others. For example, a woodland edge creates insect biomass, which promotes invertebrates and birds, leading to an explosion of diversity. It changes the feeling of the site over time."

Creative collaboration between architects and landscape architects is crucial in creating resilient and beautiful designs. By working together from the early stages of a project, we can ensure that both architectural and landscape elements are seamlessly integrated, resulting in spaces that are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally sustainable.

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