DESIGN STUDIO

From historic country estates to iconic London squares and mews gardens, our garden design studio focuses on a small selection of projects which allows us to bring the very best solutions and recommendations to each site we work on.

Julia has an unusual background in history, horticulture, finance & design and has worked on a wide range of landscape & urban conservation projects over 30 years.

Her wealth of experience enables the design studio to professionally navigate the complexities of historical conservation as well as innovate fresh design solutions, which have legacy & value.

Our studio's approach is collaborative, methodical and pragmatic. We seek ways to enhance the sense of place, conserve the historical significance of the site and innovate practical solutions so that our sites can fourish in the future.

Our services include:

1. Assessment and Research

Drafting Statements of Significance.through identifying the historical, architectural and cultural values of the site.
Evaluating the impact of proposed developmentson the landscape through Heritage Impact Assessments (HIA).
Advising on Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) through mapping and analysing the historical development of a broader landscape.
In conjuction with various specialist consultants, undetaking Condition Surveys which record the current state of heritage assets such as planting, follies and historic walls.
Researching historical maps, archives, and archaeological records for early-stage planning.

2. Strategic Planning and Management

Creating and preparing long-term strategies to balance preservation with modern use by developing Conservation Management Plans (CMP).
Helping private individuals & organisations develop commercial strategies to secure funding from bodies like the National Lottery Heritage Fund and developing revenue projects.
Analysing the visual effect of new structures on historic views and townscapes through Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA).

3. Design and Restoration

We design conservation-sensitive plans which focus on context and sustainabilty.
We develop restoration overlays and can design and recommend substitutes for lost landscape features such as rockwork, garden buildings and ornamentation.
We consult on Interpretation Planning which includes designing signange, maps and plans which explain a site's history to the public.

4. Specialist Advisory

We can act as Subject Matter Specialists and Expert Witness Services and provide evidence for planning appeals and public inquiries..