Cgd landscape design, a UK based garden and landscape design practice, has been contacted in connection with several overseas projects including a submission for an international design competition in Germany. This was the first landscape design competition of this nature for cgd directors, Helen Billetop and Sally Court. Over the past twenty years or so they have, as garden and landscape designers, been asked to design and build many show gardens but never enter an international design competition of this nature and complexity.
Sally explained that “We were flattered and more than a little proud to have been short-listed along with four large established landscape architect practices. What an unique experience!"
Sally explained that “We were flattered and more than a little proud to have been short-listed along with four large established landscape architect practices. What an unique experience!"
Having attended the colloquium with the other contenders, the directors became aware of the amount of work and detail required for this large area of neglected and partially derelict land which had been designated for the “English Themed Garden”. This area required a design incorporating three distinct sections including a functioning café/tearoom and access roads, all to be costed out including labour, annual maintenance and not to exceed a budget of €1 million.
“An English theme was required, subject matter which we felt really comfortable with. Initially it sounded like a substantial budget and in normal circumstances it would be. After the colloquium when we were briefed on the criteria required for the parklands, we quickly realised that the budget allocated would barely meet the needs. Four hectares in all to landscape into gardens and parklands as well as a fully functioning café and offices meant that we had to bring in an architect who understood people flow, Eco structures and budgets.”
The design required both pedestrian and vehicular access for deliveries to the café with paths to connect the new gardens with the existing and proposed infrastructures. Not least a comprehensive creative solution that not only conveys the essence of an English landscape but also links seamlessly into the existing and future landscaped parklands. No small task.
Having sketched out their initial concept, honed down the ideas and hand-drawn up the plans on drawing boards the schemes were then transferred onto CAD. Two freelance landscape design experts were brought in to interpret the concepts and drawings. Working as a team, not always communicating on the same level did cause a few misunderstandings initially, quickly became a very positive experience.
“The whole competition has been exciting and put a new impetus into our business. Whether or not we win this landscape design competition has proved to us, garden designers, that we can compete alongside the big guns, landscape architects, with their entire backup and enter a truly professional design. Bring on the next competition, we are ready and waiting.”
“An English theme was required, subject matter which we felt really comfortable with. Initially it sounded like a substantial budget and in normal circumstances it would be. After the colloquium when we were briefed on the criteria required for the parklands, we quickly realised that the budget allocated would barely meet the needs. Four hectares in all to landscape into gardens and parklands as well as a fully functioning café and offices meant that we had to bring in an architect who understood people flow, Eco structures and budgets.”
The design required both pedestrian and vehicular access for deliveries to the café with paths to connect the new gardens with the existing and proposed infrastructures. Not least a comprehensive creative solution that not only conveys the essence of an English landscape but also links seamlessly into the existing and future landscaped parklands. No small task.
Having sketched out their initial concept, honed down the ideas and hand-drawn up the plans on drawing boards the schemes were then transferred onto CAD. Two freelance landscape design experts were brought in to interpret the concepts and drawings. Working as a team, not always communicating on the same level did cause a few misunderstandings initially, quickly became a very positive experience.
“The whole competition has been exciting and put a new impetus into our business. Whether or not we win this landscape design competition has proved to us, garden designers, that we can compete alongside the big guns, landscape architects, with their entire backup and enter a truly professional design. Bring on the next competition, we are ready and waiting.”
FACTFILE:
cgd landscape design is a new landscape architecture and design practice brings together the creativity, expertise and experience of two of the UK's top garden designers, Helen Billetop and Sally Court, based in London, England
The practice specialises in providing a comprehensive and personalised landscape design service for private individuals and corporate clients in the UK and overseas.
With expertise in planting design across all climate zones and working with locally sourced materials and quality contractors, they are currently commissioned on several prestigious projects in the UK, Moscow, Russia and in New York State, USA.
Their philosophy combines the functional with the artistic to create inspired and sustainable gardens and landscapes. They embrace local characteristics and conditions to develop landscape design solutions which are sympathetic and can be surprising in their simplicity.
enquiries@cgd-landscape-design.com
www.cgd-landscape-design.com/
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