The Drawing Board - Autumn 2020
AUTUMN 2020
Autumn is a beautiful and exciting time of year. Late flowering species, and autumn colour bring joy as the seasons shift.
PROJECT OF THE MONTH
This property in Manchester was designed for year round seasonal interest. Vegetable gardens can be managed to grow a winter crop and new specimens with spectacular autumn foliage can complement existing mature trees. A bonfire feature with a paved edge and set within a hedge circular frame allows for autumnal and winter evening socialising when the weather turns cool.
SKETCHBOOK
Many of our projects are located in unique natural landscapes. This scheme adjacent to a lake set parameters for the landscape design. Planting and structural features are placed to frame views to the water and to soften level changes. An upper level lawn is proposed for functional use, with a more intimate and secluded hot tub, bbq and fire pit area situated next to a new lake house and the waters edge, tucked within an embankment and set in front of a retaining wall to anchor these elements in the new garden setting.
BEFORE & AFTER
This family garden in south Manchester features some beautiful structural elements to allow different areas for different uses. A contemporary water feature divides the seating deck from a yoga lawn. Bespoke metal arbours with climbing plants and parasol trees create an intimate and inviting outdoor dining area. Metal screens amongst the ornamental shrub and herbaceous planting frame the formal garden.
BEHIND THE SCENES
We welcome our new Associate Director, Matt Unwin. Since qualifying as a Landscape Architect in 1998, Matthew has amassed considerable and wide-ranging expertise in landscape architecture with over 20 years’ experience in landscape design, project management and implementation across projects both nationally and internationally. Matt has held general management and operational roles over his career, substantially based in the UK, Hong Kong and Australia.
Matthew’s work embraces commercial projects, public spaces, urban design, residential developments, gardens and landscape art with a substantial and varied portfolio which includes delivering designs to local governments, business and private clients in Australia, UK, Asia and Europe. Major projects have varied from public realm and foreshore designs in Australia to club house and resort developments in China to exclusive residential schemes and roof gardens in London.
Matt has collected numerous Landscape Architecture awards both in Australia and UK and he is driven by a passion for creative and exciting spatial design while ensuring client’s visions are transformed into elegant, innovative and functional spaces.
Senior Landscape Architect and Photographer Tom Biddle recently visited specialist tree growers Specimen Trees to capture their nursery in Knutsford during its autumnal show of colour.
