Simon Watkins, Landscape Architect

About
1 Services - 4 technical drawing 1
Chartered landscape architect

I studied Landscape Architecture at the University of Central England (now Birmingham City University), whilst training and practising with the Groundwork Trust, quickly getting first hand experience planning, designing and seeing through exciting landscape schemes including cycle paths, public art commissions, habitat creation and streetscape improvements.

Later, in private practice I learned the art of landscape and visual impact assessment, planned major new green infrastructure around road, commercial and residential development, create significant new public spaces and saw several designs win or be shortlisted for awards.

I have specialist skills in productive landscapes and sustainable water management, acquired through my study and practise of permaculture, regenerative design and agroecology.  I am a member of the Humanitarian Landscape Collective and a Building with Nature Assessor.

Understanding landscape

Landscape is so much more than the view.  It is relationship: a partnership between humanity and nature.  Never fixed, landscape is an aeons-old dance involving climate, earth, people and all other species.  We come late to that dance - novice guests, needing to observe and interact before making our moves.  We can be creatures but not wholly creators of landscape, dependent as we are on every other element.  What we build may outlast us in some form but more likely will be replaced within a short space of time; but what we build matters because it either helps or hinders every other inhabitant.  Above all, landscape can be our ally in solving the climate and biodiversity crises if we pay attention to the patterns and relationships within it - it's a question of design, of intent and willingness to work within environmental boundaries.  Landscape planning, design and management are as knowledge-intensive and science-driven as they are creative and expressive.  I aim to synthesise knowledge and creativity to help realise the potential for a deep understanding of landscape to answer the environmental and social challenges of every project.

Qualifications and Skills

I hold a Bachelors in Mathematics with Physics, a Masters in Control Systems Engineering, PGDipLA in Landscape Architecture (UCE), a Permaculture Design Certificate,
a Masters in Food Security Management (Coventry University) and RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture.

Building with Nature Approved Assessor

AutoCAD and KeySCAPE, Rhino 3d

Corel suite for graphic design

NBS Landscape

PlantPartner

1 Services - 2 Building with Nature