Overview This week focused on bioengineering and nature-based solutions within landscape architecture, delivered by Mike Yates from Salix River and Wetland Services. The lecture explored how natural systems, such as vegetation and soil processes, can be used to stabilise land, manage water, and restore ecological function. It highlighted a shift away from traditional “hard engineering” approaches towards more sustainable and adaptive landscape strategies. Key Learning A key t

Overview This week focused on the use of natural stone within landscape architecture, delivered by David Richardson and Lisa Nunn of FMDC. The lecture explored how stone is used in paving, kerbs, and public realm design, highlighting both its aesthetic and technical importance. It also introduced industry standards and best practice when selecting and specifying stone materials. Key Learning A key takeaway from this session is that natural stone is a durable and high-quality

Overview This week focused on landscape lighting design, delivered by Paul Traynor from Light Bureau. The session explored how lighting shapes the experience of outdoor spaces, influencing atmosphere, safety, and spatial perception. The lecture introduced lighting as both a technical and creative discipline, showing how it contributes to the overall success of public realm design. Key Learning A key takeaway from this session is that lighting should enhance space, not dominat

Overview This week focused on pavement construction and the technical principles behind successful landscape surfaces. The lecture, delivered by industry professionals, explored the evolution of paving design, common causes of failure, and the importance of correct material selection and construction methods. It also introduced a range of surfacing types, including asphalt, resin-bound gravel, rubber surfacing, and self-binding gravel, alongside key technical guidance such as

Overview This week focused on climate change, carbon emissions, and the role of landscape architecture in achieving sustainability and net-zero targets. The lecture explored global frameworks such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, as well as the UK’s commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It also introduced key concepts such as carbon footprint, embodied carbon, and lifecycle assessment, highlighting how design decisions directly impact environment

Overview This week introduced civil engineering principles within landscape architecture, focusing on site levels, earthworks, drainage, and construction build-ups. The lecture emphasised how landscapes are shaped through technical processes such as grading, excavation, and material layering, ensuring that designs are both functional and buildable. It also highlighted the importance of working with engineers and considering environmental factors such as flooding, contaminatio

This week consisted of a site visit across central London, exploring a range of contemporary and historic public spaces. The journey began at King’s Cross, followed by Tottenham Court Road, and ended at St Paul’s, allowing us to observe different approaches to landscape design, materiality, and user interaction within urban environments. The visit focused on understanding how design is applied in real contexts, particularly how people use space, how materials perform over tim

Overview This week introduced key structural principles within landscape architecture, focusing on retaining walls, reinforced systems, and tensile (fabric) structures. The lecture explained how structures are designed to safely transfer loads into the ground and remain stable under different forces. It also highlighted the relationship between landscape design and engineering, showing how elements such as walls, terraces, and canopy structures require both aesthetic and stru

Overview This week’s lecture focused on the design and construction of free-standing walls, with a particular emphasis on brick as a key material in landscape architecture. The session introduced the properties of brick, its structural capabilities, and how it can be used to create durable and visually strong elements within outdoor spaces. The lecture also explored how brick walls are constructed, including bonding patterns, mortar joints, and considerations for long-term pe

Overview This week focused on the importance of soil as a fundamental component of landscape design, alongside understanding how trees are produced and established for urban environments. Soil was introduced as a living, dynamic system that supports plant growth and wider ecological processes. The session also explored how trees are grown in nurseries and the different production systems used before they are planted on site. Key Learning – Soil as a System One of the most imp

Natural woodland structure showing biodiversity and irregular growth patterns Overview This week’s lecture, led by arborist Jim Quaife, introduced the fundamentals of woodland establishment and tree management. The session challenged the assumption that “trees just grow,” instead highlighting that successful woodland design requires careful planning, maintenance, and long-term consideration. The lecture was divided into two parts: understanding woodland establishment and expl

This week focused on contributing to the development and organisation of the group report through visual research, site analysis, and precedent exploration. Real-life examples were documented to understand planting character, ecological conditions, and the spatial qualities present within different landscape environments. Existing precedent imagery and site photographs were incorporated into the report to support the analytical narrative and strengthen the visual communicatio

This is us mid-term doing our layers on our trace, taking a moment to thank we have eachother, all three of us

Everyone on site is mostly travelling alone, walking alone or with their animals, or even just eating alone. i found that very strange as there are community centres, and local coffee shops nearby where they can all sit and communicate.

I went back on site around 2 and found that residents who lived near the river had private access to areas which the public did not, from areas in which they can sit, read, and go on walks. These images show the public area which everyone can access. I heard it gets super busy during the summer.

shows different types of tree species

the pin point shows our site location from a pedestrian point of view.

As I was walking along the river on my site, I realised not one of the trees was in good shape, either from no maintenance or neglect over the years. Some trees had deep cracks running vertically down their trunk , which sould be an enviromental factor and or a lack of care.

The Thames Barrier caught my eye beacuse of its crucial piece of infrastructure that plays a significant role in protecting London from tidal flooding, people walk past it not knowing the significance it holds.

As we were walking, I realised there were mini wind turbines, which I found super interesting. Being near the river meant more wind would be generated; therefore, more energy would be made compared to a normal location for wind turbines. This is where the spark of my dissertation topic started to form.