Professional Practice Visit: An afternoon with Gillespies London Office

MA Landscape Architecture and MA Garden Design students visited renowned landscape architecture practice Gillespies London on 26^th November 2016. Managing Director Steve Wardell introduced us the practice history, philosophy and types of projects they have been working in recent years. Gillespies is one of the biggest practices solely based on the landscape architects in UK with 60 staff. Steve explained us how the practice has started with two landscape architects in London and expanded their work and practice in 16 years. The range of projects showed us that landscape architects have to deal with all scales and types of projects from urban street design to private gardens and large scale master planning in UK and abroad. Their success is from a strong design led approach including a variety of experts from engineers to ecologists and soil experts who are collaborating throughout the design process. It was great to see the hand drawing, model making and the planting knowledge as key elements in skill development alongside the other technical aspects of the profession.

Associate partner Armel Mourgue later continued to explain their design strategies and how they approach to their projects and communicate with clients. Students were interested in the representation techniques and design process. Later students had the opportunity to attend a design charrette and develop quick design ideas for the Crossrail Garden Project that Gillespies designed for Canary Wharf. One of our graduates who started to work with Gillespies 3 months ago told us of his experience from the interview process through to his new working life in a leading landscape office in London.

Office visits are very valuable for students as it gives a good insight into the professional practice world, an idea of the type of scale of practice students may consider for their employment as well as good connections with the industry. Overall it was a very successful afternoon and finished with a fish and chips in a London pub before going back to the University College student halls in Chelmsford!