Latest News and Projects
2011
The year has got off to a flying start (pun intended) with a trip to Chicago, where I experienced their second worst snowstorm in the city's history! Fantastic projects are brewing there, including green walls for the world renowned Millennium Park (within the left-hand border shown in the picture), and indoor and outdoor walls at O'Hare International Airport. These should both be up and live by June. I am involved in the establishment of the BioTecture green wall system on a global scale and am dealing with prospective setups in the UAE, Japan, Europe etc. This is happening via my Chicago-based business partner, Sage Botanic Media.
2010
This has been an intense year of work on vertical gardens, or green walls, plus a number for private and commercial landscapes. The project shown at right is a private courtyard at the King's Fund, Cavandish Square, London, designed by ML via BioTecture Ltd. Being a medical college (advisors to the NHS), all the plants on the wall were chosen for their medical uses, as well as their beauty and suitability.
I am working on a commercial landscape for the New Park Centre in Chichester, a community arts centre, which involves the use of permeable surfaces, infiltration beds, water rill with biofilter and a green wall.
2009
This seems to be a year of beach gardens again, with two projects underway on the Sussex coast. I am still working on a Huf Haus garden in surrey and also on some consultancy for urban design in London. Development of the BioTecture green walling continues and we have two green walls at the Chelsea Flower Show, one an edible wall (right) of “cut-and-come-again” salad leaves.
Urban vertical greening, both private and commercial, seems to be the way that work is developing, and where the demand is.
2008
I've principally been involved in the construction of three gardens this year, plus the design of a number more, including another large water garden, a beach garden and several Huf Haus projects. However, my main work has been with my Green Walling company, BioTecture Ltd. (aug 07 entry below or links page)
I've recently delivered another lecture on gardens and sustainability at this year's SDG Masterclass in Sustainable Design, which will be repeated next Spring in Edinburgh. This was recorded and made available by Gardens Illustrated, and can also be heard here.
October 2007
I've just returned from a trip to New Hampshire (USA), to see this completed water garden which I designed during 2006. To see more of this, click the top right-hand picture in the water gardens portfolio page.
The feature used local stone and craftsmen but had to be constructed to withstand winter temperatures as low as -30°!
September 2007
Started a new landscape project for a water garden near Chichester, involving a 28m pond, 40m stream and two large biofilters. A long, curving deck-walk connects the house and water garden together, winding between low mounds and generous drifts of bog plants, ground-covers and perennials.
August 2007
Started a new company to design and install vertical green walling systems to commercial and private buildings. There is a big future in this for both ecological and artistic reasons.
The company is called BioTecture Ltd and has it's own website at www.biotecture.uk.com
April 2007
Started a rebuild of a large pond I created 12 years ago. A 200 year old pine tree fell through the liner, requiring a major redesign and addition of a stream and biofilter. The pond biology had become unbalanced due to the past residence of ducks and geese, plus the introduction of grass carp, which eat all vegetation! Restoring the balance will be a long term effort, with a floating island and deep-water oxygenation to reduce sludge build-up.
March 2007
Commissioned to create a “Sustainable Landscape Strategy” document for the London School of Economics. To include urban streetscape, vertical surfaces (green walls), rooftop spaces, looking at sustainability, urban food production, positive design psychology, etc. etc.
