Landscape architect

Adam White

  • Name:

    Adam White

  • Gender:

    Male

  • Location:

    Kingston Upon Thames, England

  • Occupation:

    Principal landscape architect, Groundwork West London

  • Hobbies:

    Cycling in Richmond Park, Rowing on the Thames and the odd bit of DJ'ing/ Bingo calling!

  • School/College:
"After 10 years working as a Landscape Architect it is still really exciting to see a design develop from an idea into a project actually constructed on the ground. The most rewarding aspect of my job is working with communities that will eventaully get to use the space and hopefully take ownership"
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Do you have to be a people person to do your job?
Definitely. Groundwork is all about working together to improve the places where we live. But you can’t make a sustainable design in an ivory tower. Working with the community gives people the opportunity to express their ideas, vent their frustrations and turn them into opportunities for improvement. What we do with a public space depends on the groups that use it – businesses, young people, the sports community – there are always interested parties. When you develop a landscape with the people who are going to be using it, they get a real sense of ownership, which is great. We get plenty of feedback – especially if our design doesn’t work! There’s nothing better than positive feedback but it’s also good to learn from negative feedback.

What personal qualities do you need for the job?
Imagination, enthusiasm, strong design skills, a love of the environment… You also need good communication and negotiation skills. You have to accept that the design in your head may have to change when you discuss it with end users.

Oh, and you need loads of patience because designing and constructing a landscape takes a long time! The vision in your head is 20 years down the line when you’re using natural materials. It’s frustrating but it’s also rewarding. A building starts to deteriorate as soon as it’s finished, whereas a landscape, if it’s managed properly, can only improve and develop with age. That’s what’s unique about landscape architecture.

Do you take your work home with you?
Yes, but in a good way. I’m looking at things and coming up with ideas all the time. I cycle to work every day through Richmond Park and it’s so natural, it’s really inspiring. Every time I step out of a shop or a building into the space outside I’m thinking of ideas. As a designer, you never switch off.

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