The design of outdoor spaces is central to what we do as a practice and the scale of spaces we work with can vary greatly, from estates and parks measuring hundreds of hectares to roof-top gardens of only a few square metres. Our work within these spaces can also vary, from providing the broad master-planning, through to more detailed landscape design and planting plans.
Regardless of the scale of a project, we are interested in understanding how the space relates to the landscape that surrounds it and the stories that are associated with it; ecology and narrative are strong influences during our design process. All spaces have messages and stories embodied within them. Some of these will be intentional; others are products of the design process. These may be simple messages, such as ‘this is a safe place to be’, or more complex stories and information associated with education and heritage facilities. Narrative space design ensures that a space conveys the desired stories and messages. In situations where an organisation is trying to tell a story for educational or recreational gain, this approach is a vital, but often overlooked, aspect of the site’s interpretation.
When designing private gardens, we are interested in how outdoor spaces relate to the buildings within them and the spaces within these buildings. To achieve this, FRLA likes to form strong working relationships with architects.
