“SOFT ESTATE” derives from the Highways Agency (UK) term used to describe the natural habitats that have evolved along motorways and trunk roads, and looks at how these borders and marginal spaces offer a refuge for wildlife, AND are a naturally-occurring modern form of wilderness in the midst of intense urbanization. SOFT ESTATES are dynamic, constantly evolving and never fully static. They highlight the contrast between beauty and pollution, wilderness and human influence within our landscapes. They invite a different kind of engagement with the landscape, encouraging observation of these unexpected spaces if we stop, get out and look at them. This atmosphere, perspective and overall vibe resonates with us and perfectly captured our internal vision of designed spaces in urban captivity. We welcome the opportunity to apply our vision to small, blank slate gardens, as well as broad, open acreage.

We know that certain terms can call to mind a mental image and feel off-putting…..like when "‘organic” first emerged and people thought it only meant bruised tomatoes and meager harvests of lettuces. Now we know we can get beautiful produce and have beautiful vegetable beds and are comfortable with the term and demand its practice as we know the benefits for us, the planet, and our co-inhabitants of the land. ‘Habitat’ suffers the same prejudice at the moment. While providing for cover, homes, nesting and food for the creatures who originally inhabited the land, we make use of their natural pest management, are lulled to sleep by their hums and chirps, are woken on Spring mornings by their tentative songs, become invested in their fledgling flight-school episodes and get to engage with and observe actual NATURE within our private spaces. SOFT ESTATE creates habitat structures that are really sculptures and become part of the maturing plantscape and add to the atmosphere and story we are telling in the garden. We encourage leaving natural resources in place as much as possible to keep a ‘closed loop’ on soil food and plant nutrition needs. We get that ‘Habitat’ brings a picture, we ask that you forget that impression and allow the picture to be beautiful, romantic and artistic.

Thank you! We welcome any contributions to help secure our place in the landscape and garden design world. Angel investors, silent partners, bake sale proceed funds, neglected greenhouse usage, actual land, shiny new vehicle donation….we will say Yes to any of those opportunities. Get in touch with us and spread your wealth and resources, we can express teary-eyed thanks through cake and bespoke plated dinner party service (did we mention we worked in pastry and fine dining in a previous life?) Reach out! xo