Gardens for Life Ltd announced Supreme Winner of the Association of Professional
Landscapers Awards 2010
Gardens For Life Ltd has scooped
the top award at the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) Awards 2010 for
the design and construction of a stunning natural garden with a bold and dramatic
planting scheme.
The awards, sponsored by Bradstone, recognise and promote the very best in landscaping
undertaken by APL members in categories that range from smaller projects to garden
maintenance to contracts of over £100,000. The awards attracted a record number
of entries this year and are a celebration of the high standards that have been
achieved by members demonstrating the APL’s commitment to quality landscaping.
APL Vice chairman and chair of the judging panel, Mark Gregory, commented “Again
we had a bumper crop of quality schemes to judge from. What continually amazes me
is the diversity and range of schemes our members are working on along with a continued
trend of some amazing high end large schemes there are some superb smaller gardens
with some great detailing and passion evident. “
Judge Chris Young commented “Being a member of the judging panel opens your eyes
to the breadth and quality of work taking place in the garden and landscape sector.
As ever with the APL awards, we see construction of the highest level, as well as
the continuing relationship between contractors and designers improving. Submissions
were up this year, which is testament to the positive role industry awards can play.”
The judging panel consisted of Mark Gregory (Landform Consultants and APL vice-chair),
Chris Young (RHS), Sally Holgate (Bradstone), Andy Sturgeon (Andy Sturgeon Landscape
& Design), Jason Lock (DeakinLock Garden Design and APL CEO) and Alex Webster
(The Essential Earthmen and APL Committee).
The Award categories for 2010 are: Front Garden, Landscape/Garden scheme (under
£15,000, £15,000 - £30,000, £30,000 - £60,000, £60,000 - £100,000 and over £100,000),
Soft Landscaping, Overall Design and Build, Maintenance, Special Feature, Young
Achievers Award and the supreme winner.
THE WINNERS
Supreme winner – Soft Landscaping
Gardens For Life is the Supreme winner of the 2010 APL awards
for their project submission in this category. The client was keen to see an abundance
of flowers, grasses, winter stems and trees to maintain a natural look to the garden
and encourage wildlife. The focal point of the garden is the lake which is quite
imposing as you enter the drive. All aspects of the lake were softened with planting
to create a feeling of continuity, movement and flow. Repeat planting was used to
lead the eye around the lake at different times of the year. The lake was emptied
and its contours re-sculptured to a new design using on-site clay. An island and
two waterfalls were created to flow into the lake, and an oak deck/jetty was constructed
with covered pergola. The judges commented that there was a “good use of plants
with a variety of seasonal planting” and that the design “suits the site very well.”
Winner – Project value under £15,000
Twigs is the winner in this category for designing and constructing
‘A Gentleman’s retreat’ – a garden for entertaining that made the best use of the
steeply sloping north facing site. They created a solidly built outdoor space using
local materials in keeping with the property’s surroundings; keeping it light and
colourful despite the north facing shady aspect. The judges commented that the work
was “very good value for money with very good construction detail and planting and
nice work with client.”
Winner - Project £15,000 - £30,000
The Garden Builders / Deckall Ltd’s brief was to construct
a roof terrace on the top penthouse floor of an imposing central London mansion
block as per design supplied by Andy Sturgeon Garden Design. The designer’s brief
was to create a chic, roof terrace including weather resilient low level sedum planting
to be used as an attractive entertaining space for a professional city family. Most
items in the space were to be bespoke in order to fit into the rather unusual terrace.
A hoist was employed in order to elevate all of the required materials and remove
unwanted items from the site. A focal point in the terrace garden is a beautifully
framed sculpture. The framework is cleverly incorporated into the seating and planting
area with a high level of attention to detail. The judges commented that the work
was “Technically good and well made using quality materials, and good value for
money”
Winner - Project £30,000 - £60,000
Holland Landscapes were contracted to create a suitable terrace
area from land purchased from the client’s neighbour. The site had very poor access
so only small vehicles could be used. The main problem was the removal of spoil
from the site but that was overcome by an obliging local farmer who needed 40 tonnes
of sub-soil. Old Rectory Sandstone paving and Old Essex bricks were used to compliment
the cottage. The judges commented that this was a “Quality construction, strong
brickwork creating a brilliant wall with very good radial sweeps.”
Winner – Project £60,000 - £100,000
Original Landscapes is the winner in this category for construction
and landscaping around a new swimming pool. The client had commissioned Chelsea
gold medal winner George Carter to design the layout of the garden. The swimming
pool site consisted of a large Thuja hedge at the end of a gently sloping area of
grass which ran up to some existing apple trees on one side and a tennis court on
the other. The site had to be leveled, the hedge removed and the various excavations
undertaken including the swimming pool dig. The judges commented that this scheme
was a “simple and well executed with very good construction with a strong water
feature and good detailing.”
Winner – Project over £100,000
Walmsley Shaw constructed what they describe as “the most
complex job our company has ever undertaken” and are deserving winners of this award.
The client wanted to create a new garden with interest and vistas which could be
enjoyed from their beautiful house. The key feature of the garden is the 30 metre
long Ipe hardwood pergola walkway. The surveying, alignment and positioning of this
structure was critical, and there was only a 20mm tolerance from end to end of the
total structure. The multi-level nature of the garden was a perfect opportunity
to incorporate water movement, so rills and shutes were incorporated into the three
levels. The judges commented the garden included “very nice details which give it
a quality feel.”
Winner – Overall design and build
Artscape Design and Build is the winner in this category
for the design and construction of this smart and simple garden surrounding a house
made up of an eclectic mix of modern and traditional buildings. The materials used
were sympathetic with the interiors of the properties. A courtyard was created in
one small area, and clever use of grey paving, an abundance of white flowering plants
and a faux lead water feature all added to the atmosphere in what used to be an
unused part of the garden. A whole new back garden was constructed incorporating
a large barn building. A pergola was stained black to match the barn and was built
around the seating area, lush planting surrounded the area and a beautiful urn was
centrally positioned as a focal point. Judges commented that the “planting and hard
detailing works very well” and demonstrated a “good use of space.”
Winner – Maintenance
Gardens For Life win the maintenance category for a garden
they designed and built from an awkward and exposed site in 2003. Having built up
a good relationship with the client during the construction process, they were well
positioned to commence the maintenance during the planting. This was to ensure that
the garden would develop and prosper over the coming years. They have been maintaining
it ever since using approximately 28 man-hours per week. The judges commented that
this project demonstrated “immaculate maintenance, with clean lines of hedges and
perennial planting and an amazing lawn stripes brings the whole garden together.”
Winner – Special Feature
RG Landscapes and Construction’s brief was to construct a
gazebo in English oak giving the impression that it is floating on a lake. The clients
wanted the “wow factor” with the woodland backdrop view from the house. The structure
needed to reflect the shape of the stone window lintels of the main house and it
was necessary to formulate the correct height, at water level, to tie up the ‘punt’.
The judges commented that this was a “well made, good construction with good attention
to detail.”
Winner – Young Achievers Award
RG Landscapes and Construction nominated 22 year old employee
Rob Coxage for this award highlighting his work on a complete landscape design and
build from a derelict site into a pleasant usable garden in Suffolk. Rob surpassed
all expectations of him and it became clear to his employer that he was capable
of carrying out all of the work involved in transforming the site. Judges commented
that the entry was a “very well presented case that showed a wide variety of skills.
The work is something he should be proud of. Very well done.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED AND COMMENDED
Project value under £15,000
Highly Commended
Hambrook Landscapes
Commended:
Goscote Design Practice
Project value £15,000 - £30,000
Highly Commended:
Hillier Landscapes
Project value £30,000 - £60,000
Highly Commended
The Garden Builders
Commended:
Hillier Landscapes
Project value over £100,000
Highly Commended:
Arun Landscapes
Overall Design and Build
Commended:
The Garden Builders
Commercial Garden
Commended:
Hillier Landscapes
Special Feature
Highly Commended:
The Garden Builders
Commended
Gartenart Natural Swimming Ponds
Young Achievers Award
Highly Commended:
Bosworth’s Landscapes