Hosted by Tom Stuart-Smith Studio Working With Water: from Engineering to Ecology is a two-day symposium of forward-thinking discussion, thought provoking presentations, shared knowledge and practical demonstrations.
Following the sold-out success of Working With Earth in 2024, this second symposium brings together a community of some of the UK's most innovative and acclaimed water specialists, engineers, ecologists and horticulturists, working across sustainable Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design today.
Topics covered will range from river restoration to installing and restoring water features so that they are more sustainable, from SUDS to the ecological imperative of water, from managing water quality across cities to creating and planting lakes and natural swimming ponds; scaling right across the board from smaller domestic projects , to larger rural, historic and urban projects.
This symposium will bring together the following leading experts in their fields:
- Ed Barsley, is Director at The Environmental Design Studio Ltd and a specialist in environmental design in architecture, with a particular interest in developing strategies to reduce flood risk
- Kevin Barton, Landscape Architect and M.D., Robert Bray Associates is a leading SUDS specialist.
- Professor Nigel Dunnett, Professor of Planting Design, Vegetation Technology and Urban Horticulture at University of Sheffield with particular experience in creating rain gardens
- Ben Garner, Owner, Water Artisans, leading designers of swimming ponds and biologically treated water features
- Dr Nick Haycock, Director, Haycock Environmental Consultants a specialist hydrology, hydro-ecology and hydro-chemistry team dedicated to the restoration and creation of waterscapes.
- Fred Labbe, Director, Expedition Engineering a leading expert on sustainable drainage working internationally on large and complex projects
- Melanie Sanders, River Recovery Manager, Knepp Wildland Foundation has managed the rewilding of the River Adur on the Knepp Estate
- Tom Stuart-Smith, Landscape Architect and Director, Tom Stuart-Smith Studio
- Professor Juliet Osborne, Ecologist, University of Exeter, explores the essential role of water in maintaining biodiversity of insects and other animals in managed landscapes, via ecological functions such as pollination.
- Will Tomson, Garden Designer, Creative Cultivation designs and creates sustainably built wildlife gardens and natural swimming ponds.
With more names to be announced.
Image above: Reflection Garden, 25 Cannon Street, designed by Tom Stuart-Smith Studio. Photo copyright Marianne Majerus.
Information
From ecosystems to urban systems, water underpins our daily lives. We live in a time where flooding and drought impact the landscape throughout the year. With extreme events on the increase, the science and art of using, managing and engineering water to great impact is indisputably an essential part of garden and landscape design.
Join us as we take a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities presented by water, in an ever-changing climate.
The Working with Water symposium takes place in a new venue The Apple House, at the heart of the Plant Library and home to the Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity and Health. The building, designed by architect Ben Stuart-Smith at the design collective Okra, was created using almost exclusively natural materials above ground level,
Tickets include a homecooked vegetarian lunch and refreshments.
Full symposium and individual day tickets are available, with Thursday 25 September, focussing on engineering and the technical aspects of creating and developing water sources and features and Friday 26 September focussing on water use and management in relation to planting and ecology.
Accessibility
Accessible parking for those who require it is available at the entry to The Apple House. There is step-free access to the building and all areas. However, there are many potential trip hazards and uneven surfaces that may be encountered whilst visiting the gardens, along with gravel paths that aren’t suitable for walking frames with wheels. Please be aware that due to the ongoing building works around the Apple House, there may be additional hazards to look out for.