SGD AUTUMN 2021 CONFERENCE

SENSE OF PLACE: listening to the land

Saturday 27th November 2021

"consult the genius of the place in all." Alexander Pope (1688 – 1744)  

Image: The Kitchen Garden designed by Harris Bugg Studio - RHS Garden Bridgewater (profile) by Neil Hepworth © RHS

The SGD Autumn conference explored genius loci, spirit, or sense of place. How to design with genuine sensitivity to the existing landscape; in other words, how to listen to the land.

The qualities and benefits of sense of place in landscape have been known for centuries, yet its essence often remains an esoteric and often misunderstood part of landscape design, something that is easily overlooked as an unnecessary complication or an impediment to budget. In an increasingly homogenised world, how do we create or maintain a space that speaks of and to its unique surroundings?

As garden & landscape designers, we have to think carefully about the layers that we add to a garden whilst acknowledging those that came before. Designs need to respect the past, and yet not be so ephemeral that they contribute nothing of lasting value.

Our conference speakers and chair discussed contemporary and contextual landscape design, post ‘wild' landscapes, and working with the natural process, as well as how to respond sensitively to the atmosphere and mood of a site, how to distil or impart its unique character, and the challenges of working within the framework of one of the world’s best loved historical gardens.

They examined why the landscapes they design are worlds of their own, are wholly right for their locations, offer the chance for escape, delight, reflection and illumination, and respond sensitively to the atmosphere and mood of a site. They explained how we can truly 'listen to the land'.

Speakers were Isabella Tree, Teresa Moller, Troy Scott Smith, Charlotte Harris & Hugo Bugg, and Aniket Bhagwat. The event was chaired by Humaira Ikram.

Purchase the on-demand Autumn Conference videos here! 

The SGD Autumn Conference 2021 was kindly sponsored by Landscapeplus and MFL