Gustafson Porter + Bowman

A Camden-based landscape architecture practice, known for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park.

About Gustafson Porter + Bowman

Gustafson Porter + Bowman is a London landscape architecture practice. It designs parks, squares, memorials and gardens, often with sculptural shapes and a strong feeling for how people move through them. It is best known for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park. Other UK projects include Old Market Square in Nottingham, the International Quarter London in Stratford, Rathbone Square in central London, Chelsea Barracks, the courtyard at London Metropolitan University's Holloway campus, and the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. It was part of the winning team, with Adjaye Associates and Ron Arad Architects, for the National Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre.

Landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson and architect Neil Porter opened the practice in 1997. Mary Bowman, who joined in 2002, became a named partner in January 2017, when the name changed to Gustafson Porter + Bowman. Sibylla Hartel and Donncha O Shea are also partners. The practice says it pushes the boundaries of landscape design and is known for sensual and sculptural features. It also created the first landscape installation at the 2008 Venice Architecture Biennale, which shows how the practice sees landscape as a form of design that deserves its own place in architecture exhibitions.

The practice is based in Camden, London. Its UK schemes sit mostly in London, with others in Nottingham and Manchester, and it also works overseas, with projects in Amsterdam, Beirut, Singapore and Hong Kong, so the London team often works on international projects.

The practice describes partners with different strengths: Mary Bowman on joining landscape with architecture, Sibylla Hartel on planting in challenging climates, and Donncha O Shea on sustainable landscape development. A 2017 profile gave the staff number as 34, so it is a small studio where people work closely with partners. This is based on older information and the practice's own descriptions, not a recent check.

In a studio like this, the roles are landscape architects and assistants who design and draw, planting and technical specialists, and office staff who keep projects running. If you enjoy art, sculpture, biology, geography or architecture and like the idea of shaping a memorial, a square or a garden that thousands of people will use, this is a good example of that path. Check the practice's own website for current vacancies. Ask about the mix of design, drawing and technical work on a typical project.

What they do

• {'desc': 'Parks, gardens, squares and memorials with sculptural forms.', 'title': 'Landscape design'}
• {'desc': 'Choosing plants for difficult conditions and climates.', 'title': 'Planting design'}
• {'desc': 'Working with architects so buildings and outdoor space feel like one design.', 'title': 'Landscape with architecture'}

Key facts

• Opened in 1997 by Kathryn Gustafson and Neil Porter; Mary Bowman became a named partner in 2017
• Camden-based studio in London
• Designed the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park
• 34 staff in 2017 (dated)

Website: www.gpbltd.com