ABOUT
J&L Gibbons is an established and visionary Landscape Architecture studio based in London. The practice began in 1986 and is renowned for its innovative and holistic design process combining research and an open-minded approach to design. J&L Gibbons has the experience and skill to envisage and communicate the dynamic and specific beauty of each landscape over the long-term. The practice is driven by a desire to safeguard the deep ecologies that shape the character of a place. It is dedicated to key practice priorities of design quality, integrated green infrastructure, promoting natural heritage (especially veteran trees), landscape stewardship and community empowerment through sharing knowledge and experience in the landscape. This is reflected in the studio’s portfolio which is characterised by a scrupulous understanding of both natural processes and community networks.
Our research activities are fundamental to our design practice. Particular strands include anthropogenic soils, sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), urban forestry and wellbeing. This is realised through projects in landscape restoration, habitat creation and design with nature, particularly in the urban environment. Publications such as the recent ‘Conversations on Urban Forestry’ aim to elucidate the fertile ground of our cross disciplinary practice. We are a core research partner of Urban Mind with Kings College London and art collective Nomad Projects concerning how city living is affecting well-being. In 2016 we established a unique and innovative Social Enterprise, Landscape Learn, using the seasonality of nature to structure an alternative approach to immersive learning processes. We are dedicated to collaborative practice and upholding the origins of the profession which cross the arts, sciences and humanities.
As a founding signatory of UK Landscape Architects Declare Climate & Biodiversity Emergency, J&L Gibbons is serious about its environmental and social responsibilities. Creative Partners Jo and Neil regularly lecture internationally. They champion landscape architecture, with urgency, as a critical discipline in shaping a more resilient, healthy and uplifting vision for the future.
TEAM
Johanna Gibbons RDI
BA (Hons) FLI FRSA
Founding Partner
Johanna is Founding Partner of J&L Gibbons and Founding Director of social enterprise Landscape Learn. Jo is a Royal Designer for Industry awarded for her ‘pioneering and influential work combining design with activism, education and professional practice’.
Jo is a Fellow of the Landscape Institute and Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts. She is a Commissioner on the Jersey Architectural Commission, Research Partner of Urban Mind and panel advisor to Historic England. She has an international profile as a member of the International Scientific Committee for the World Forum on Urban Forests, both as juror and speaker.
She is respected for routinely and seamlessly incorporating ecology, organismal biology, urban planning, conservation, community organising, the arts, and pedagogy, with a keen awareness of global trends such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and social need. Her many award-winning, collaborative and innovative designs and engagement strategies mostly within the public realm are cross sector, from urban regeneration and estate planning to cemeteries, cathedrals and museums, span over four decades of practice.
Neil Davidson
MA (Hons) FLI FRSA
Partner
Neil is a Partner at J & L Gibbons, having joined in 1999. He is a Director of the social enterprise Landscape Learn and a Research Partner of Urban Mind. Neil trained in Landscape Architecture at Edinburgh College of Art. His expertise includes sub-regional strategic plans, public realm frameworks, heritage and cultural landscapes and public parks. He is currently partner in charge of the Urban Nature Project at the Natural History Museum, the Nature + Love project for the Horniman Museum and Gardens and Boston Spa Renewed for the British Library.
Neil is a Fellow of the Landscape Institute. He is a member of several design review panels and is a member of the International Scientific Committee, ‘Masters of Landscape’, located in Rome.
Neil has lectured and worked in Europe and the US and maintains strong links with education. He lectures on the MA Landscape Architecture course at the University College London, Bartlett School of Architecture.
Flea Keeble
BSc (Hons)
Partner
Flea, Studio Manager at J&L Gibbons from 2004, became a Partner in 2008. Since joining she has gained a Foundation Degree with Distinction (2007) and a BSc First Class Honours degree in Understanding London at Birkbeck College University of London (2009). Flea previously worked at Andrew Wright Associates, with Mel Calman (Cartoon Arts Trust), Maurice Hatton (Mithras Films) and Literary Agents Goodwin Associates.
Victoria Sutherland
MA (Hons) CMLI
Senior Associate
Victoria graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2011 and joined J&L Gibbons in 2012, becoming an Associate in 2019. She is currently project Landscape Architect working on the Natural History Museum Urban Nature Project and the National Lottery Heritage Funded Marble Hill Revived project for English Heritage in Twickenham. She has gained experience working on a variety of large and small scale projects, including Stirling Prize shortlisted Bushey New Cemetery.
Peter Kennedy
MSc (Hons) CMLI
Senior Associate
Peter is a chartered Landscape Architect, who began working at J&L Gibbons in 2016. Peter was awarded the Scottish Landscape Institute and subsequently the UK Landscape Institute Student Portfolio prizes in 2016. In 2017 Peter was awarded the Best European Masters’ Portfolio by the European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools. He has worked on a range of projects including the Munch Museum Island, Oslo and St Albans Cathedral.
Alex Lowenhoff
MA (Hons) CMLI
Landscape Architect
Alex graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2020 with a distinction grade in Landscape Architecture. Whilst studying Alex won a design excellence award from the Landscape Institute for his project ‘Living Hygge’. In 2022 Alex became part of the Prolandscaper’s ‘30 under 30’ alumni for his work in promoting circularity in construction. Since joining J&L Gibbons in 2023 Alex has worked on the Horniman Museum Nature + Love project, the LSE Firoz Lalji Global Hub project and the Paddington Street Gardens project.
Emily Bowerman
BLA MSc (Planning) CSLA OALA
Landscape Architect
Emily is a registered Landscape Architect in Canada who holds professional degrees in Landscape Architecture (BLA) and Planning (MSc) from the University of Guelph. She joined J&L Gibbons in 2024, and alongside practice, is completing a MArch in Landscape Urbanism at the AA School of Architecture. She is currently engaged on the Firoz Lalji Global Hub at the London School of Economics, St Marylebone Parish Church Gardens and the Wellcome Trust extreme heat and mental wellbeing research that the practice is carrying out in collaboration with Kings College London amongst others.
Lanxin Zhong
MSc MILI
Landscape Architect
Lanxin graduated in Landscape Architecture and Landscape Heritage from Politecnico di Milano in 2021. During her studies, she was awarded the 2020 Student Award by the American Society of Landscape Architects. Lanxin previously worked in Ireland where she qualified as a corporate member of the Irish Landscape Institute. Since joining J&L Gibbons in 2024, she has been working on a range of projects including, a new Maggie’s Centre in Kent, a feasibility for the rejuvenation of Paddington Street Gardens in London and the strategic planning for wilding an estate in the High Weald.
LANDSCAPE LEARN
Landscape Learn is a J&L Gibbons social enterprise, which uses the seasonality of nature to structure an alternative approach to learning. It is open to students, professionals and communities, and is hosted by a network of landscape experts providing a process driven and collaborative educational environment.
landscapelearn.com
9 DAY FORTNIGHT
9 DAY FORTNIGHT
As part of an initiative to support a better work/life balance and provide greater flexibility to our team, we are implementing a 9-day fortnight working pattern.
So that our clients and collaborators are fully informed the following upcoming Fridays will be designated ‘free-days’:
So that our clients and collaborators are fully informed the following upcoming Fridays will be designated ‘free-days’:
January: 12th, 26th
February: 9th, 23rd
March: 8th, 22nd
April: 19th
May: 3rd, 17th
June: 14th, 28th
July: 12th, 26th
August: 9th, 23rd
September: 6th, 20th
October: 4th, 18th
November: 1st, 15th, 29th
December: 13th
March: 8th, 22nd
April: 19th
May: 3rd, 17th
June: 14th, 28th
July: 12th, 26th
August: 9th, 23rd
September: 6th, 20th
October: 4th, 18th
November: 1st, 15th, 29th
December: 13th
CREDITS
Portrait photography Sarah Blee
CREDITS
Landscape Learn photo Marta Buoro
Website design & build Eve Izaak