During Andrew's 20+ years in the profession, his attraction to a more naturalistic style of Garden & Landscape architecture has grown steadily and is still evolving.
Going wilder is a theme Andrew is more and more interested in.
Going wilder or re-wilding tackles several challenges we face in these urgent times of climate change. Think carbon capture and biodiversity support. At the same time, it can enrich our experience of the natural world directly around us and re-establish our relationship with nature.
What started as a fascination for the romantic narrative of lush, local-based flora in contrast with modernistic architecture has developed into an ever-growing awareness of our interconnectedness with the natural world.
Moving forward, understanding the underlying landscape and setting the stage for nature to take over...
Andrew works in Canada and The Netherlands, where he is well known for his subtle and minimalistic landscape design approach.
Andrew is always searching for new conceptual approaches in landscape architecture and unconventional solutions.
With his experience and his award-winning approach, he works to strengthen the sense of place by connecting with the underlying landscape. Andrew believes every place tells the story of the landscape to which it belongs. There is always a conscious or subconscious connection to the landscape, and a good landscape design response to that.
Andrew’s landscape architecture explores the contrast between the natural landscape and architecture, striving for a balance between the spontaneous expression of nature and minimalist architectural interventions. His intention is to allow the natural, intuitive beauty of the landscape to express itself and to enhance the connection with its surroundings by framing nature in a humble and minimalistic way.
Inquiries about Andrew's design philosophy and approach to your property or development can be made by contacting him.
Andrew works in both Canada and the Netherlands.
His studio in Canada is located on Saturna Island, a Southern Gulf Island between Vancouver and Victoria.
His focus is local, regional, provincial and international.
For general inquiries, collaboration, and information, please get in touch with him at:
META:
landscape architecture
garden architecture
landscape architect
garden architect
landscape design
garden design
architecture
architectural design
architectural garden
architectural landscape
nature included
biodiversity
biophilia
carbon capture
rewilding
wilder
wild garden
grasses
ecosystem
perennials
minimal design
minimal architecture
minimalism
cosmopolitan
international design
tuinarchitectuur
landschapsarchitectuur
geo scaping
Westcoast Modern
Westcoast
West Coast
Modernism
Wellness garden
Wellness
luxury garden design
out-of-the-box design
unconventional design
exclusive
exclusive design
conceptual design
conceptual architecture
luxury architecture
excellent architecture
calm
calming
Sophisticated
Vancouver
Victoria
Lower Mainland
Canada
British Columbia
Saturna Island
Gulf Islands
Abbotsford
Surrey
South Surrey
Whiterock
Main Island
Saltspring Island
Galiano Island
Wistler
Vancouver Island
West Vancouver
Nederland
Amsterdam
Den Haag
Leiden
't Gooi
Laren
Blaricum
gouden driehoek
Rammed Earth
Resilient
Corten Steel
Raw
Recycled Reclaimed
Industrial
Clay
Local
Resilient
Permeable
Gravel
Immersive garden
Immersive landscape
Sensory garden
Sensory landscape
native plants and drought-tolerant species
At every level of society, one cannot help but observe that we are poised for a green revolution. This edition of Bouwspecial serves as a prime example of this shift. The growing awareness that green spaces in our living environments are vital for biodiversity, climate adaptation, CO2 sequestration, and our overall well-being is becoming increasingly prevalent. However, the precise methods to achieve this remain a quest across various disciplines.
In our contemporary society, we tend to structure our daily lives with protocols and systems, often exerting control over nearly every aspect. Regrettably, this tendency has spilled over into our relationship with the natural world and our ecosystem. While I am generalizing to some extent, we seem to have lost touch with the capacity to embrace spontaneity in nature, which often leads to wonder and awe. The unforeseen is sometimes viewed as a threat, something beyond our control. Yes, perhaps in a nearby nature reserve, but not in our immediate surroundings. This urge to cultivate runs deep and maybe a legacy of our historical, agriculture-based society. However, we are now being starkly reminded of how our human connection to the natural world carries consequences.
The aforementioned insight is a personal, intuitive awareness that has steadily grown over the past 15 years, gaining even more prominence since my relocation to Canada. Approximately six years ago, I immigrated to British Columbia, a Canadian province where the effects of colonization are vigorously debated. These consequences are palpable across society, particularly in their impact on the indigenous peoples of Canada. What is remarkable and promising is the growing self-reflection accompanying these discussions. This introspection has led to an openness to learn from the millennia-old culture of the "First Nations" and their harmonious interaction with the landscape, resulting in mutual benefits. The land provided spirituality, sustenance, medicine, and other resources, while human interventions, carried out on a small scale, fostered a biodiverse and resilient landscape resistant to disease, drought, and large-scale forest fires. I understand that this is a somewhat
romanticized view and cannot be directly applied to our modern society and urban environments. Nevertheless, we can draw valuable lessons and inspiration from it. For me, this entails embracing the idea of rewilding with the goal of promoting biodiversity and resilience. Most importantly, it underscores that we are not separate from the natural system but rather an integral part of it. It teaches us that our interventions can strengthen the natural system, and in this endeavour, we can leverage the latest techniques and digital tools, as well as the latest developments in architecture and engineering.
The translation of these abstract and, at times, poetic notions into concrete actions is a captivating journey. As a Garden/Landscape Designer, I increasingly contemplate the extent to which we should design plantings. Should we truly design them, or should we create conditions in which nature can thrive autonomously? Should we relinquish control and observe how nature unfolds, intervening only when necessary to achieve a mature and evolving landscape with a profound openness to spontaneity in nature? Let me be clear; even though I have a certain inclination, I do not have a definitive answer. The complexity with which planting is currently designed is admirable and yields beautiful results. What I am certain of is that there are no one-size- fits-all solutions; it is an ongoing exploration, and as professionals, we are in a period of transition and all part of a steep learning curve.
This shift calls for a more holistic approach. Consequently, our profession is no longer solely about hardscaping and greenery; it increasingly revolves around living systems and comprehending these systems to engage with them in a symbiotic manner. We must grant the ecosystem and nature ample room rather than merely filling urban and rural spaces with token greenery. While it might sound like preaching to the choir, I firmly believe that new developments should commence with landscape architecture, particularly at a large scale where nature is the unifying element.
Fortunately, we observe a growing trend toward nature inclusivity. What is particularly intriguing is that Europe, and the Netherlands in particular, are leading the way in this regard. I draw immense inspiration and enthusiasm from working on projects in the Netherlands and staying informed about the latest insights and advancements in landscape architecture, architecture, and urban planning. In many instances, Europe sets an example for the rest of the world.