Landscape Designer

Project |01 The Nest (award winning nationwide comission)

 

​A contextual look at the origins of Lichfield, reflected in a landscape piece which is designed not only for its concept and form but also for its improved biodiversity and community use. The nest structure is constructed from found local materials knitted together by hand, and planted with willow to create continuation and growth. Symbolic of safety the circle creates a sense of security synonymous with communities. The outer rings reinforce safety and represent the triple ditch system which originally ran along Watling street and makes  reference to the early Roman settlement  at Wall. Each ditch is planted with wild meadow seeds not only does this increase biodiversity and seasonal interest but also represents Lichfield which is a compound of the Celtic Luitcoit meaning ‘grey wood’ and Anglo Saxon feld, meaning ‘common pasture’, both of which reflect the character of the area at that time. Each entrance and exit is aligned with the polar points and makes reference to locality whilst creating a cross roads representative of the crossing of Ryknild and Watling Street. This meeting point makes an ideal community centre and resulted in the construction of a stage area. At the very centre is a stone tablet which references the polar points and  displays the title in the Ogham alphabet.