Tommaso del Buono MSGD and Dan Lobb MSGD have taken the two most prestigious awards at the Society of Garden Designers’ fifth annual awards ceremony, receiving the Grand Award and Judges' Awards respectively in front of an audience of almost 400 guests. The accolades were presented at a ceremony at The Landmark Hotel in London where 21 awards were announced including recognition for community garden projects, international schemes, excellence in public and commercial outdoor space and the SGD lifetime achievement award. There was also a special award for SGD Fellow John Brookes MBE FSGD
International Award
Sponsored by Landform Consultants
Winner: Tommaso del Buono MSGD
Project: Château in Provence
Contractor: Fredon Paysages
What the judges said: “Clearly presented, self confident piece of landscape architecture. Outstanding organisation of space that works well in the setting. Handled with great competence on all levels. Very useable garden on a human scale. Very accomplished. "
Public or Commercial Outdoor Space Award
Sponsored by CED Stone Group
Winner: Gavin McWilliam & Andrew Wilson FSGD
Project: Kents Hill Park
Contractor: Kings Landscapes
What the judges said: “A very well thought out design that works extremely well in its setting. Great selection of plants and complimentary materials. Good use of planting to create interesting levels and space around the building. A worthy winner."
Designing for Community Space Award
Sponsored by Bourne Amenity
Winner: Dan Lobb MSGD
Project: Breaker’s Yard
Contractor: Stewart Landscape Construction
What the judges said: “An intriguing space. Fantastic design that has been very well handled. Characterful touches that really engage the community"
Student Design Award - Commercial
Sponsored by British Sugar Topsoil
Winner: Richard Riddell
Project: The Royal William Yard Gardens
What the judges said: “A very balanced design which felt very responsive to it’s site. The designer has a clear understanding of how to organise space both contained and open. Excellent graphics which allowed for a very readable plan. A very competent and comprehensive presentation."
Student Design Award - Domestic
Sponsored by London Stone
Joint Winner: Victoria Chesterfield
Project: Woodcombe Crescent
What the judges said: “A strong, elegant design with a clear narrative that takes you on an interesting journey through the garden. A cohesive theme throughout with some exciting cantilever elements.”
Student Design Award - Domestic
Sponsored by London Stone
Joint Winner: Jane Finlay
Project: The Restorative Garden
What the judges said: “A good use of space and interpretation of the brief. The theming was bold, without feeling imposed. Strong graphics that enhanced the narrative, including some very useful sectional elevations”
Large Residential Garden Award
Sponsored by Gaze Burvill
Winner: Arabella Lennox-Boyd MSGD
Project: The Hermitage
What the judges said: “A garden that uses levels very successfully. A playful design with excellent planting. Sophisticated interpretation of the classic style with good treatment with views. Responds beautifully to the landscape. A very competent design."
Medium Residential Garden Award
Sponsored by Capital Garden Products
Winner: Andy Sturgeon FSGD
Project: Sussex House
What the judges said: “Beautiful swathes of Wild flowers. Uninhibited views of the landscape. Very impressive garden. Relates to the landscape. Answers the brief and has really engaged the clients. Imaginative planting palette and scale of planting used. Clever use of site line. Really good example of planting design and how it relates to the landscape."
Roof Garden Award
Sponsored by Gavin Jones Group
Winner: Gavin McWilliam & Andrew Wilson FSGD
Project: Notting Hill Terraces
What the judges said: “A garden that felt like an oasis ibn the city. Quiet and reserved but with characterful details. Give substance and a sense of place to a redundant plot. Very pleasing proportions that work well in the setting."
The Garden Jewel Award
Sponsored by Brett Paving
Winner: Andrew Wenham MSGD
Project: Tiny Chelsea Garden
What the judges said: “A tiny haven that feels both enclosed and expansive. Clever, cost-effective use of a very awkward space with simple, pleasing elements."
Small Residential Garden Award
Sponsored by StoneMarket
Winner: Andy Sturgeon FSGD
Project: Riverside Garden
Contractor: The Outdoor Room
What the judges said: “A very pleasing garden with lots of interesting details without feeling overworked. Clever use of space for a difficult plot. Has a wonderful Mediterranean feel."
Big Ideas, Small Budget Award
Sponsored by millboard
Winner: Joanne Willcocks
Project: Lakeside Garden
What the judges said: “A beautifully effortless garden designed to enhance a lovely view. A strong, simple and incredibly effective idea that contrasts with the neighbouring garden."
The Lifetime Achievement Award
Sponsored by Alitex
Awarded to: Christopher Bradley-Hole FSGD
Awarded by the Council of the Society of Garden Designers.
The SGD Council said: “Christopher Bradley-Hole FSGD has been at the cutting edge of the garden design industry since the mid 1990’s. His contemporary RHS Chelsea Gold Medal winning gardens of 1997, 2000 and 2001 lead the direction of garden design into a new era and inspired us all. His work has raised the profile of the garden design profession and the importance of garden design in the planning of new buildings and urban spaces. We are delighted to be able to honour him with this Award."
The Planting Design Award
Sponsored by Barcham
Winner: Arabella Lennox-Boyd MSGD
Project: The Hermitage
What the judges said: “The clever planting in this garden is both bold and romantic, with a colour palate that works with the stone of the house, and the rolling hills of Somerset. The strong rhythm and movement in the borders adds drama and excitement. The plants are used to create height, levels and screens, revealing and hiding the wonderful views."
Healing Or Learning Garden Award
Sponsored by Easigrass
Winner: Chris Parsons MSGD
Project: Ashgate Hospicecare Gardens
What the judges said: “A pleasing design that considers the purpose and longevity of the garden. A design that offers great value for money."
Paper Landscapes Award
Sponsored by Country Supplies
Winner: Dan Lobb MSGD
Project: Wishhanger
What the judges said: “A design that seamlessly blends the landscape with the architecture in a sensitive very beautiful way. An extremely accomplished piece of work that shows great sensitivity to the landscape."
Hardscape Award
Sponsored by Hardscape
Winner: Gavin McWilliam & Andrew Wilson FSGD
Project: Notting Hill Terraces
What the judges said: “Beautifully laid out and finished with excellent detailing. Materials blend and compliment each other very well and give the garden a comfortable feel in the wider surroundings."
Historic Garden Restoration Award
Sponsored by Crown Pavillions
Winner: Lulu Urquhart & Adam Hunt and the Walled Kitchen Garden Network
Project: The Walled Kitchen Garden Fulham Palace
What the judges said: “There is sense of wonder stepping into the walled garden of Fulham Palace now. It is a garden that has regained its purpose, with vegetables and fruit in abundance. Sensitive and intelligent choices have been made, both with the plants and the use of the space. The research and the careful attention to the past, whilst acknowledging the present use of the garden, has resulted in a thoughtful and exciting restoration.”
Future Designer Award
Sponsored by Deepdale
Winner: Daniel Shea
Project: Game Keeper’s Cottage, Hertfordshire
What the judges said: “"An exceptional design that met the client’s brief in a bold yet sympathetic way. The design of the garden helps unify the new build into the existing site and complements both the old and the new. The articulation of space is handled with great competence and the strong, yet soft architectural planting links everything together and softens any hard lines."
The Peoples Choice Award
Sponsored by Home & Gardens
Winner: Karena Batstone MSGD
Project: Clifton Courtyard Garden
The People’s Choice Award is run in conjunction with the SGD Awards media partner Homes & Gardens magazine. Clifton Courtyard Garden was designed by Karena Batstone MSGD and was voted favourite garden among 17 shortlisted gardens in a public vote by SGD members, Homes & Garden readers and the general public.
Special Award
Sponsored by David Harber
Awarded to: John Brookes MBE FSGD
Awarded by: The Council of the Society of Garden Designers
The SGD were delighted to award John Brookes MBE FSGD, one of the Society's most inspiration Fellows, a special Award at the SGD Awards Ceremony for his contribution to the industry.
The Judges Award
Sponsored by Harrod Horticultural
Winner: Dan Lobb MSGD
Project: Breaker’s Yard
What the judges said: “An intriguing space. Fantastic design that has been very well handled. Characterful touches that really engage the community.."
The Grand Award
Sponsored by Gabriel ash
Winner: Tommaso del Buono MSGD
Project: Château in Provence
What the judges said: “Clearly presented, self confident piece of landscape architecture. Outstanding organisation of space that works well in the setting. Handled with great competence on all levels. Very useable garden on a human scale. Very accomplished. "