Landscape and Urban Design Issue 45 2020 | Page 40

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
REFLECTIONS ON OUR
WORLD DURING COVID
BY SIMON RICHARDS, FOUNDER OF
LAND STUDIO
The Coronavirus pandemic has not
only changed the world for ever,
it will have a lasting impact on the
future of landscape architecture.
Since we established our practice
four years ago we have seen big
changes in how people want to
design, create and manage the
landscapes they live and work
in. Covid-19 has accelerated this
growing demand for inspirational
landscapes and the outdoors.
Covid-19 has had a significant
impact on leisure sector over the
past few months but before the
pandemic, perhaps as a result of
Brexit, it was a sector that was
evolving.
The British staycation boom was
taking off and it is not surprising
that over half of tourism businesses
were reporting an increase in people
wanting to holiday in the UK.
Fast forward to today and now that
many people are reluctant to fly or
travel overseas we expect there will
be an even bigger boom in people
wanting to holiday at home.
What is interesting is the experience
that people want to get from their
holiday. Gone are the days of people
settling for poor quality food and
accommodation.
They want spacious holiday parks
with fire pits, glamping sites with
private hot-tubs and great places to
eat out with stunning views.
We love a challenge. As a specialist
landscape architecture practice, we
work with our clients to help them
realise the full potential of their
land and its surroundings – whether
they are a holiday park, a glamping
site or a rural estate.
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