Gustafson Porter

Gustafson Porter is an International Landscape Design practice based in London. The practice operates across the diverse disciplines of landscape, architecture, engineering and design. The work expresses the tension and balance between opposing forces in the built and the natural world with bold contemporary designs. We are inspired by the complexity of the human condition and the desire for stability as well as change in the modern world. Our approach is simultaneously rational and emotional, disciplined but loose, structured yet ever changing.

Gustafson Porter Ltd was founded by Kathryn Gustafson and Neil Porter in 1997, with Mary Bowman joining the partnership in 2002. The practice has projects in the UK, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Completed projects include the Westergasfabriek Culture Park in Amsterdam, the interior landscape of the Great Glass House at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, two courtyards for the Government Offices, the Swiss Cottage Open Space and the Diana and Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in London. The recently completed Old Market Square in Nottingham is the UK’s second largest public square after Trafalgar Square and has received numerous awards for the design quality within the public realm. These projects established a solid reputation for designing and executing high quality contemporary landscapes within often complex historical contexts.

Gustafson Porter is currently working on landscapes for the cities of Singapore, Jeddah, Beirut and Abu Dhabi, all with varying needs and contexts that require innovative and unique solutions. The practice has extended our experience in larger scale master planning including the integration of landscape and built form in projects such as the 33 hectare Bay East Gardens in Singapore for the National Parks Board and a new Desert Park and Archaeological Park in Abu Dhabi for the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.

In 2000 Kathryn Gustafson, with partners Jennifer Guthrie, and Shannon Nichol, established the practice Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Ltd in Seattle, with current projects predominantly located within the US and Asia.

Gustafson Porter
2006 Landscape Architect/Designer of the Year, Horticulture Week Awards

Towards Paradise
2009 International Architecture Award, Chicago Athenaeum

Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, London
2008 Highly Commended, AIA/UK Chapter Excellence in Design Awards
2007 International Architecture Awards, The Chicago Athenaeum
2006 Natural Stone Award, Stone Federation
2005 Shortlist for Design Week Awards

Old Market Square, Nottingham
2008 Winner, Natural Stone Awards
2008 Highly Commended, Civil Building of the Year - SCALA
2008 RIBA CABE Award
2008 Commendation for Regeneration, RICS East Midland Awards
2008 East Midlands Merit Awards, Institution of Civil Engineers
2008 Outstanding Contribution to the Public Realm, CentreVision Award, and Charcon Hard Landscaping Award, Civic Trust Awards
2007 Best Public Realm & Open Space Award and Overall Winner, Lord Mayor’s Awards
2007 Highly Commended, Urban Design Category, Landscape Institute Awards
2007 Commendation for Water Feature, Nottingham Civic Society
2007 Design Excellence Award, East Midlands Property Awards

Swiss Cottage Park, London
2005 Commended Built Project, Royal Institute of British Architects Urban Space By Design Awards

Hadiqat as Samah “Gardens of Forgiveness, Beirut, Lebanon
2005 Commended Urban Project Unbuilt, Royal Institute of British Architects Urban Space By Design Awards

Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2009 Green Good Design
2007 Landscape Institute Awards Winner - Design over 5ha
2007 International Urban Landscape Award, Topos – among the 5 shortlisted
2006 Finalist, European Prize for Urban Public Space
2005 2nd Place Winner Built Project, Royal Institute of British Architects Urban Space By Design Awards
2004 Golden Pyramid, Netherlands National Architectural Award

The Great Glass House, National Botanic Garden of Wales
2001 Silver Award for Outstanding Environmental Design, Design and Art Direction Awards
2000 - 01 Concrete Society Award
2000 Natural Stone Awards, Stone Federation Great Britain
2000 Building Efficiency Award, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

Kathryn Gustafson
2009 Sckell Ring Award, Bayern Akademie der Kunst
2008 Design Medal, American Society of Landscape Architects
2008 Club Laureate, Rainier Club, Seattle, WA
2001 Chrysler Design Award, Chrysler Design Institute
2001 Honorary Royal Designer for Industry, Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, & Commerce
1999 Honorary Fellow, Royal Institute of British Architecture
1998 Jane Drew Prize
1993 Architectural Medal, L’Academie D’Architecture, Paris

Supporting the three directors are two Associate Directors: landscape architect Sibylla Hartel and the architect Jose Rosa.
Gustafson Porter currently employs 21 landscape architects and architects, and 4 administrators. Each project currently being carried out by the practice has a landscape architect or architect assigned as project leader who coordinates the rest of the design team.