Matthew Childs Design

About

Matthew Childs Design is an award-winning garden design studio having designed a diverse range of exciting landscapes both in the UK and internationally.

Our studio believes in the power of gardens to have huge benefits for mental and physical wellbeing and the starting point for all of our projects is the ethos that ‘Gardens are for people’ coined by landscape architect Thomas Church.

Our designs are tailored to each client, producing very human outdoor spaces which have a strong narrative, are a reflection of the people who use them and the surroundings in which they sit.

With the needs, aspirations, and enjoyment of people at the heart of our landscape designs we have seen first-hand how people then protect, nurture and maintain that landscape. The result is not only happy people, but a positive outcome for the environment too.

Gardens and public landscapes have an important role to play in tackling climate change and the studio is always excited about the potential our projects have to lead to positive change. We seek out as many opportunities to enhance biodiversity and create habitats for wildlife reconnecting people with nature.

Our
Team

Getting the best possible results relies on working with the right team and our studio is proud to pull together a network of some of the best independent creative talent in the industry. Our freelance structure means our clients get the right team for the job every time.

- Matthew Childs MSGD
  Principal Garden Designer
  Matthew has always loved plants and gardens and decided to make this his career in 2007. He attained a professional diploma in garden design from KLC School of Design in London and the RHS level 2 Certificates in Horticulture with commendations. In 2012 Matthew achieved a gold medal award for his first RHS show garden ‘Light at the end of the tunnel’ and it has defined his approach to design ever since. The garden had a powerful narrative and atmosphere which touched emotions and Matthew strives to do this in all of his work. This garden was followed by three gold and ‘best in show’ gardens at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and a silver gilt medal at RHS Chelsea.
  Matthew lectures at design colleges, events and conferences both at home and abroad. He also writes for garden publications and has taken part in a number of broadcasting opportunities. Matthew is currently training to become an RHS shows judge and is a Member of The Society of Garden Designers.
- Clare Shaw
  Garden Designer
  Claire initially trained as a lawyer and had a successful career in the UK and Australia. She has always had a passion for landscape and plants and so retrained as a garden designer at KLC School of Design in London. She has a keen eye for detail and takes great care to fully understand what our clients need from their outdoor space. She relishes being involved collaboratively to create harmonious spaces which evolve through the seasons and respond to both the history of the site and the wider landscape.
  Clare attained a distinction from KLC school of Design and completed the RHS Level 2 diploma in Horticulture.
- Tim Miller
  Garden Designer
  Following a career in finance in the City Tim wanted to take a more creative path, being a lover of nature, art and design he undertook a Garden Design Diploma Course at KLC. Following the course, he worked for London Stone gaining an in-depth of knowledge in hard landscaping materials at the same time honing his CAD skills particularly within the 3D realm. He subsequently worked with a number of leading garden design studios and has become an intrinsic member of our design team.
- Hannah Oakden MLI
  Consultant Landscape Architect
  Hannah is a landscape architect and garden designer and member of the Landscape Institute. She has a background in applied arts and horticulture. Hannah’s work is context-sensitive yet strong in character with a strong focus on plants and planting. Her portfolio includes commercial urban residential regeneration and redevelopment as well as large scale rural domestic residential projects in designated areas (SSSI, AONB). She has experience across the work stages, from concept to detailed design, and enjoys working in multi-disciplinary teams to realise confident and thoughtful designs.
- Jeremy Hemingray CMLI
  Consultant Landscape Architect
  Jeremy is a landscape architect and a chartered member of the Landscape Institute. His experience includes large-scale urban redevelopment & renewal, suburban & rural residential development, playable landscapes, landscapes for older people, park regeneration and design within conservation areas. He excels in the context of large multi-disciplinary teams and highly complex projects but is equally at home on smaller-scale projects and in the residential domestic context.

Awards
- 2022
  Winner of the 'Judge's award'
  Society of Garden Designers Awards
- 2022
  Winner of medium residential Landscapes and Gardens award
  Society of Garden Designers Awards
- 2022
  Gold medal, best in show, best construction
  RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower show
- 2019
  Gold medal, best in show
  RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower show
- 2018
  Gold medal, best in show, best construction
  RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower show
- 2016
  Grand Prix award
  Moscow Festival of Gardens and People
- 2014
  Silver-gilt medal, Main avenue
  RHS Chelsea Flower Show
- 2013
  Gold medal, best in show
  RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower show
- 2012
  Gold medal and best conceptual garden
  RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower show

OurTeam

Awards

Our
Team