About James

James is a Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winning Garden designer, Chartered Landscape Architect, and Registered Member of the Society of Garden Designers.

Based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire he developed and honed his skills for 16 years at the well respected design and build landscape company Bowles & Wyer, and became Design Director in 2017 overseeing the design team and numerous successful and award winning projects.  

Graduating from the University of Gloucestershire with a First degree honors in 2004, James subsequently undertook a postgraduate diploma year whilst working part time in landscape construction and maintenance.  He joined Bowles & Wyer the same year and in 2011 successfully passed his exams to become a Chartered Landscape Architect with the Landscape Institute.  In 2018 James became a full member of the Society of Garden Designers after successfully passing the strict adjudication process.

Keen to challenge himself further, James set up James Smith Landscape & Garden Design in 2021.  A key driver in this move was James’ desire to remain fully connected with the design process and harness strong relationships with his clients.  

James has a particular flair for high quality private garden design and residential developments, with significant experience working alongside clients and multi-disciplinary teams.  

James loves collaborating with his clients, focussing on imaginative design solutions, whilst also keeping a keen eye on the details. Dealing with an array of clients, consultants, and contractors, has helped develop a rounded knowledge about how to deliver exceptional design that is both highly creative and realistic.

James’s core area of work is within Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, and London but does take on work further afield and abroad for special projects.

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