Matthew Haddon , the founder of Haddon Studio , stand up out in the garden purpose world for his committedness to make sustainable , ecologically - minded gardens .
ground in Yorkshire , his studio apartment is renowned for blending contemporary and classical design element to craft spaces where people and wildlife coexist harmoniously .
Matthew ’s workplace emphasises biodiversity , sustainability and refined simplicity .
In this interview he shares how RHS Flower Shows changed the trajectory of his career and some of the most worthful lessons his career in horticulture has teach him .
Can you share with us your journey in landscape design and what inspired you to start Haddon Studio?
“ I mature up surrounded by bully gardeners , particularly my pappa and his parent , who plant their local gardening club in Leicestershire , which is still organised by my Dad ’s twin comrade , ” get down Matt .
“ Despite withstand the call of the soil for a expert few years , a period of time as a Tree Surgeon and a series of professional courses led to a career variety , and was the secondly - effective decision I ever made ( after proposing to my wife ) .
“ I started working as a Garden Designer way back in 2010 and set up my own business concern : Matt Haddon Gardens . This was always a design studio , but for a while we undertook design and build as well – until a sneak disc and resultant OR put paid to any manual labour !
“ In 2022 , after much thought , we rebranded to Haddon Studio . We had always believe in the importance of create garden for both hoi polloi and nature and with Haddon Studio we made this an of the essence part of the society ethos – with the importance of biodiversity and increasing its mien at the core of our principles .
“ We also want to show that we were bigger than just one soul as although I stay to the full tangled with every intent we do – from the concept to the all right detailing – our employment is more than just that of one individual . ”
Haddon Studio is known for creating sustainable, ecologically-considered gardens. Can you elaborate on why biodiversity and sustainability are central to your design philosophy?
“ When it come to being human , especially in the Western World , the number of living challenge how we can be sustainable – all life on the major planet consumes resource but we run to over - consume individually in a world of increase population ontogenesis .
“ A sustainable approach to this issue is not always to get into a pilus - shirt and crawfish out human intervention , but it is instead about moot all of the choices we make , to balance these against the cost to the surroundings , and then to make places where people and wildlife can co - be .
“ to achieve biodiversity increases , garden are a life-sustaining resourcefulness . For this reason [ any garden must be ] build to last – and that it is not part of the throw - away culture of fast fashions . This assure that the input cost where choices are made that are perhaps less sustainable than others can be offset against the longevity of the garden .
“ intent that are contemporaneous but have a timelessness about them are those that last and those are the gardens that will be the most sustainable and the good habitat for wildlife over the long full term .
“ We create biodiverse and sustainable garden because of the Brobdingnagian joy being close to nature supply for people – and that is both for our client , whose lives are enhanced and improved , but also , egotistically – because creating quad for nature , grow habitats and embedding that biodiversity give us tremendous delight as well ! ”
Winning awards at events like the Harrogate Flower Show and RHS Tatton Park must have been significant milestones. Can you talk about these experiences and how they have impacted your career?
“ The RHS holds a inner spot in the eyes of the general world and , thanks to annual coverage of Chelsea Flower Show on the BBC , the impression of Garden Designers and show gardens is much expected , ” apportion Matt .
“ deliver the goods awards at garden shows , whether they are national or local , is therefore a ritual of handing over for draw a bead on designers – especially when they are new to their life history . Of course the ability to produce a show garden demonstrates great accomplishment , but is not always directly applicable to create great gardens for client .
“ The experience of creating a show garden is unlike any other though and that is why so many interior decorator go back class after year . I remember show garden avail a designer construct confidence in their power and that is where they have a plus calling impact .
“ However , although we have not design a garden for a few years , I had the honour earlier this year of judging the show gardens at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show . This was a great experience and really did show the breadth of talent topically when it come to designers and their science .
“ I wish to remember that we are giving a little back to the next age bracket of designers , helping them to develop and hone their skills to create awesome gardens for their future clients . ”
What are some common challenges clients come to you with, and how does Haddon Studio help in solving these issues?
“ Each garden has its own unique challenge which stanch from a client ’s taste perception and budget combined with their garden land site , as well as the opportunity it presents and the limitations it may have , ” he explains .
“ Experience helps enormously to overcome yield which arise but the most common challenge tend to be those to do with people and with the site itself .
“ When it comes to multitude , the ability to act as an impartial mediator when duo have different expectations for their garden is all important – find a mutually acceptable common flat coat without ignoring the wishes of either political party signify that everyone can fall in love with the final purpose .
“ With regards to the garden themselves , just recently our expectant challenge has been findingsolutions for splatter gardens . Sloping garden can be costly though , so call for careful purpose , as retaining the soil usually involves building walls and this is not a cheap option – especially when client would rather be expend money on plants ! ”
Where do you draw inspiration from when starting a new garden or landscape design project?
“ I have record a lot of books and watch lots of mass speak about creativity and I have to be honest , this is still a really difficult question to serve , ” he pronounce .
“ The best way for inspiration to walk out is when you are in reality in the garden sketching and guarantee the site analysis . Being inspired by what is present , the landscape and the architecture of the plate can be really herculean .
“ I think this is a distillation of years of experience and serendipity on the site which come together when require .
“ Of course , sometimes inhalation can take longer to strike . In this case , photos , maps , sketches and plans are gathered and I will spend hr looking for breathing in and doodling over the top of study plan .
“ The hour spent are vital ( both if inspiration is not outgoing or if a design idea is being train ) but ironically , the flash of inhalation rarely happen during those time of day spent at the desk .
“ It invariably fall later that day whilst I ’m walk the hotdog through the woods – so when working on a new project , I essay to remember to take a pad and pencil with me wherever I go ! ”
What are the most valuable lessons you’ve learned in garden and landscape design?
“ I imagine that good aim sets the stage for the whole garden to shine . Whenever I go to visit a garden being build , everything needs to work before the plants and turf are installed because if that is the case then it can only get better .
“ likewise , planting is the vital ingredient to a successful garden excogitation as it can take a ripe garden and make it bang-up . evenly , it can be used to big essence in any garden by hiding what needs to be hidden and soak up the eye to where you want to look .
“ From a pragmatic linear perspective though , it will almost always cost more than people guess to create an astonishing garden – from calibre materials that will last , to the cost of the works themselves if you are not dissever and sow in from seed , to the professional landscape architect who install it and should be paid a fair wage .
“ That does not think of you have to spend a portion to create an awe-inspiring garden , but it does mean that you need to be clear about what you need and how you may achieve it , and that is where a Garden Designer can impart value . ”
Can you share any upcoming projects or initiatives at Haddon Studio that we should look out for?
“ We are always learning and development , which is one of the great things about Garden Design , ” say Matt .
“ One go-ahead that is under its final development stage is a formalization of our gold standard biodiversity design process , especially reckon at ways to demonstrate clearly what we want to achieve , how we specify to reach it and then measuring a gain in biodiversity to show what we are doing is working .
“ I have also been working with passive acoustical monitoring technique , using a vertical flute installed in the garden at interval throughout the design process and beyond and using shuttle song as a manner of demonstrating this . orbit test are ongoing but we hope to get it rolling out very shortly .
“ On the garden front , we have mint to keep us busy over the winter with another interesting sloping garden , but we will preserve to seek out exciting projects that allow us to fork up great purpose ; to showcase our creativity alongside increase biodiversity at the same time . ”
