Abi Gant studied both BA Landscape Architecture and Design and MA Landscape Architecture, graduating from her master’s in 2013. She now runs her own landscape architecture practice. In this blog, she looks back on her positive Leeds Beckett experience, including a year out working in London in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics.

Courses: BA (Hons) Landscape Architecture and Design and MA Landscape Architecture

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you've been doing since you graduated? 

My Name is Abi Gant and I am a Landscape Architect. I grew up in the Brecon Beacons, and surrounded by awe inspiring landscapes, I was naturally led to Landscape Architecture. Growing up in a family of Landscape Architects and Architects, I was sold on the profession from an early age.

I graduated from BA Landscape Architecture and Design at Leeds Beckett in 2011 and went on to do a year working in a landscape practice in London, before returning to study the master’s course, graduating in 2013. 

Following my master’s, I returned to London and worked for a design-led studio on a range of different projects throughout London and the Middle East. I gained experience and worked towards my chartership which I gained in 2016. 

Following the Covid pandemic I relocated to Stroud, Gloucestershire in 2021 and set up my own practice, Lichen Studio. We design to inspire awe in every project. 

What have been the highlights and challenges of your career so far? 

I would say both the biggest highlight and challenge of my career so far has been setting up my own practice. Every day is a learning day. Whilst it is fantastic to have the freedom and opportunities to design and deliver my own projects, navigating the various challenges that running a business brings always presents new opportunities for personal and professional development.

Tell us about your experience of taking a year out whilst studying at Leeds Beckett?

I was fortunate enough to spend my year out working for a London practice during the 2012 Olympics. It was an invaluable experience that boosted my design skills and showed me a taste of landscape architecture in the real world.

I worked on a range of projects from small roof gardens to large urban masterplans throughout London and the Middle East. Although challenging, the experience taught me how to have confidence in my designs and gave me a true insight into the design stages and typical processes of real projects. 

This was a fantastic time to be working in London, in the run up to the 2012 Olympic games. The Stratford masterplan and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park showcased the transformative power of landscape architecture on an international stage. The success of the Olympic masterplan’s legacy helped to raise the profile of landscape architecture and it was great to be working in the city at this time. 

How has your course experience helped you in your career so far? 

The course at Leeds Beckett University gave me a solid foundation to launch myself into the world of landscape architecture. The course is vocational and covers all the key areas of the profession and encourages students to explore areas of interest to them. 

I was interested in water and how we as landscape architects could help to manage flooding through slowing down the flow, from rain drop to river. My master’s dissertation ‘SuDS Law’ explored the idea of creating opportunities to capture water during times of high rainfall upstream of major urban centres in amenity spaces such as skate parks or playing fields, enhancing biodiversity and providing additional amenity value. 

This has been fundamental in my career and all projects at Lichen Studio have sustainable drainage and water management at the core. 

What's next for you? 

I’m sure the next chapter will prove to be exciting. I will continue to nurture and develop Lichen Studio into a company that I can be really proud of. We work in both urban and rural settings on some really interesting projects which range from urban regeneration, farm diversification to mixed use residential. I am looking forward to progressing them through to completion. 

It is a really exciting time to be a Landscape Architect. We can make a big difference to the societal and environmental challenges the world is facing. Landscape Architects are uniquely placed and have key skills that will help to tackle the nature and climate crisis. Those skills started at Leeds Beckett University and I continue to develop them everyday through Lichen Studio.