Christopher Wright graduated from Leeds Beckett University in 2015, after completing his BA (Hons) Landscape Architecture and Design and PG Dip Landscape Architecture degrees. He now works in London as a Chartered Landscape Architect and talks us through his career in this blog. 

Courses: BA (Hons) Landscape Architecture and Design and PG Dip Landscape Architecture

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a Chartered Landscape Architect with over ten years of experience, specialising in a range of sectors including residential, commercial, education, and healthcare. Based in London, my career has been marked by a commitment to sustainable, people-focussed landscape design with a collaborative approach, combining technical skill with creative vision to shape urban and natural environments.

What have you been doing since graduating from Leeds Beckett?

Since graduating from Leeds Beckett, I've had various roles within the landscape architecture field. At present, I am a Senior Landscape Architect at Levitt Bernstein in North London. Previous roles have included working for an international multi-disciplinary engineering firm and several smaller landscape specific practices. 

My recent focus has been on creating new neighbourhoods and making improvements to existing developments throughout the UK, championing a narrative that intertwines social and environmental aspects of placemaking. This variety of experience has enhanced my technical and creative skills across all stages of a project, allowing me to contribute meaningfully to our built environment.

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

Achieving chartered status in 2017 stands out as a significant milestone, symbolising professional recognition and personal growth. Seeing my designs come to life and enrich public spaces has also been incredibly fulfilling and is ultimately the reason many of us chose this career path.

My work has also taken me abroad, including pioneering work in Oman with Arup, presenting both exciting opportunities and challenges in adapting to different cultural and environmental contexts.

Tell us about your experience of taking a year out between your undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Leeds Beckett?

My year out between undergraduate and postgraduate degrees was instrumental to my growth, providing real-world exposure to landscape architecture. This practical experience enriched my postgraduate studies, enhancing the quality of my work while also giving me the confidence to push the boundaries of my studies.

It was pivotal in preparing me for the professional world, ensuring I could make the most of my enhanced skills and experiences upon returning to Leeds Beckett and create a portfolio of work that would set me up for finding a job upon completing my studies.

How has your experience of studying Landscape Architecture at Leeds Beckett helped you in your career?

Leeds Beckett's emphasis on creative exploration and real-world project integration is a key aspect of the course that has helped to shape my career. It improved my ability to understand the unique character of each site and translate it into meaningful, creative designs.

The course also teaches many practical aspects, such as community engagement and site analysis. 

What's next for you?

I aim to deepen my expertise in sustainability and become an advocate for reducing embodied carbon within landscape architecture. Mentorship and providing support to junior colleagues will also be a focus, supporting new professionals along their pathway to chartership journey. Ultimately, I aspire to establish my own practice with an emphasis on creating biodiverse, low carbon urban landscapes.