Jonathan ford landscape architect

My practice

Jonathan Ford, Leading Garden Designer in Oxfordshire

I am a Garden Designer and Landscape Architect with over 35 years’ experience. I provide my Clients with a competent, impartial and independent service. I have received the highest level of education in landscape architecture and am a Registered Member of the Society of Garden Designers – the only professional body for garden designers in the UK. I have worked with three past Presidents of The Landscape Institute. The interests of all I work with are important to me. I gain tremendous satisfaction from creating beautiful landscapes and observing them being enjoyed.

i aim for

Sustainability: I work with long lasting materials and natural processes so that a project improves as it ages and benefits not just our own but future generations. I seek to minimise water use and dependence on chemicals. I have driven and electric car since 2015. I seek to use local tradespeople and materials in order to reduce travel related greenhouse gases.
Cost efficiency: after detailed design and specification, projects are put out to tender with contractors with a proven track record. This ensures the required quality of work and materials is achieved at competitive prices. Smaller projects are negotiated with contractors with a track record for completing good work at a fair price ;
Sensitivity: to needs and aspirations, to local styles and materials, to scale and proportion, to aspect, to neighbours, to the environment and to budget.

Jonathan Ford Garden Designer and landscape architect Oxfordshire

i provide

An independent service: I have no personal financial interest in any in-house or other professional, tradesman, artist, craftsman, contractor or supplier.
A personal service: I am a sole trader. I will complete the design. I will delegate specialist elements of a design e.g. structural engineering, lighting, pool design however I remain a Client’s primary (usually only) contact throughout a project. I can meet in the evening or at weekends.
A local service: I work on projects within twenty five miles of my home on the eastern edge of the Cotswolds. My local knowledge enables me to work with the professionals, contractors, suppliers and artisans from this same area who have the skills, availability and price best suited to the project. Working locally has the additional benefit of reducing my carbon footprint.

garden designer

Previous experience

François Goffinet Ltd: (1993-97) I was the Landscape Project Manager for the £4 million works to Glympton Estate; managing engineers, architects, arboriculturalists, ecologists and fisheries experts.
Travers Morgan Consulting: (1989-93) Landscape Architect preparing planting plans and contract documentation and supervising multiple site-based projects – up to £1 million plus. These included Junctions 8 to 9 of the M40 where Jonathan was responsible for the planting of 400,000 native trees and shrubs.
N. Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council: (1986-89) Advice on planning applications and Tree Preservation Orders. Design and contract management of school and public open space landscapes.

My qualifications

Registered Member of the Society of Garden Designers

MA in Landscape Architecture; BSc in Landscape Design and Ecology. I have been professionally trained to the highest level in landscape and garden design.
Registered Member of the Society of Garden Designers - the only professional body for garden designers in the UK. My designs have been peer reviewed.
I was a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute for 20 years.

Who i am

I attended Marlborough College and Sheffield University before moving to Oxfordshire where I now live with my wife Amanda and children Toby and Grace.
I place importance on finding climate-friendly ways of living. My car is powered by electricity from a renewable source. I speak and write locally on our response to climate change. I achieved personal NetZero in 2020.
I am a committed Christian involved in the local church and community. I seek to apply my faith in all I do.

Endorsements