Practice

Marcus Barnett Studio has developed an international reputation for creating gardens and landscapes that combine strong architectural form and naturalistic planting. Established by Marcus in 2004 MBS has won Best in Category and three Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals. In 2018 we purchased, designed and developed a bespoke design studio based in west London in conjunction with a rural satellite studio in Overton, Hampshire.

We seek to remain a close-knit studio of ten to twelve landscape architects and designers providing a pool of multicultural talent. MBS’s design narrative, flare and culture is very much underpinned by Marcus, who is closely involved with each project. We work in Britain and overseas on increasingly varied projects including London townhouse gardens and prestigious hotels, large private gardens and estates, villas, vineyards, resorts and masterplanning.

Philosophy

The landscapes we create are refined habitats, deceptive in their simplicity and richness in their sense of place. Our designs thrive on the importance of establishing a borderless interplay between the interior and exterior, property, garden and landscape. Central to the core narrative is the examination of contrasting themes like: strength and softness, natural intervention and geometric plan, romance and practical necessity.

We use a restrained palette of elements, frequently drawn from local materials, traditions and plant communities so that our work closely echoes the natural environment. We endeavour to harness the infinite capabilities of the plant kingdom with the ultimate aim of creating ‘ordered disorder’.

Our clients’ aspiration is our primary focus and we place great emphasis on meticulous planning and project delivery, collaboration and partnership. The result is a garden with an enriching sense of place and an environment of wild imagination.