About
Matthew Halsall Design Studio Ltd is a London - based Landscape Architecture and Urbanism practice helmed by Chartered Landscape Architect Matthew Halsall. The practice was born in 2018 after a high-profile shortlisting of the Chalk Walk project for Ebbsfleet Garden City.
We undetake projects at a range of scales, sectors, stages types and budgets. Current projects include a school masterplan in Brighton, vertical greening of a building in Cardiff, Playgrounds in North London and the midlands, a number of community growing projects in Ebbsfleet Garden City and a woodland housing scheme in Essex.
Matthew Halsall
Matthew Halsall is a Chartered Landscape Architect with a wealth of experience having worked at private practices for over 12 years including Turkington Martin, Levitt Bernstein, Form Associates and West 8. He is the Director of MHDS and also retains a parallel role overseeing the delivery of a new garden at the Royal Parks commemorating Queen Elizabeth II. He formerly worked at London Legacy Development Corporation where he advised on design of public realm.
He is currently a design review panellist at London Borough of Havering and Design Southeast.
Matthew comes from a multidisciplinary background, having trained in both Architecture and Landscape Architecture.
APPROACH
Over sequential projects and research MHDS have pioneered a unique approach to the Urban Landscape. The city is our muse: an endless source of inspiration for our work. We believe that nature is a key factor in the enjoyment and liveability of cities, a stance increasingly edified by urban academic research. City forms, systems and infrastructures can be created (or adapted) to provide a home and refuge for nature; and in return this envigorates and nourishes the life of the city.
The landscapes we create are generous, open, verdant, innovative and tuned to their innate physical and cultural context.
Climate Emergency Policy
MHDS are committed to tackling the Climate Emergency and as Landscape Architects we understand our design and day-today working methods to be critical in this regard. We have set out a rigorous environmental policy that we observe and monitor:
In our design:
We will seek to reuse/re-purpose materials and minimise material removed from site where possible
We will minimise the requirement for new materials and where needed we will target of 95% new materials Green Guide Rated C or above for every project and 60% category A or above.
We will ensure planting is sourced responsibly from within the UK mainland (UK projects)
In each project we will seek to maximise the quantum of biodiverse planting and trees to absorb carbon and improve biodiversity
We will ensure that all possible measures for rainwater harvesting are employed, with a target of 90% area coverage for each site
We will undertake an impact assessment for each project and publish the results with the target of collective monitoring, learning and improving over time
In our practice:
We will donate 15% of our annual profits to the Woodland Trust to help offset carbon emissions and promote biological recovery in the UK
In our practice we will use only sustainable forms of transport (including work commute). Where this is not possible we will ensure carbon emissions are offset
We source materials and equipment responsibly:
avoiding single-use plastics
planning for a lifespan of technology of 5+ years (3+ years for smartphones)
planning for a lifespan of 10+ years for furniture and storage
sourcing from suppliers with strong environmental credentials
We will volunteer two days per staff member at local environmental charities /projects each year
Our premises are powered and heated using electricity from renewable sources and carbon-offset gas
We will minimise paper output with a target of below 6m2 print area per project (100 sides A4 equivalent)
We will target partnering with like-minded organisations with a similar ethos in tackling the Climate Emergency