Celebrating the future of garden design

Celebrating the future of garden design: The brightest emerging talent in garden and landscape design was celebrated last night at the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) Annual Awards Ceremony in London, where the winners of the SGD Student Awards 2025 were officially announced.

Chosen from an impressive shortlist of 10 finalists, this year’s winners have demonstrated remarkable creativity, skill, and a forward-thinking approach across three categories that cover Public Realm, Residential Gardens, and  Sustainability.

The winning projects showcased innovative solutions to complex design challenges, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, functionality, and beauty.

Judges, David Stevens FSGD, Sarah Morgan FSGD, Tom Massey MSGD and Juliet Sargeant FSGD, praised the students’ ability to balance imaginative concepts with practical design, highlighting their potential to make a significant impact on the profession.

Andrew Duff MSGD, Chair of the Society of Garden Designers, commented: “The standard of entries this year was incredibly high, and the winning projects are a testament to the exceptional talent emerging from garden design schools across the UK. These students have not only created beautiful designs but have also addressed some of the most pressing challenges in our industry. Their work is inspiring and gives me great confidence in the future of garden design.”

THE SGD STUDENT AWARDS 2025 WINNERS

STUDENT DESIGN PUBLIC REALM
KENT HALL BY KATE HYSLOP

In the Student Design Public Realm category,  Kate Hyslop, a student at the London College of Garden Design, was presented with the award for her design for the grounds of Kent Hall, a Grade II 17th century Jacobean residence and outbuildings, recently refurbished as a boutique hotel.

Inspired by the historic gardens, the design combines formal and informal elements, with axial routes guiding visitors through a variety of zones. Highlights include a Mediterranean walled garden, a serene sunken garden, and a natural swimming pond surrounded by woodland.

Sustainability is at the heart of the project, with reclaimed materials, water harvesting, and native planting creating a haven for biodiversity. The result is a thoughtful and visually stunning design that balances historical context with modern functionality, offering guests a rejuvenating retreat.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: 

“This project tackled a difficult and challenging context with impressive skill, bringing the site back to life in a way that feels thoughtful and well-integrated. A beautifully balanced design combining functional yet immersive spaces, exceptional attention to detail, and evocative visuals that showcase a strong sense of place and a bright future for the designer.”

STUDENT DESIGN DOMESTIC
BANKLANDS BY BRONTE SELLER 

In the Domestic Design category, the top award was presented to Bronte Seller also from the London College of Garden Design for Banklands, a semi-subterranean home nestled in the Lake District.

Inspired by the Norwegian philosophy of Friluftsliv—mindful outdoor living—the garden seamlessly integrates sustainable practices with serene, biodiverse spaces, enhancing the site’s natural features while fostering a deep connection with nature.

Highlights include a natural swimming pond, a woodland spa, and a sunken seating area crafted from locally sourced Westmoreland green slate, all contributing to a tranquil and immersive retreat, whilst prioritising sustainability through the inclusion of water management systems, native planting, and materials reclaimed or repurposed on-site.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: 

“The design is exceptionally strong, with visuals that effectively convey the intended atmosphere and provide a clear sense of progression from masterplan to detailed design. This is a compelling and well-executed project that showcases a deep understanding of the site and an inspiring vision for its transformation.”

STUDENT DESIGN SUSTAINABILTY
SAXON MEADOWS BY HOLLY KNIGHT

In the Sustainability category, Holly Knight, a student from the KLC School of Design, won the award for Saxon Meadows, a site consisting of 28 mews-style houses near the historic town of Chichester.

Balancing communal and private spaces while enhancing biodiversity and honouring the site’s historical and natural context, the design draws inspiration from the ancient yew tree at the heart of the site, integrating lush courtyards, a vibrant meadow, and tranquil features like The Hide, a wildlife observation sanctuary that connects visitors to nature.

Sustainable practices, including rainwater management, porous hardscaping, and extensive habitat features such as ponds and green roofs are incorporated, with a mix of native and non-native planting, to create a harmonious retreat for residents and wildlife alike.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: 

“This project embraces ephemeral features, adopting a sustainable approach that addresses biodiversity decline and water supply pressures while achieving a harmonious balance between hard and soft elements. The beautifully executed masterplan, supported by evocative visuals and high-quality materials, demonstrates exceptional skill and makes this a compelling and thoughtful winner.”

The three winners were selected from a shortlist of 10 projects from the KLC School of Design; the London College of Garden Design, The British Academy of Garden Design and the Yorkshire School of Garden Design.

The winners were announced at the prestigious SGD Awards Ceremony, held on February 7th, 2025, at the Landmark Hotel in London. alongside the main SGD Awards.

Images of all the winning gardens in the SGD Awards 2025 can be seen on the SGD website.

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