Uncommon Land

Welcome to Uncommon Land

We are a new, London-based landscape architecture practice. Part of international design group, Handley House, we combine creative talent with technical expertise to provide global design solutions.

Over the past 70 years, the group has delivered world-class destinations, working across markets and time-zones from London and Dubai to Shanghai and Singapore. Collaborating with our sister companies, Benoy and Holmes Wood, we balance creative vision with commercial viability, shaping iconic urban landscapes that deliver lasting social and economic value.

As a landscape practice, we help clients create beautiful, inclusive and sustainable spaces for the communities they serve. Across the UK, the Middle East and Asia, we work on projects of varying size and scope. Whether it’s city-wide masterplanning or rail network site remediation, the significance and impact of the project is more important to us than scale. Whatever the opportunity, we are relentlessly detail-oriented, bringing a meticulous focus and precision to every project we take on.

Narrative landscapes

In our approach, we aim to create ‘narrative landscapes’, using horticulture and ecology to reflect the underlying history and archaeology of a place. We regard landscape design as a form of storytelling; one which enables memorable and meaningful interactions with the built environment. By pulling threads of narrative through landscape, we help to bind the social fabric of places together.

We are bold but considered in our work, investing time and resources to find the right landscape solution to our clients’ challenges. Through our global insight and experience, we tailor designs to specific climatic conditions and cultural requirements. And with a wealth of sustainability expertise, we can help clients achieve environmental targets, improving the eco-performance of urban centres while deepening people’s relationship with public space.

Working globally

Our ambitious and growing team is led by Landscape Director, Simon Grimbley and Director, Deborah Nagan. We are supported by a wider group of 25 creative directors from Benoy and Holmes Wood, giving us access to a diverse global workforce.

Simon brings a wealth of international expertise and strategic insight. His past work comprises major design, masterplanning and development projects in the UK and abroad, including the London 2012 Olympic Park and Khams Shamat in Damascus.

Deborah’s career has spanned conceptual, political and commercial projects all around the world. From landscape installations in France to retail environments in China, she has built up an extensive body of work in landscape, architecture and interiors.

Contact

studio@uncommonland.com

We are also on the lookout for dynamic individuals to join our rapidly expanding team.

If you are curious, committed and want to change the world through beautiful urban design, we want to hear from you. Send us an email to the address above with your CV and covering letter explaining what you could bring to the practice.

1 Monkwell Square,
London EC2Y 5BL, UK

020 7776 3940