Bio

Ever since I was a child, growing up surrounded by nature, I've had a love of botany and been fascinated by the structural forms and systems of plants, and by the magical geometry of fractals found in living structures.

So when I studied architecture at the University of the Witwatersrand, my designs were informed by my love of botany. Here I discovered the aesthetics of 'organic architecture', and biomorphic shapes inspired by natural forms. At that time I also realized the importance of 'green' architecture, and set out to demonstrate that botanical forms and systems could teach us how to create sustainable buildings through biomimetic design. Inspired by the bioclimatic skyscrapers of architect Ken Yeang, I combined architecture and greenery in my project 'The Inside-out Glasshouse' which I presented at the Holcim Forum for Sustainable Construction in 2007.

My interest in 'hortitecture' grew to include not just individual buildings, but the whole of the built environment, urban greening and 'eco master planning'. My vision is of whole cities where green spaces are stitched together to form one continuous living habitat through which we, and other forms of life, can move safely and freely.

I believe that any space can be a garden, and that all gardens should be a habitat for biodiversity. I wanted to create wildlife gardens and green spaces everywhere, so I went on to study at The School of Garden Design, South Africa's oldest private garden design school.

As someone who is on the autistic spectrum, I'm fascinated by psychology. We humans are part of this landscape of biodiversity, and I believe that all human habitats should have an element which is green and alive, and supports our symbiotic connections with other forms of life. This is vital to our mental and physical wellness. My mission is to create garden spaces, inspired by the geometry of nature, that support biodiversity and wellness.

Inspirational reading / viewing:

The Private Life of Plants presented by David Attenborough

New Organic Architecture by David Pearson

Bioclimatic Skyscrapers by Ken Yeang

Eco Master Planning by Ken Yeang

Lost Connections (Chapter 11) by Johann Hari

How to Grow Fresh Air by Dr B.C. Wolverton

Midworld by Alan Dean Foster