At the end of last year, the LI Education Team collaborated with Hannah Waite CMLI and James Dee CMLI from AECOM to develop a live project brief for students at North Hertfordshire College. The aim was to give students on the UAL Level 3 Art & Design Course (Spatial Design and Architecture pathway) a real-life design challenge whilst also giving them insight into the world of landscape architecture. The students worked on the project for 6 weeks, guided by their course lecturer, Thomas Honeyman, with regular input and expertise provided by Hannah and James. 

All students completed the project, and final submissions were then reviewed by Hannah and James. The quality, creativity and thoughtfulness of the final submissions made the selection process a challenging task. After reviewing the work, two students have been selected for a work experience prize at AECOM this summer.

Congratulations to the prize winners, Emily and Jude. You are a credit to yourselves and the college. Enjoy the work experience at AECOM and soak up the opportunity it presents to support your ongoing study and future career.

Thomas Honeyman, Lecturer, North Hertfordshire College, said:

“The students developed a strong understanding of the design process through a well-structured, employer-led brief focused on a community project at a well-known conservation site in Hitchin. All students embraced the challenge and were supported by AECOM in developing an awareness of key considerations within contemporary landscape architecture projects. The Landscape Institute helped students gain a clear understanding of this potential career pathway and its relevance to their studies, providing a valuable real-world perspective to the project.”

James Dee CMLI, Associate Director, AECOM, said:

Working with the LI, North Hertfordshire College, and the Level 3 students has been a thoroughly rewarding experience. From the initial project briefing and design exploration through to the site visit and final exhibition, we were impressed by the students’ engagement and their understanding of the external realm. It was a pleasure to see so many creative ideas develop and be articulated in such diverse ways. We look forward to supporting the two winning students during their work‑experience placements at AECOM, and hope this proves to be a defining moment in their career paths.

Hannah Waite CMLI, Senior Landscape Architect, AECOM, said: 

It has been a privilege to work with the LI and North Hertfordshire College to support students on the UAL Level 3 Art & Design Course as they developed their understanding of Landscape Architecture through a real-world design brief. I am particularly pleased to offer Emily and Jude work‑experience placements at AECOM, which will hopefully give them meaningful insight into professional practice. Being involved in this initiative has been immensely rewarding, and I hope it has helped encourage and inspire the next generation of Landscape Architects.

Briony Marston, Education Manager, Landscape Institute, said:

“Collaborating with AECOM and North Hertfordshire College has been great experience, and seeing the students’ final outcomes is always exciting. Their work demonstrates the impact that a sustained and embedded project of this kind can have, ensuring that students can develop and broaden their understanding of Landscape Architecture through practice. I hope we have collectively inspired some of the students to follow this exciting and value-driven career path.”

Emily, Level 3 student, and prize winner, said:

“I found that the project’s opportunity to present my ideas both physically and online, enhanced their development. The opportunity of work experience excites me, as it will not only validate my design choices but also help with the practicalities and knowledge of landscape architecture.”

Jude, Level 3 student, and prize winner, said:

“The project was an evolving experience allowing me to learn so much, I enjoyed this much paired with the freedom of creating a space that I have designed. I’m excited for the work experience to give me a feel for the industry and the working world.”

Brett Clarke, Head of Curriculum – Creative Industries, said:

“Employer partnerships such as those developed with the Landscape Institute and AECOM play a vital role in enriching the curriculum and providing students with unique, meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. Through this partnership, learners were able to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts and gain valuable insight into current professional practice and open up new career routes. The impact of employer engagement during the project launch was clearly evident in the project outcomes, driving higher levels of contextual considerations and accelerating design progress in preparation for their Final Major Projects. As a result of the ambitious brief set by AECOM, students, just three months into their chosen subject specialism, were producing work of a notably high standard, demonstrating increased confidence, understanding, and ambition.”

Employer-led projects in the 16–19 education sector

The Landscape Institute’s Employer-Led Projects programme brings together schools, colleges, and local registered practices to provide students aged 16–19 with meaningful, work-related learning experiences. These projects enable students to experience Landscape Architecture, and the landscape profession more broadly, in action, helping them to develop a deeper understanding of the diverse skills and knowledge the career requires.