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About Us

Hirst Landscape Architects was established in February 1983, trading initially as Simon Hirst Associates, under the direction of its Sole Trader Proprietor, Simon Hirst. In 2007, the business became a Partnership when Paul Miller, a one-time long-serving member of staff returned to the fold after a sabbatical to provide a fresh perspective and added impetus for the way forward.

The Firm remains based in Glasgow, from where it services commissions across Scotland and the rest of the UK. Having been heavily involved with the public sector during its formative years, the business has evolved and is now actively engaged in the private sector across a broad range of project type which includes Commercial, Education, Healthcare, Retail, Leisure, Public Realm and Infrastructure.

We are committed to the complete integration of the landscape in all of our schemes and engage from the outset, becoming involved with Feasibility Studies; the preparation of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments; Landscape Capacity Studies; Masterplanning and the subsequent Detailed Design of all facilities, working closely with the allied disciplines of Architecture and Engineering and oftentimes the Contractor to co-ordinate all aspects of the external works.

Having reached our 38th anniversary, Hirst Landscape Architects is proud of the legacy we have left behind and appreciative of the loyalty and support that we have received from our many Clients.

Partners

  • Simon John Hirst - (Dip LA; M.L.I.) - Partner

    • Simon John Hirst - (Dip LA; M.L.I.) - Partner

    Simon has been passionate about landscape design and wider environmental issues since graduating from what was then Manchester Polytechnic in 1977. Following a short stint at Merseyside County Council, he moved to Scotland and spent four years consolidating the position of a small satellite office for an English company, learning the tradecraft of the profession and building his reputation. In 1983 he set up his own firm, operating as a Sole Trader, under the guise of Simon Hirst Associates, believing that there was a better way of delivering a highly personal and focussed service, which would result in superior outcomes for Clients and users alike.

    During more than forty years in Practice, he has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and an innate ability to bring this experience to bear upon projects covering the whole gamut of environmental design.

    By working closely with the allied disciplines of Architecture and Engineering, he has acquired an empirical understanding of the underlying nature of development and construction.

    Simon continues to maintain an active role in the business and thrives on collaborative working, engaging from the outset with stakeholders to create holistic, site specific solutions, with landscape at the heart of every scheme.

    Qualifications:

    Dip LA (Manc) Manchester Metropolitan University 1977
    CMLI Chartered Member of The Landscape Institute 1980

  • Paul Ronald Miller - (BA Hons; M.L.I.) - Partner

    • Paul Ronald Miller - (BA Hons; M.L.I.) - Partner

    After graduating from Heriot Watt University/Edinburgh College of Art in 1989, Paul worked for Michael Laird Partnership in Edinburgh before joining, what was then, Simon Hirst Associates in Glasgow at the end of 1991.

    Following a period leading Glasgow City Council’s Parks Landscape Design Group between 2002 and 2007, Paul re-joined Simon as a Partner of Hirst Landscape Architects, where he has continued to build his knowledge and expertise over a range of sectors. Paul is a passionate advocate of landscape design and the benefits of engaging a Landscape Architect early in the design process. Collaborative and approachable, he enjoys working with Clients, Designers and Stakeholders to help create interesting, vibrant and sustainable landscapes and spaces.

    Paul is an established Examiner and Pathway Supervisor for The Landscape Institute’s Pathway to Chartership. He enjoys mentoring Graduates working towards their Chartership exams within the Practice and takes a personal interest in helping the next generation of Landscape Architects to realise their potential.

Accreditations

The Landscape Institute

Hirst Landscape Architects is a Registered Practice of The Landscape Institute. The Landscape Institute (LI) is the chartered body for the profession. It is an educational charity that promotes the art and science of landscape practice. The LI’s aim, through the work of its Members is to protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for public benefit. The LI provides a professional home for LI Practitioners, including Landscape Scientists, Landscape Planners, Landscape Architects, Landscape Managers and Urban Designers. To find out more about The Landscape Institute

CHAS

Hirst Landscape Architects’ Health and Safety systems have been independently certified by CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme). This provides the assurance that the Practice complies with the approved Code of Practice which supported the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (now recognised as CDM 2015).

Cyber Essentials

Hirst Landscape Architects’ internet systems have been independently verified to be compliant with the requirements of Cyber Essentials, a UK Government scheme encouraging organisations to adopt good practice in information security.  It includes an assurance framework and a simple set of security controls to protect information from threats coming from the internet.  It was developed in collaboration with industry partners, including the Information Security Forum, the Information Assurance for Small and Medium Enterprises Consortium and the British Standards Institute.

Their innovation and enthusiasm for landscape design has been paramount to the successful winning of a number of tenders for our business and this ‘passion’ has continued through construction to successful project delivery. Our clients, in particular North Lanarkshire Council, have been hugely complimentary.

- Andrew Walker, Design Manager, Morgan Sindall

Throughout every step of the project Hirsts have excelled in customer service through a responsive, pro-active and collaborative approach. Hirst’s determination to find workable solutions to complex challenges helps propel them above market competitors.

- Garry Williamson, Implementation Manager, Riverside Inverclyde

I have enjoyed a fruitful relationship with HLA over several years and they have never failed to provide a creative, well designed value for money solution regardless of scale and complexity. Their response to client’s ideas is always constructive ensuring that they deliver close to or above expectations.

- George Webb, Project Director, Cyril Sweett

We have always found HLA to be friendly, creative, efficient and professional in the services they provide and we aim to continue this long relationship over the years to come.

- Ken MacDougall, Development & Regeneration Manager, Govanhill Housing Association/Govanhill Community Development Trust/GREAT Gardens

We always enjoy working with Simon and his colleagues. We find their combination of creativity, passion and hands on pro-activity, together with their evident desire to genuinely take ownership of the landscape design, all delivered with a dash of earthy Yorkshire humour, ultimately combines to create an effective and enjoyable working relationship. They are good guys to work with.

- Kevin Cooper, Director, Ingenium Archial

Outstanding achievement for a highly professional design practice… Paul's contribution on a major environmental improvement project was first class - from appointment through to completion of project. Maintained excellent communication lines throughout the project & extremely responsive to solving issues, even outwith his remit. I would have no hesitation in utilising Paul & Hirst's services in the future & would recommend them for any client requiring a quality design & excellent product delivery.

- Kevin Lawlor, Special Projects Team, Glasgow Life (formerly of North Lanarkshire Council)

HLA were a late addition to the design team...but they took the time to understand the design requirements and had a very impressive turnaround time of their initial proposals. The design itself tied into the overall design vision very quickly which has given us, as the Architects, confidence in the development of a very key aspect of the design.

- Mark Coffey, GWP Architects

Hirst Landscape Architects bring a dynamic and “can do” approach to the projects we have worked on together, which is refreshing and well received by our management teams. They very much buy into being a member of the team and look to be proactive in addressing any issues that arise whether in pre-construction or on site.

- Martin Cooper, Construction Director, BAM Construction

I am very appreciative of Hirst’s hands on approach and customer focus – in particular their full acknowledgement of the Client brief.

- Michael Poole-Sutherland, Project Manager, Lend Lease (Project SLAM)

Attention to detail, excellent communication and sound advice remain the Practice's strengths.

- Morton Gillespie, Project Manager, Highland Council

My ability to project manage has been assisted in a significant way by the professionalism and quality of service given by Hirst’s Paul Miller over these last 3 years. Delivery of the programmes within our set budgets and advice given when has been first-class.

- Philip Watson, Glasgow Housing Association Ltd, Regeneration Team

HLA’s skill set and pro active approach sees them provide more than landscape architecture: they engender themselves as an integral part of the team and holistic commentators on project solutions.

- Richard Walker Director, CRGP Architects Ltd

Simon brings energy and professionalism to his projects. He attacks project challenges with vigour and once he has ‘the bit’ between his teeth is apparently unstoppable!

- Shaun Gaston, Technical Director Architecture, Jacobs

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