Culture

60 years of placemaking

2022 sees us mark an impressive 60 years in practice. Our success is thanks to the people who have helped to grow the practice over the last six decades.

From humble beginnings in Glasgow, Gillespies has become one of the largest and most successful global landscape architecture, urban design and landscape consultancies. We maintain our local roots while delivering our global mission: to design transformative spaces that make people’s live measurably better.

Right from our founding in 1962, we've sought to address a range of environmental issues and contribute to creating and regenerating urban areas. Read more in Our story.

See more about how we do business in Our approach.

Culture
Alison Baxter, Principal Landscape Architect, Oxford

Alison Baxter, Principal Landscape Architect, Oxford

The cultural diversity here at Gillespies makes for a refreshing social environment to work in, not to mention all the international treats and goodies we get to eat! The international diversity for projects is also prevalent, allowing us to be a part of a wider global community. We are encouraged to excel and broaden our skills as individual designers through workshops, site visits, conferences and international trips, allowing us to explore and push the boundaries of the industry we work in.

Alec Gibb, Intern, June - September 2022

Working as an intern at Gillespies has been an exciting and eye-opening experience, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity. Being able to develop my design and technical skills while working on real-world projects has been an incredible introduction to the world of Landscape Architecture, and working alongside such a dynamic, welcoming and talented team has been a pleasure. I particularly enjoyed the frequent CPD sessions, where some of the most interesting minds in Landscape and Urban design were invited to share their perspectives and wisdom; the education that these provided was first class.”

“Above all, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself, and being able to work on such important and exciting projects with such an incredible team feels like a real privilege.

Eugenia Grilli, Partner

At Gillespies, our culture thrives on the vibrant tapestry of international diversity among our talented staff, igniting a creative energy that fuels our passion for innovative design solutions.

Throughout my eight years with the firm, I've witnessed the transformative power of our inclusive and collaborative approach, where design freedom is encouraged, and ideas flourish through thoughtful reviews. Together, we embark on diverse projects worldwide, driven by the shared belief in improving lives and creating sustainable communities that harmonize with nature. At Gillespies, we don't just shape landscapes; we shape futures, weaving nature into the fabric of human experiences through cutting-edge and innovative approaches. Our commitment to pushing boundaries and crafting spaces that leave a lasting impact is what sets us apart as a design leader, and we take pride in creating a better world through our work.

Ryan Bailey, Principal Landscape Architect, Leeds

Ryan Bailey, Principal Landscape Architect, Leeds

Gillespies broad range of projects and focus on landscape architecture was an attractive asset to me as a graduate landscape architect. Since joining, I have been immersed in a wide range of projects, both large and small in scale and at a variety of stages from concept through to detailed design, providing me with the essential skills needed to progress within the profession. The office provides a welcoming and friendly environment whilst never failing to create a diverse and challenging range of projects for me to work on.