Established by Bill McIlwaine in 1989, MLA is today a leading, multi-award-winning practice with a reputation for innovation, creativity, outstanding technical skill and professionalism. We specialise in landscape design, site planning, pedestrian and vehicle circulation, sun path analysis, building location, slope analysis, planting design and horticulture to improve biodiversity. We have additional specialist expertise in sustainable drainage systems and climate resilience in collaboration with Engineers & Ecologists.

We work extensively throughout the UK and Ireland, designing exterior spaces ranging from complex, multi-use urban environmental projects to infrastructure programmes, industrial and commercial developments, residential and amenity schemes, tourist facilities, community motivated projects and school environments. We also provide site appraisals and analyses, feasibility studies, landscape and visual impact studies, masterplanning, detailed design, contract documentation, site inspection and advice on invasive plant species. We take a holistic approach to landscape architecture.

This means working with nature rather than against it to create sustainable landscapes, a healthier environment and a healthier way of living. We follow inclusive design principles for all ages and abilities, and even factor medicinal and edible planting into our designs. We are enthusiastic advocates of sustainable urban drainage – for example, harvesting rainwater to irrigate plants, raingardens to capture pavement runoff and extensive attenuation ponds.

Bill McIlwaine CMLI Bill became interested in Landscape Architecture in the mid 1970s, when the discipline was still in its infancy here. After training as a land surveyor for a large multi-disciplinary consultancy, he gained professional status through the Institute of Landscape Architects (now The Landscape Institute) and by 1987 was an in-demand independent consultant. In 1989 he established his own award-winning practice, McIlwaine Landscape Architects.