As part of World Landscape Architecture Month 2026, we’re celebrating the people behind our projects and the ideas shaping the future of landscape design.

 

In this Q&A, we speak with FPCR Landscape Architect Barzin Geravandi about his journey into the profession, his approach to designing with nature, and why landscape architecture plays a vital role in creating sustainable, resilient places. From nature-based design principles to the importance of empathy in shaping spaces, Barzin shares insights into how thoughtful landscape architecture can benefit both people and the environment.

 

 What drew you to landscape architecture?

I originally trained and worked professionally as an architect, and later as an urban designer, which gave me a strong grounding in the built environment. However, throughout those years, my deep personal interest in nature – and the value I place on its role within human‑made environments – became increasingly central to how I thought about design. I realised that landscape architecture offered a more holistic way to bring together people, place, and the natural world. This desire to work more directly with living systems and to positively influence the relationship between nature and development ultimately led me to pursue landscape architecture as my professional focus.

How did you come to join FPCR?

During my final term as a student, I spent time carefully reviewing and comparing the websites and LinkedIn profiles of leading landscape architecture practices. I became familiar with FPCR’s projects, ethos and values, which strongly resonated with my own interests in context‑led, environmentally responsible design. When I came across FPCR’s job advert, I applied with genuine enthusiasm. Following the interview process, I was delighted to be offered the role and to join a practice whose approach I already greatly admired.

How would you describe your approach to landscape architecture design?

My approach is multi‑layered and context‑driven. I aim to balance environmental considerations, historical context, sustainability, and the practical use of space, aligning closely with the core values of our practice. I believe successful landscape design responds carefully to its surroundings, respects the past, functions well for users, and delivers long‑term environmental benefit, rather than focusing solely on visual impact.

What emerging landscape architecture trend excites or concerns you most?

I am increasingly interested in nature‑based and low‑intervention design approaches. I strongly believe we should relearn lessons from traditional practices where people worked with natural systems rather than against them. Coming from Iran, where I lived for many years in a dry and water‑scarce climate, I saw first‑hand how plants, landscapes and communities adapt continuously to survive. Historically, people in these regions shaped their cities, homes and gardens in harmony with climate, creating extraordinary landscapes such as the Persian gardens – Paradise – in the heart of the desert. Especially today, these nature‑based approaches feel more relevant than ever and should guide our future design thinking worldwide.

Can you think of a project that changed how you design? What did it teach you?

One particularly influential project involved designing a children’s play space. Beyond the technical, safety, and budgetary requirements, I had to place myself mentally in the position of a young child and experience the space from their perspective. This shift in viewpoint was highly instructive and reinforced the importance of empathy in design – understanding how different users perceive and interact with a space can fundamentally improve the quality and success of a project.

If you could change one public perception about landscape architecture, what would it be?

Landscape architecture is still sometimes viewed as being limited to beautification, planting, or gardening alone. In reality, our role extends far beyond aesthetics. As landscape architects, we have a responsibility to people, the environment, and other living systems, working to protect and enhance both natural and human‑made environments. Through thoughtful landscape design – even small interventions such as material choices or plant selection – we can support biodiversity, improve wellbeing, and contribute meaningfully to climate change adaptation and mitigation.

What’s one small design detail people underestimate but makes a huge difference?

Small rain gardens around homes or within private gardens are often underestimated. Despite their modest scale, they can significantly reduce surface water runoff, help prevent local flooding, and contribute to resilience during periods of drought. These simple interventions demonstrate how thoughtful landscape design can deliver substantial environmental benefits.

If you weren’t a landscape architect, what would you be doing?

I would most likely be working in agriculture or horticulture. Growing and nurturing plants, understanding soil and seasons, and working closely with the land has always appealed to me and aligns naturally with my interest in living systems.

What advice would you give to someone starting a career in landscape architecture?

My advice would be to observe your surroundings carefully and learn directly from the landscape itself. Places often reveal how they want to be treated – what works, what doesn’t, and where opportunities lie. Developing this sensitivity to context, climate, and natural processes is just as important as technical skills and will greatly strengthen your design thinking over time.

 

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Landscape architecture continues to play a critical role in addressing environmental challenges, supporting biodiversity, and shaping places that work in harmony with nature. As Barzin’s insights highlight, even small yet thoughtful interventions can have a meaningful impact on how we design for nature.