John Brookes – International Garden Designer

“No other garden design book has influenced my work more” – Ian Barker.
Recently passing, we’d like to recognise and acknowledge the incredible contribution that John Brookes made to landscape design.
Born in the United Kingdom in 1933, John started designing gardens and landscapes in the late 1950’s, designing thousands of gardens throughout his life. He brought abstract and modernist principles to garden design. We share in his philosophy, “a garden’s design should be based first and foremost on the needs of its occupants, taking it out of the realm of the grand garden traditions which were labour-intensive, expensive and high maintenance”.
John’s career saw him author over two dozen books, including tiles such Room Outside, John Brookes’ Garden Design Book and Garden Masterclass. He also taught and lectured about horticulture, landscape and interior design.
Responsible for projects such as Fitzroy Square in London, The English Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden, College Garden at Westminster Abbey and major private estates in the United Kingdom, the United States, Argentina, Poland and Russia, John’s work has been both influential and inspiring. In 2004, John was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for his contributions to garden design and services to horticulture.
John’s legacy will continue in life through his projects and on paper through his books. We’re extremely thankful for the part that he has played in shaping garden and landscape design worldwide.
Below are just some of his breathtaking achievements as a garden designer. To find out more, click here