About
Simple solutions and astrong sense of place
The terra firma Consultancy is a Landscape Architecture practice specialising in all aspects of landscape design, planning and assessment; at all scales, in all sectors, throughout the UK and overseas.
About
terra firma
terra firma has been creating simple, sustainable and beautifully designed solutions for a huge range of projects since 1985.
Our services encompass the entire range of the landscape architectural profession’s remit from inception, assessment and concept, to delivery and on-going management beyond.
The scope of the practice’s work engages in every sector; strategic landscape masterplans, landscape design for private estates and gardens, residential developments of all types, prestigious corporate headquarters, health and community care complexes; sports and leisure centres, school, college and university buildings, heritage schemes, retail, industrial and office complexes, public parks and open space, urban streetscapes, waterside and sustainable community initiatives.
Launched by ex-Portsmouth City Chief Landscape Architect John Wigham in 1985, the company was led by Lionel Fanshawe between 2000 and 2020, when Alison Galbraith and Robyn Butcher joined Lionel as equal partners. Since Lionel’s retirement in April 2025 Alison and Robyn have run the practice.
terra firma has worked in 30 countries, across six continents, in its 40 year history. Based in the Hampshire town of Petersfield in the South Downs National Park, terra firma’s work spans the globe – but never without a personal touch.
Achievements
awards
Over the years, the team has won many awards and received the 2020 Winner in the ‘Landscape Architect Company Over 10 Staff’ category in the Pro Landscaper Business Awards. The previous year, terra firma was the first firm ever to be outright winner of two of the five categories of the Local Government News Street Design Awards for the Muslim Cemetery Peace Garden with Woking Borough Council, and the i360 Plaza with Brighton and Hove City Council. Additionally, the practice assisted with projects that were highly commended in no less than four of the South Downs National Park Design Awards and one of the New Forest’s. More recently terra firma has been part of the team that won a RIBA National and East Award for work for the National Trust at Sutton Hoo in 2022 and in 2024, part of the team that won a RIBA Wales Award for work at Hay Castle.
Collaboration
Specialist Assistance
The practice regularly calls in specialist assistance according to the needs of individual projects and has a long and happy record of networking and associations with other professionals including Arboriculturalists, Ecologists, Civil Engineers and Soil Scientists. amongst others. When required, the practice does not hesitate to call on a well tried network of freelancers and colleagues to assist.
Accreditation
Memberships
terra firma is a Landscape Institute Registered Practice, obtained Investors in People Status in 2004 and is Quality Assured to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, keeping both current following regular re-appraisals since April 2018. You can read our Quality Policy here.
We are very pleased to share the announcement of the uploading of the Humanitarian Landscape Collective’s website. Former Director Lionel was a founder member and we are pleased to say terra firma is a sponsor of this worthy initiative.
