Barn Conversations: Designing with Nature
This session brings together Paul Gazerwitz, landscape designer, and Piers Smerin, architect, to discuss their collaborative approach to architecture, landscape, and sustainability at OmVed Gardens new spaces. Together, they will explore how thoughtful design can harmonise with nature, promote biodiversity, and create spaces that are both beautiful and ecologically responsible.
Join us for an insightful and dynamic discussion as part of our Barn Conversations: Sowing Knowledge, Growing Change, a new series of thought-provoking conversations around powerful ideas that cultivate change, nurture collaboration, and grow new possibilities.
What to Expect:
6:30 PM – Doors open | Explore the gardens and enjoy the surroundings.
7:00 PM – Conversation Begins
40 minutes – Paul and Piers introduce their work, offering insights into architecture, landscape design, and sustainability.
25 minutes – A dynamic conversation between the speakers, exploring the intersection of their disciplines and their collaborative approach.
25 minutes – Open discussion and Q&A, inviting audience engagement.
8:30 PM – Conversation ends | Stay for informal networking and further discussion.
Set within the newly transformed OmVed Gardens, this conversation will delve into the power of design to respond to environmental challenges, offering inspiration for architects, designers, and nature enthusiasts alike.
Come be part of the conversation—where knowledge is sown, and change takes root.
About the speakers:
Paul Gazerwitz
Paul Gazerwitz, CMLI MSGD, studied Landscape Architecture at Cornell University in New York and started his career working in his native USA. After moving to London in 1989, Paul worked for several award-winning practices in the commercial sector, becoming involved in the creation of many large public open spaces and mixed use
developments. An experienced plantsman, Paul also joined Arabella Lennox-Boyd’ office in the late 1990’s prior to setting up del Buono Gazerwitz in 2000. Until recently he sat on the editorial board of the Garden Design Journal.
Piers Smerin
Architect Piers Smerin is the principal of Smerin Architects and prior to that co-founder of Eldridge Smerin, where over thirteen years they designed innovative contemporary houses, offices, retail, recreational, and educational spaces both in the UK and abroad. Their work earned awards from RIBA and the Civic Trust, including a Stirling Prize shortlist and a win in the One-off House category at the 2009 Architect Of The Year Awards. Since then Smerin Architects has undertaken a range of similar work and won both National and Regional RIBA Awards, been successful in the ISE Structural Awards, Structural Steel Design Awards and Timber In Construction Awards and been a Best Of Houzz Design Award winner for a number of years. Educated at Westminster University and the Royal College of Art in London, earlier in his career he developed his expertise working with Simon Conder, Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, and John McAslan.
About OmVed Gardens:
OmVed Gardens is a garden, exhibition, events, and learning space in North London dedicated to exploring the connections between food, ecology and creativity for health and climate resilience. We are on a mission to inspire ecological awareness and action, and deepen our understanding of interconnectedness with the natural world.
As a registered Community Interest Company, all our activities prioritise social and ecological objectives. Whether collaborating with chefs, creatives, gardeners, or schools, OmVed Gardens is a hub for education, connection, and action. We aim to inspire individuals and communities to reimagine their role in building a healthier, more resilient world.
We work to increase biodiversity - of species, seeds, food systems, and participation, through regenerative gardening, seed saving, habitat creation, and ecological education. Our space serves as a living example of how urban areas can be transformed into thriving ecosystems that support both human and non-human communities.
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www.omvedgardens.com · @omvedgardens
Subsidised Tickets:
We have a few reserved tickets at a subsidised rate. If this workshop is not monetarily accessible, please write to us at events@omvedgardens.com to avail yourself of a subsidised ticket rate. Subject to availability.
Refund Policy:
Tickets are non-refundable, except in cases where an event is sold out and a waiting list exists for the session. Refund requests can be made up to 10 days prior to the session. Please write to us for any refund inquiries,
Location
OmVed Gardens, N6 5JF