About
The Practice
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.
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.
Our Approach
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.
Practice Awards
- Forthriver Innovation Centre, Sustainability Award, Belfast
- Rabb’s Farm Primary School, London
- Lyric Theatre, Belfast – multiple awards
- Bushmills & Portballintrae Waste Water Treatment Works – Construction Excellence Award (Utilities)
- Fofanny Water Treatment Works – multiple awards
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.
Practice Awards
- Forthriver Innovation Centre, Sustainability Award, Belfast
- Rabb’s Farm Primary School, London
- Lyric Theatre, Belfast – multiple awards
- Bushmills & Portballintrae Waste Water Treatment Works – Construction Excellence Award (Utilities)
- Fofanny Water Treatment Works – multiple awards
The Principals
Bill McIlwaine CMLI
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.
Experience
Bill’s experience is exceptionally wide, ranging from garden design for private clients to large multi-use developments; from water treatment plants to solar farms. He has also worked extensively in the education and healthcare sectors throughout the UK.
He is known for his eye for detail, his commitment to sustainable design and the scope of his experience, particularly with regard to large-scale projects in infrastructure, business parks, urban renewal and housing projects.
In Addition
Bill is a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute. Bill is a former member of several Committees of the Landscape Institute Northern Ireland.
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.
Experience
Bill’s experience is exceptionally wide, ranging from garden design for private clients to large multi-use developments; from water treatment plants to solar farms. He has also worked extensively in the education and healthcare sectors throughout the UK.
He is known for his eye for detail, his commitment to sustainable design and the scope of his experience, particularly with regard to large-scale projects in infrastructure, business parks, urban renewal and housing projects.
In Addition
Bill is a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute. Bill is a former member of several Committees of the Landscape Institute Northern Ireland.
Jonathan Assorto-McIlwaine CMLI
Jonathan Assorto-McIlwaine CMLI
Jonathan has over 25 years’ experience in the landscape industry, and has worked for leading consultancies, private practices and local authorities on projects across the UK and Ireland, and internationally. He joined MLA in 2019. Jonathan is particularly passionate about all aspects of sustainability and applying sound horticulture principles in landscape design.
Experience
Jonathan’s experience includes acting as landscape architecture lead for the masterplan on a new hospital in Edinburgh and assisting in managing the landscape architectural input on the new M3 Motorway for Meath County Council (with a €1bn budget). He has worked on major projects in sectors including healthcare, education, residential, civic and public realm.
Jonathan has a particular interest in sustainable landscape design, and has extensive knowledge of working with complex site conditions and microclimates, horticulture and planting, as well as planning and regeneration.
In Addition
Jonathan is a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute and a Member of the Landscape Institute’s Third-Party Environmental Standards Working Group.
Jonathan Assorto-McIlwaine CMLI
Jonathan has over 25 years’ experience in the landscape industry, and has worked for leading consultancies, private practices and local authorities on projects across the UK and Ireland, and internationally. He joined MLA in 2019. Jonathan is particularly passionate about all aspects of sustainability and applying sound horticulture principles in landscape design.
Experience
Jonathan’s experience includes acting as landscape architecture lead for the masterplan on a new hospital in Edinburgh and assisting in managing the landscape architectural input on the new M3 Motorway for Meath County Council (with a €1bn budget). He has worked on major projects in sectors including healthcare, education, residential, civic and public realm.
Jonathan has a particular interest in sustainable landscape design, and has extensive knowledge of working with complex site conditions and microclimates, horticulture and planting, as well as planning and regeneration.
In Addition
Jonathan is a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute and a Member of the Landscape Institute’s Third-Party Environmental Standards Working Group.
THE WIDER TEAM
We work with a hand-picked team of practitioners, including senior chartered and graduate landscape architects, technicians, as well as specialists such as arboriculturists and ecologists as required.
