MICROCOSM: noun – a community, place or situation regarded as encapsulating in miniature the characteristics of something much larger – origin from Greek micros kosmos “little world”.

We think all spaces are connected parts of something larger and our work as designers is to find those connections and make them stronger. It can be a space that retains a palimpsest of its past; a new use for an area or building in an established urban context; a habitat link; a green infrastructure connection for people, plants, water or fauna; a new layer to place on an established garden or park.

Connectivity is a modern sensibility and we temper this with an understanding of the ancient concept of genius loci or spirit of the place. There is always a band of optimum design solutions to a site and a proposal to change it.

We create spaces and places by proposing real solutions to problems. We do this by good design that comes from understanding the client and understanding the site.

I founded this company because I wanted to work with like-minded people who wanted to combine strong environmental planning with excellent, contemporary landscape and urban design, presented in a graphically distinctive way and advocated with intelligence and lucidity. Not finding a company that quite met my requirements, I decided to create one.

– Tom Robinson

People

2018 RICS Awards - Project of the Year - Hitachi Rail Europe
2018 RICS Awards - Regeneration - Hitachi Rail Europe
2014 The Landscape Institute Awards - Design for a Large Scale Public Development - Wandle Park, Croydon, Greater London
2012 Civic Trust Awards Regional Finalist - Cathedral Square, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle Upon Tyne
2011 Lord Mayor’s Design Commendation for Landscape - Sir. Bobby Robson Memorial Garden, Newcastle Upon Tyne
2011 Lord Mayor’s Design Commendation for Accessibility - Cathedral Square, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle Upon Tyne
2011 RTPI Regional Award Winner for Urban Design - Cathedral Square, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle Upon Tyne
2009 Lord Mayor’s Design Commendation for Landscape - Newcastle City Library
2009 Hadrian Commendation - Sunniside Gardens, Sunderland
2008 RTPI Regional Award Commendation - Sunniside Gardens, Sunderland
2008 RICS Renaissance Winner for Regeneration - Sunniside Gardens, Sunderland
2007 Landscape Institute Highly Commended for Design Under 1ha - Sunniside Gardens, Sunderland