mike bird

Harnessing natural passive elements and bridging the gap between sustainable and contemporary landscape design, Visionscapes aims to design and create productive and eco efficient outdoor living spaces using rustic and quirky charm whilst maintaining the aesthetic and function of the modern garden. Our designs include natural swimming pools and water features, productive food spaces, outdoor chill spaces and outdoor spa and bathing areas. Visionscapes brings the indoors out and the outdoors in.

Working my way up from an entry level position to being a captain on a 24 metre sailing sloop. I spent five years in this industry in multiple roles on multiple yachts primarily based in the Mediterranean. I thoroughly enjoyed the demands and challenges of this industry and believe I gained a wealth of experience from systems management to people management and everything in between. At the top end of this industry, my role was centred around project management, keeping a super yacht well managed and maintained to the highest standards, whilst insuring, during busy charter seasons, that you and your crew are treating your guests to an incredible experience in luxurious and charming surroundings with safety and comfort as top priorities.

Maintained the grounds of this grade 1 listed 12 acre estate. At the height of the English gardening scene, Wilsley was managed by a team of 5 gardeners. I re-established the food systems whilst managing other aspects of this fairy tale homestead. The grounds consisted of 4 acres of formal gardens and the rest was made up of forest systems. My role was primarily to look after the grounds although I did provide other managerial services to look after the owner and the house itself.

Sub-contracted to this top-end landscaping design consultancy based in Highgate but commissioned to do work across north London. Involved in multiple large scale landscaping projects as well as design shows across the capitol. Work included hard landscaping like paving, brickwork, water features, retainer walls in multiple mediums, large excavation projects included earth moving and land forming, land drainage systems, irrigation and water harvesting. Work also involved soft landscaping to include planting projects, turfing and tree planting.

Involved in multiple projects to include garden maintenance, soft landscaping and some hard landscaping projects across north London in the private sector. Also involved in some contemporary installations in retail spaces in Oxford Street.

Supervision of overall works on site, client liaison, management and supervision of team on site, procurement of materials, appointment and liaison of sub contractors, overall programming and management of works, ensuring safety and medical protocol is adhered to, liaison with local council inspectorate and decision tracking and reporting.

A great company in Cape Town who build off-grid systems to help clients live a more environmentally low-impact and ecologically sensitive lifestyle. We provide a fully curated consultation and design service to clients for all their water, garden and power needs to help them become more self-reliant. In addition, as lead stakeholders in the alternative water sector in Cape Town, privately and commercially, OwnGrown has helped save millions of litres with installations of water management solutions including grey water systems, rainwater harvesting, ground water filtration and eco-pool systems.