Shaped by
place
North Norfolk and Singapore: A Life Between Two Landscapes
Dividing my time between North Norfolk and Singapore means living in two entirely different worlds, yet I somehow manage to find a steady rhythm between them. They sit at opposite ends of the spectrum in almost every way, but it is the contrast that makes each place more vivid. The slow pull and the fast pace, the cool, quiet mornings and the warm evening buzz, the wide-open skies and the close embrace of tropical green. It is a balance that continues to shape how I live and how I design.
National Orchid Garden, Singapore
Visiting the National Orchid Garden in Singapore this October was an experience I approached not just as a visitor, but as a landscape architect eager to understand why the space feels so compelling and where its design choices could be pushed even further. The garden is undeniably beautiful, but what struck me most was how meticulously choreographed the entire experience is. Light filters through tall palms to create a sense of gentle arrival, and the initial planting intentionally frames each view. Still, there were moments when the sheer density of colour and texture tipped into saturation, reminding me how vital visual pacing is, even in gardens designed around spectacle.
MacRitchie Treetop Walk
Walking the MacRitchie Treetop Walk felt like entering a world far removed from the city, even though the skyline sits only a short distance away. The forest enclosed us almost immediately, thick with heat, sound and movement. We carried our toddler in a backpack, as this route is certainly not buggy-friendly, and he was completely absorbed from the first stretch of boardwalk. The monkeys were the highlight for him, chattering in the branches above, and the terrapins sunning themselves at the water’s edge drew squeals of delight every time he spotted one.
Cloud Forest, Singapore
Walking the MacRitchie Treetop Walk felt like entering a world far removed from the city, even though the skyline sits only a short distance away. The forest enclosed us almost immediately, thick with heat, sound and movement. We carried our toddler in a backpack, as this route is certainly not buggy-friendly, and he was completely absorbed from the first stretch of boardwalk. The monkeys were the highlight for him, chattering in the branches above, and the terrapins sunning themselves at the water’s edge drew squeals of delight every time he spotted one.
Castle Leslie, Ireland
Dividing my time between North Norfolk and Singapore means living in two entirely different worlds, yet I somehow manage to find a steady rhythm between them. They sit at opposite ends of the spectrum in almost every way, but it is the contrast that makes each place more vivid. The slow pull and the fast pace, the cool, quiet mornings and the warm evening buzz, the wide-open skies and the close embrace of tropical green. It is a balance that continues to shape how I live and how I design.
