Celebrating 10 Years of Nilufer Danis Studio
As Nilufer Danis Studio marks its 10-year milestone, we take a stroll down memory lane, exploring the roots of inspiration that led to its inception. In a really heartfelt interview with our founder, we delve into the studio's key achievements, learning from challenges, celebrating success stories, and embracing evolving design trends. Join us on this special retrospective journey as we uncover the motivations, lessons, and achievements that have defined a decade of creativity and innovation in landscape architecture and garden design.
Read on to discover the story behind Nilufer Danis Studio, the lessons we learned from the challenges we faced, noteworthy projects and awards, as well as the exciting trends shaping the future of the industry. Plus, valuable advice for aspiring designers straight from our founder's experience!
1. Reflecting on the Journey
Looking back over the past 10 years, what inspired you to start Nilufer Danis Studio? Can you share some of the key milestones and moments that stand out in the company's history?
I've always loved art, creativity, and nature, and I believe that's what drove me to start Nilufer Danis Studio. I wanted to bring together high quality, creativity, innovation, and sustainable design after seeing how well-designed outdoor spaces can truly make a real difference.
In terms of some of our key milestones, winning our first RHS gold medal and securing the best in the category at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in 2012 stands out prominently. It marked our debut in design competitions and set the tone for our commitment to high quality and sustainability. Nonetheless, teaming up with an experienced landscape crew was key to making it all happen!
We're also very proud of transforming a dull car park into a cutting-edge park, called Commonwealth Park, in Gibraltar and winning awards like Best International Project by Plant Magazine and being shortlisted for the International Award at BALI National Landscape Awards 2015. It was the first public park in Gibraltar. Seeing families picnic and teens gather for activities there has been incredibly rewarding.
Such moments have certainly defined our journey and inspired us to keep pushing our limits with each and every one of our endeavours.
2. Learning from Mistakes
Every business faces challenges. What were some significant obstacles or mistakes the company encountered, how did you overcome them and how did these challenges contribute to the growth of the studio?
That’s correct; just like any other business (especially nowadays), we faced our fair share of challenges along the way. At the start of the business, I remember one big issue for us was not having a well-defined business plan and a solid marketing strategy to ensure we reached the right clients and grew sustainably. This lack of strategy had an impact on our clients’ profile, the type of projects we were getting, as well as our cash flow.
However, with every challenge, we learned a valuable lesson, making us reassess, improve our business and marketing, and redefine our target clients. After the initial period, we invested in working with consultants, including a business coach, brand consultant, and a marketing manager. They helped us streamline our process, set a clear vision, and create a strategic plan for goals, target markets, and growth. We now regularly revisit and update this plan as a team as the business evolves.
3. Key Lessons Learned
Speaking of lessons learned, what are the most valuable lessons you've learned as a founder and how did these lessons influence the way the studio operates today?
There are multiple lessons that come to mind, but the most important one to me has always been being able to adapt. This industry is very dynamic, so what works today might not work tomorrow, which is why we're always flexible to adapt to current trends to meet our clients’ needs.
Secondly, I think understanding and prioritising our clients is vital. That’s at least the case for our business. We always prioritise clear communication with our clients and suppliers to avoid any misunderstandings and delays.
Last but not least is balancing creativity with practicality. As far as I’m concerned, for a project to be successful, its creative ideas should align with the project feasibility. Needless to mention, it should also be sustainable, a key characteristic of all our designs and one of our company’s core values.
4. Success Stories
Image: The Commonwealth Park by Nilufer Danis Studio
Can you share with us a few projects that have been particularly rewarding or successful for the company?
The Commonwealth Park in Gibraltar holds a special place in our journey as it marks the beginning of showcasing our design skills. We presented two concept designs to the clients, both of which they found appealing, hence why the decision-making process took longer than anticipated. We also had to overcome some on-site challenges and managed to do so by liaising with the right consultants and working in a great multi-functional team.
Following the success of this project, we were commissioned to design several more parks and public realms in Gibraltar.
Another rewarding project for us is the Community Garden in Taichung, Taiwan. Here, we successfully demonstrated how green spaces can enhance urban environments through innovative and sustainable design. The park featured eco-friendly elements and became a popular and inspirational space for visitors.
The third would be designing prestigious Sheraton Hotel and conference centre in Ankara, Turkey. Our design aimed to refresh and revitalise the entrance of the hotel to make the right first impression with visitors, transforming it from a soulless car drop-off point to a sensory focal point for the hotel. The installation works have been not carried out yet.
Last but not least, we are proud to have partnered with leading industry architects, such as Roger Stirk Harbour + Partners and Tadao Ando, for some of our residential and park projects. All of these collaborations have been particularly rewarding in enhancing our portfolio and showing our commitment to innovative and cutting-edge design solutions.
5. Awards and Recognition
Image: The Turkish Garden winning the RHS Gold Medal and Best World Garden at RHS Hampton in 2015
Nilufer Danis Studio has received a multitude of awards over the years. Can you discuss some of the most significant awards and how they have contributed to the studio’s success?
Sure! We’re proud to have received some significant awards throughout this decade as it highlights just how committed our studio is to excellence.
One standout achievement was at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in 2012, where our first garden design earned both a Gold Medal and the Best in Category award. This moment gave us a confidence boost and helped us attract new clients, setting us on a path of growth. Another notable one was our conceptual garden, "Wrath – Eruption of Unhealed Anger," which secured a Gold Medal in 2014, showcasing our artistic and creative abilities. Next is The Turkish Garden of Paradise in 2015, which was awarded a Gold Medal and Best in Category and received a lot of media coverage, including a feature on BBC. Our international projects, such as the Commonwealth Park project in 2015 and the Green Oasis Pocket Park in 2016, further showcased our commitment to excellence and sustainability, earning nominations and international recognition. We should mention our Elegance of Colours Show Garden which won the International Flora Expo Award in Shanghai! Each award has played a vital role in our journey, filling us with pride and gratitude and motivating us to continue excelling in this field.
5. Awards and Recognition
Image: Planted table with an aquaponics system, designed by Nilufer Danis Studio
Are there any emerging trends or innovations that you are particularly excited about?
Absolutely and I'm genuinely so excited to see how some trends will change our already fast-paced industry!
First of all, I think now more than ever we see a prioritisation for sustainability through eco-friendly materials and water conservation techniques.
Another noteworthy trend will be the integration of technology, with new features like augmented and virtual reality, particularly when it comes to presenting design concepts. I also love seeing the increased focus on biophilic design, and the incorporation of nature into urban spaces for enhanced well-being.
Not to mention that the industry is currently also addressing climate challenges with designs that can handle extreme weather. There are so many more trends that I’d love to discuss, but we’ll save them for a dedicated journal entry, so make sure you’re all subscribed to our mailing list!
6. Advice for Aspiring Designers
What advice do you have for aspiring landscape architects and garden designers based on your own experiences and growth with the studio?
Yes, firstly, I would invest in a few business trainings to establish a clear vision for the future of the company and ensure its long-term sustainability. A well-defined brand and a solid marketing plan can attract clients and differentiate your company from competitors.
Secondly, I would pay more attention to networking, as it can really open doors to partnerships and new opportunities.
Lastly, I'd advise aspiring designers to commit to continuous improvement. In this industry, there is always something new to be learned, so being open to embracing fresh ideas, staying curious, and adapting to evolving trends is crucial. Additionally, be passionate about your work - because at the end of the day, loving what you do will drive your creativity and keep you motivated through the ups and downs of your journey!