Neil Porter

Founding Partner

Since co-founding Gustafson Porter + Bowman in 1997, Neil has led the practice’s defining projects worldwide, whilst championing the discipline of landscape architecture.

Neil is passionate about visiting sites to understand the unique historical, cultural, socioeconomic, geographical and botanical influences, as well as the specific requirements of clients and users. It is this depth of engagement which inspires Gustafson Porter + Bowman’s work.

Neil’s key projects include: the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, Hyde Park, London; Oxford North Landscape Masterplan, Oxford; the Garden of Forgiveness, Beirut; Bay East, Singapore; Mezyad Desert Park, Abu Dhabi; Chelsea Barracks and the UK Holocaust Memorial & Learning Centre, London. His designs for the HM Treasury Courtyards and New Ludgate in London; Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam and Old Market Square, Nottingham have received many prestigious awards. In 2008 Gustafson Porter + Bowman designed the first ever landscape installation at the 11th Architecture Biennale in Venice.

Neil studied architecture at Newcastle University and the Architectural Association in London, graduating in 1983 with a diploma with honours. He subsequently tutored until 1989, before working concurrently with a number of leading architectural practices and designers, including Alsop and Lyall, John Gould, and Ian Ritchie. It was in 1983, whilst working with Bernard Tschumi on Paris’ Parc de la Villette, that he met Kathryn Gustafson.

Among other projects, he is currently leading is the 25 year masterplan project for Highgate Cemetery, London; Renazca, a large mixed-use scheme in Madrid in collaboration with Diller Scofidio + Renfro and b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos and the ConfEx Park, Thessaloniki in collaboration with Sauerbruch Hutton Architects.