At Austin Design Works, being a B Corp isn’t something we talk about once a year. It shapes how we think, how we design, and how we show up, both in our projects and in our community. This month, alongside sharing our latest Impact Report, our team will be marking the occasion with a litter pick at Minchinhampton Rugby Club on 4th March. It may seem like a small gesture, but it reflects something important to us: caring for place starts locally.

We are part of the first cohort of 24 practices from around the country, to join together in Stroud, Gloucestershire at the inspiring Long Table  to share ideas, stories and inspiration about how to grow a quiet self-build movement.  Read on to find out what LIVEDIN is all about.

In recent years, the way we think about buildings has undergone a profound shift. No longer are homes and workplaces just buildings, at most judged for their appearance or aesthetics or perhaps their energy performance.

The architecture of an estate is its heartbeat. Telling the story of its past while shaping the experience of its present, and its future. Historic houses, listed buildings and period structures are full of authenticity and character and there is something of a quiet renaissance unfolding in which these buildings are being thoughtfully revived and restored into luxurious contemporary homes.

Building your dream home, or even a single transformative space, such as an extension or loft conversion is one of life’s most rewarding journeys. It is tempting when creating a new space to focus on the excitement of the layout and the shiny finishes but, the first foundation to lay should be your budget – a clear, realistic and strategic plan of the build and how it will be financed.

In the past year, we have volunteered time to support two gardens that are important to the Nailsworth community - Jubilee Garden and Mortimer Gardens. Both projects are about taking a sensitive and sustainable approach to placemaking, encouraging community engagement, improving biodiversity, and creating spaces that respond to the needs of both people and nature.

The landscape of your estate and grounds is far more than a backdrop – it is a reflection of character, heritage and style. Long regarded as a mark of distinction, telling a story of the place and its inhabitants - today, our surroundings hold even greater meaning in a world that moves ever faster. They offer a sanctuary, providing wellbeing and inspiration and a connection with nature and others.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 was a landmark moment for Austin Design Works. After Rachael Austin’s design was selected by the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers (SGLD) for their trade stand, we embarked on a journey that would challenge, inspire, and ultimately celebrate everything we love about garden and landscape design. Now that the dust (and soil) has settled, we’re reflecting on what this extraordinary experience meant to us - and how it felt to be awarded an incredible four-star award by the RHS.

As the seasons shift, we can see Spring transforming our gardens. Trees and foliage are bursting into life, reshaping your views and creating new pockets of shade and shelter. Find out how this natural transition can reveal opportunities for reimagining your garden.

We are thrilled to announce that Rachael Austin, co-founder of Austin Design Works and an award-winning garden designer, has won the competition to design the Society of Garden Designers’ (SGD) trade stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025!

As a B Corporation, specialising in sustainable development, we were delighted to visit Elderberry Walk in Bristol earlier this month.

A recent visit to specialist Old Court Nurseries & The Picton Garden inspired Rachael's latest blog.

Autumn is the time of year when many gardeners move, divide, add and remove plants to get the garden ready for the year ahead. Here, our landscape architect and garden designer Rachael Emous-Austin shares some favourite plant combinations to get you feeling inspired.

Most people working with an architect for the first time will encounter a whole new set of jargon being used. Here are some of the most common terms and their meanings.

Whether it’s relaxing in a hammock or gathering friends around a fire pit, the childhood feelings of magic and play in the garden are equally important for adults. But how can we bring an element of play into our gardens while maintaining the feel of a grown-up space?

Find out which plants are best for your gravel garden.

Many people know that B Corps are businesses that are working to make a positive impact, both socially and environmentally. But you might be wondering what it means to be a B Corp certified architect. Here’s a handy guide.

If you have a sloping garden, the thought of making the garden into a beautiful user-friendly space can feel daunting. Here are some ideas to make you excited about designing your sloping garden!

Extensive renovation work on this 1930s Edwardian-style house is well underway and this week Matt visited to check on progress. The house is being extensively refurbished to create a comfortable and spacious home for the family.

Being certified as a B Corporation has made us focus on how we interact with and support our local communities. As part of this commitment, Carole, our practice administrator, went along to Fair Shares in Gloucester to see how we, as a team, could help with the various projects that they run there.