MBS (Marcus Barnett Studio)
An award-winning landscape architecture and design studio working across the UK and internationally, designing timeless landscapes for exceptional places.
MBS design large-scale gardens and landscapes where architectural structure and naturalistic planting combine to create environments that feel timeless and deeply rooted in their setting.
About Us
We are a landscape architecture and garden design practice founded in 2004. Based in the UK and working internationally, the studio specialises in the design of private estates, large country gardens and landscapes for prestigious hotels and resorts.The studio’s work is characterised by a balance of strong architectural structure and richly layered planting. Each project is developed through a careful response to client brief, site, history and long-term character.MBS has received numerous industry accolades, including multiple RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals, and is recognised in House & Garden’s and CountryLife's Top 50 Garden Designers.
What sets us apart?
We create landscapes of enduring clarity and beauty for private estates and large country gardens, as well as vineyards, villas, masterplans and hotels. Our work is defined by a distinctive balance of architectural precision and naturalistic planting, shaping landscapes that feel both composed and deeply connected to their setting. Each project begins with a rigorous understanding of place, including its landform, ecology, history and architecture. This allows us to craft landscapes that feel inevitable, as though they have always belonged.What distinguishes the studio is the seamless integration of design vision, horticultural knowledge and highly attentive client service. We work closely with a large number of discerning clients, guiding projects from early concept through to completion. The result is landscapes that are visually striking yet richly layered, ecologically thoughtful and designed to mature with grace over time.
Berkshire Lodge
Berkshire Lodge presented the opportunity to reshape a garden with challenging topography into a series of carefully composed spaces that feel both structured and immersed in their woodland setting.The design strengthens the relationship between the garden and its wider landscape while creating functional and beautiful spaces for the clients.
Cotswold Mill
Following the renovation of a historic Cotswold mill and the addition of a new annexed barn, the landscape design was conceived to link the old and new buildings and unify previously disparate gardens, spaces and paddocks.A central courtyard garden features a snaking rill through the lawn, surrounded by lush perennial planting and multi-stem trees, creating a sheltered and immersive space for relaxation and entertaining.
Wiltshire Villa
Large formal spaces were central to the design of this new-build Palladian style house.A formal lawn bordered by clipped beech hedges and cubes, combined with perennial planting, creates a strong architectural framework that draws the eye towards a mature cedar tree at the far end of the garden.
Cotswold Manor
A cascading water rill bisects a chequerboard matrix of paths and planting, drawing the eye towards the tree-lined horizon beyond. Within the criss-crossing paths, a series of seating and entertaining areas are revealed, each accompanied by the soft sound of moving water.The garden creates a structured yet immersive landscape that frames long views across the surrounding countryside.
Cotswold Farm
Designed for a contemporary farmhouse set within the Cotswold countryside, the garden balances strong structure with softer rural influences.Strength through the architectural form of bold hedgerows and punctuations of topiary is subtly combined with soft perennial planting which surrounds tranquil spaces for relaxation, while a contemporary water feature leads from a pergola-enclosed dining area out towards the distant countryside.
Hampshire Hall
Centred around a beautiful and substantial country house set within extensive parkland, the landscape establishes a series of formal garden spaces that respond to the scale and architecture of the building.Structured lawns, terraces and carefully arranged planting create clear views from the house, while layered planting and mature trees provide depth and seasonal interest across the garden.
Gloucestershire Park
The landscape at Gloucestershire Park combines contemporary design with vernacular tradition to create a finely crafted setting for the house. Deep borders of select perennials and grasses soften the hard landscape, while multi-stem trees introduce height and enclosure.Beyond the garden, avenues of mature native trees lead the eye towards distant church spires and surrounding parkland.
Kent House
Situated within the Kent countryside, the garden was designed to create a calm and immersive landscape defined by naturalistic planting.A base palette of grasses is blended with clouds of umbellifers and reaching spires to provide both harmony and contrast in form. The ‘meadow mix’ forms a loose overlay of repeated planting that weaves through the garden, creating a journey of meandering mown pathways out into the wider landscape.
The OWO by Raffles
The OWO by Raffles is the transformation of London’s historic Old War Office into a new luxury hotel & private residences. The historical profile of this iconic building provides the foundation for its new life as both Raffles London and the OWO Residences.A series of gardens, courtyards and roof terraces punctuate the building throughout, both echoing the architecture of the historic setting, while others introduce contemporary design.
Oxfordshire Barn
Set within a vast Oxfordshire landscape, this contemporary barn was built on a previously undeveloped site with no existing garden.The design establishes a clear framework of paths, lawns and planting that connects the house to the surrounding countryside. Structured geometrical beds close to the house softens into more naturalistic planting, creating a beautiful transition into the surrounding landscape.
Meet Our Team
MBS is led by Marcus Barnett and Louisa Pope and supported by a talented team of landscape architects, designers and planting specialists.
James Brisco
James Brisco
James studied Landscape Architecture at Sheffield University and Urban Design at the Bartlett. Before joining Marcus Barnett Studio in 2025, he worked at leading practices including Bradley-Hole Schoenaich. His work spans private gardens, estates and public realm, with a focus on context and place.
Marcus Barnett
Marcus Barnett
Marcus Barnett graduated with Distinction from the Inchbald School of Garden Design after serving as an Army officer in the Scots Guards. His first Chelsea Flower Show garden won Gold and Best in Category. He has since won multiple RHS Chelsea Gold Medals and founded MBS in 2004.
Martha Ellemann
Martha Ellemann
Martha brings international experience, organisational clarity and strong communication skills to MBS. A Politics and French graduate from Edinburgh, she has worked across France, La Réunion and the UK. She now oversees studio operations and supports marketing, ensuring clarity and consistency.
Louisa Pope
Louisa Pope
Louisa brings strategic leadership and creative insight as Managing Director. With a background in estate management and consultancy, she joined Marcus Barnett Studio in 2010 and leads the delivery of large country estates and private gardens from concept to completion.
Lead Designer
Lead Designer
Katie studied Landscape Architecture at the University of Edinburgh, completing an MSc and winning the department’s dissertation prize. With experience at London-based practices and time studying in Australia, she brings creativity and a strong understanding of landscape character and client vision.
Alice Salvetti
Alice Salvetti
Alice studied architecture in Florence, where her Master’s research explored the relationship between architecture and landscape. After working in a garden design studio in Italy, she gained UK experience in landscape design and construction, combining design sensitivity with strong site knowledge.
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