Paul Shirley Smith, Landscape architect and founder of Camlins, will be embarking on a cycling odyssey across the UK, to celebrate the practice becoming employee owned.
A director at Camlins landscape architects is preparing to cycle more than 1,500 miles across the UK and Ireland to mark the practice’s transition to employee ownership – and to raise vital funds for Parkinson’s UK.
The month-long journey, which begins on 22 August from Paul Shirley Smith’s home in mid-Wales, will see him visit 100 Camlins projects spanning four decades of the practice’s history.
The route takes in sites across Wales, Ireland, the North-east, the Midlands and London, before returning via the West Country and south Wales to Shrewsbury – home to Camlins’ studio since 2020.
The 100 Places cycling challenge is part personal odyssey, part professional reflection, and a celebration of the people and places that have shaped Camlins’ distinctive landscape-led design philosophy over the past 40 years.
“This year marks a huge milestone for us,” said Paul Shirley Smith. “Camlins is now 100% employee-owned and this journey is about marking that moment in a way that feels true to our values.
“It’s a chance to celebrate our legacy, connect with friends and collaborators old and new, and reflect on the long-term impact of the places we’ve helped shape.”
Camlins is a widely respected landscape architecture studio, with a portfolio that spans cultural, civic, residential and regeneration projects. The practice has its headquarters in Shropshire and is set to open its second studio in Birmingham in September.
During the trip Paul will be visiting a range of key legacy projects including Ancoats in Manchester and Donegall Quay in Belfast as well as a range of current projects including Coventry City Centre South, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and London’s Nine Elms, to name but a few.
The 100 Places project is also raising money for Parkinson’s UK, a cause close to Paul’s heart after his stepfather, Simon Brett, passed away last year following a long journey with the condition.
“Simon lived with Parkinson’s for 16 years,” said Paul. “He was a huge inspiration and a tireless supporter of the practice from its earliest days. If I can raise awareness and support for others going through that journey, it will make every mile worth it.”
Camlins became employee owned in October 2024, giving its team of landscape architects, designers and technicians collective ownership of the business. The move reflects the practice’s longstanding ethos of collaboration, creativity and shared responsibility.
The 100 Places project is supported by Hardscape, a longstanding supplier and collaborator of Camlins, which has provided materials for many of the projects on the route.
“Hardscape became an employee-owned organisation in 2022, so are delighted to be supporting Camlins in their celebration.” said Anthony Collins, Group Sales Director at Hardscape.
“Having spent 30 years collaborating with landscape architects, urban designers and local authorities on the supply of hard landscaping for inspirational schemes in thousands of locations across the UK, we’ll be joining in Paul in revisiting and celebrating our Camlins projects, and their lasting impact on the surrounding communities.”
To follow Paul’s journey, visit www.camlins.com/100places. Donations to Parkinson’s UK can be made via the fundraising page on the Camlins website.