CHAOS Farm Horticulturalist Highly Commended at National Garden Design Awards

A horticulturalist at Cornwall’s CHAOS Farm has been highly commended at one of the UK’s leading garden and landscape design awards.

Sally Robinson was named as a finalist in the Student Category of the Society of Garden Landscape Design Awards and went on to receive a Highly Commended recognition for her submission.

National Recognition for Cornwall Talent

Sally, a graduate of the BSc Garden and Landscape Design programme at Cornwall College University Centre, based at the Eden Project, entered her honours project into the awards.

Her concept, titled Nurture, was a landscaped fertility clinic planned for rural north Cornwall. The design integrated planting, water and carefully considered spatial arrangements to create what she described as a calm and supportive setting.

“I felt very proud to have been nominated,” said Sally. “I spent a long time working on my honours project and felt very passionate about it, so it was nice to get some recognition for that. It felt really exciting and I was grateful for everyone’s support.

“It’s the projects where there are opportunities to improve biodiversity or to create situations where people can really get the most out of being outdoors that inspire me the most.

“I wanted to create a garden where everything within it would allow for a more relaxed experience from the moment that people arrived. Having spaces within the garden set up for activities such as yoga and meditation can create a less stressful environment.

“There were some studies that showed when people took part in a 12-week programme with activities like yoga and meditation they had double the amount of success.”

📷Sally with partner Charles at SGLD Awards - Credit: CHAOS Digital

A Design Focused on Wellbeing

At the centre of the scheme was a reflective pool and arched structure, using water and form as symbolic references to fertility, optimism and new beginnings.

Woodland planting, gentle pathways and quiet activity spaces were included to support reflection, movement and outdoor wellbeing, while also increasing the site’s ecological value.

Alongside her award recognition, Sally has also helped shape new garden projects across various CHAOS sites. This includes recent designs for a sensory garden and a wildlife pond.

Her daily work at CHAOS Farm includes propagating and tending vegetables in a market garden and helping to co-ordinate volunteer activities that support individuals benefiting from horticultural therapy.

‘The Oscars of the Sector’

Rich Hardy, Head Grower at CHAOS Farm, said: “We were super stoked to have Sally going up to the awards in London based on all the studies she’d done over the past few years. It was really nice to see time and energy put into studying and learning in Cornwall being rewarded. To see her go off to these incredible awards in this sector was just the cherry on top of the cake for us.

“These awards really are the Oscars of the sector. All the big names in garden design and landscape architecture were there, so Sally had some great opportunities to talk about her work, her project and what she’s doing for us at CHAOS.

“This sector is growing. Since the pandemic, more people have discovered what their gardens can do for their physical and mental health.

“It’s natural that we’re now seeing more projects in larger public spaces in the NHS, care homes and hospices where nature can play a part in recovery, and CHAOS is really well placed to pioneer these kinds of projects in Cornwall.”

The Society of Garden Landscape Design Awards celebrate excellence across the profession, with student categories recognising emerging designers whose work shows originality, quality and social relevance.

Judging was overseen by a panel chaired by Richard Sneesby, formerly leader of the Garden Design degree at Falmouth University. Winners were unveiled during a ceremony at The Landmark London on Friday 6th February 2026.

For more information about the awards, visit the Society of Garden Landscape Design website.

📷Credit: CHAOS Digital