A new partnership at landscape architecture firm, Prescott Associates, has seen the company take a new direction into sustainable building and architectural services.

The change in direction will allow the company to produce buildings fully integrated with landscaped space.

Prescott Associates is a landscape and garden design practice based in the island.

Established in 1983 by Steve and Jane Prescott, the pair won three medals at Chelsea Flower Show, along with undertaking many high-profile commissions in Liverpool, where the original practice was based.

The couple finally put down roots on the Isle of Man in 1991 and were behind some of the island’s biggest government, community and private landscape gardening projects.

Sadly Steve died in 2017 after a brave battle with cancer, which meant that Jane had some big decisions to make about the future of the business.

She said: ’Having to put aside all the plans and hopes for the future that Steve and I had has been immensely difficult.

’I knew though that I needed to keep busy and move forward with a sense of purpose, which is exactly what Steve would have wanted.

’Doing so alone was going to be challenging though.’

Help came from Sam Styles, an architectural technologist who had worked as a freelance designer for Prescott Associates for a couple of years, who agreed to join the business as a director.

Sam had studied architectural conservation at Derby University and worked as part of the technical conservation team at Hampton Court Palace. Combining Sam’s skills in conservation and architectural design with Jane’s extensive plant knowledge has given the company a new lease of life.

With a new focus on sustainable buildings and regeneration, suddenly the future is starting to look rosier for Prescott Associates.

Jane said: ’Sam brings new elements to the business with his architectural skills and flair for design.

’It has allowed us to broaden the business into architectural services for domestic dwellings which harmonise with their outdoor spaces.’

Sam said: ’It is wonderful to be working with Jane as her knowledge of plants is incredible. We are both passionate about sustainable buildings and it is good to work together on landscape projects, including Peel Regeneration, the Year of Our Island Garden at St John’s and now the Jurby Initiative.’

Jane added: ’Designing sustainable spaces for the community and for businesses on the island is an area that has grown organically for us.

’It’s our new mantra and an exciting way to keep the business moving forward.’

Jane has also developed her interest in growing and using plants for herbal medicine. She has given numerous talks on the healing power of plants and works closely with Manx Wildlife Trust.