Small Talk with landscape designer at Tierney Haines Architects – Nicola Haines

Landscape designer at Tierney Haines Architects – Nicola Haines

"Coupled with the climate crisis, AI poses an immense challenge for designers generally" - Nicola Haines talks about the greatest challenges facing the industry today

Horticulture

10 September 2026

In association with Gardenworld Nurseries

At Growtrade, we’re running an interview series titled ‘Small Talk’, where we talk to various influential members of Ireland’s horticulture trade.

This week’s conversation is with the landscape designer at Tierney Haines Architects – Nicola Haines

How did you first get involved in the horticulture sector?

I grew up in a small village within the leafy suburb of Surrey in the South east of England. My sister and I grew up with hens, ducks, geese, bees and all the home grown fruit and vegetables we could eat. It was an idyllic and wholesome childhood and obviously sowed an interest in growing although it definitely wasn’t obvious at the time!

It was only after moving to South West Brittany with my husband and two small children that an horticultural interest awakened in tending for a small potager of vegetables alongside our neighbours. Living in rural France taught us to slow down and enjoy seasonal treats.

What was one of the proudest moments in your career to date?

I have been fortunate to work on some wonderful gardens with clients who might not have been interested in plants and gardening before they had their own. Being contacted by former clients who have gone on to become passionate gardeners and custodians of their own small slice of the natural world makes me proud of the small part I played in awakening this passion.

What was one of the greatest challenges you’ve faced in your career to date?

Over the years, I have become more emboldened to design for both people and nature, but it can be hard to bring some clients along on the journey to make more sustainable choices. If a client asks me how to deter foxes from coming into their garden, I know I am not the right person for the job.

As designers we are well placed to influence better environmental choices on our own jobs, but it is hard as a single voice to have influence within the larger sector. I believe we can more easily make progress as part of a team where everyone plays to their strengths for the good of a common goal. As a member of an organisation like the GLDA we are stronger and have a voice to lobby for change within our industry.

Could you give us an example of a recent success you had in your work?

I am fortunate to be working with Fingal County Council Biodiversity team on their project to improve green spaces within existing housing estates for nature as well as for the residents. All newly designed installments will be implemented by the council and their value to wildlife monitored for a period of three to four years.

The net gain to biodiversity will be measured against the experience of the residents in maintaining them and the information gained will be used to inform other installations elsewhere in the county. It is refreshing and exciting to be working collaboratively with home owners, as well as such a proactive and energetic biodiversity team.

What are the greatest challenges facing the industry today?

As designers we are uniquely placed to influence best environmental practice within our projects and add environmental value to new and existing landscapes. Simply put, we have a responsibility to protect the environment for future generations. The climate crisis and decline of wildlife dictates that we need to be more vocal in advocating for nature.

Coupled with the climate crisis, AI poses an immense challenge for designers generally. How to make the best use of AI without losing our role in the process is a formidable challenge.

What are the greatest opportunities facing the industry today?

I am struggling to see AI as an opportunity, but we have had first hand experience in the office of using AI to create photo realistic images of designs and there is no doubt that it is incredible. We limit our use due to it’s immense power and water demands, but it is an amazing tool that can certainly be used to great effect. Owning the challenge and turning it into an opportunity will sort the winners from the losers, but I have concerns for people starting out in their career and what AI might mean for them.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career?

Talk to anyone in the industry that you come across, ask them the good and the bad. We are fortunate in Ireland to have a wealth of home grown expertise and knowledge and gardener’s by nature are a generous bunch. It’s important to be realistic about the challenges of making a living within the horticulture sector.

It’s a wonderful world to work in, but can be difficult to make a living and most of us need to work to keep the lights on. Joining a professional organisation like the GLDA as a friend or student member gives insight into the work people do within the sector. We hold CPD’s and ongoing training for our members that can prove invaluable for experienced designers as well as those just starting out.

What are your hopes for the future of Irish horticulture?

I would like to see more work and collaboration across the sector. We are stronger if we can find more opportunities to pull together.

Small Talk is produced in association with Gardenworld Nurseries, one of the country’s leading wholesale plant nurseries, specialising in high-quality specimen trees, hedging, shrubs, and perennials.

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