James Weeks
Newport/Casnewydd,S.Wales
Summary
Graduate Landscape Architect (MA) with 1.5 years’ experience supporting the design and delivery of residential and commercial landscape projects from concept through to planning submission within multidisciplinary project teams.
Previous professional experience in client-facing operational roles in high-pressure international environments, involving stakeholder coordination, cross-team communication, and delivery of service outcomes.
Primary focus on design development within landscape architecture, with experience in concept and planting-led design work, alongside capability in supporting planning and technical delivery within multidisciplinary teams.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Landscape Architect
EDP (The Environmental Dimensional Partnership)
Cardiff, UK
11.2025 - Current
- Updated and refined landscape plans in CAD to reflect design changes, technical requirements, and client feedback
- Developed planting palettes and illustrative concept plans in Photoshop, supporting early-stage landscape design proposals for client drawing packs.
- Supported planning documentation including LVA, LEMP, and GI statements, incorporating site assessments and winter photography to produce accurate, well-structured submissions
- Developed detailed planting designs, specified palettes, and prepared construction details for residential, commercial, and public realm projects
- Coordinated, collaborated, and led design discussions with clients, multi-agency stakeholders, and multi-disciplinary teams to align proposals with project objectives
- Performed site work and snagging, troubleshooting issues and proposing adjustments to planting layouts, palettes, or technical details
- Revised CAD plans following design and technical amendments from senior designers, maintaining accuracy, consistency, and compliance with project requirements
- Proactively learned new software and workflows to support project delivery, improve efficiency, and enhance design outputs
- Reviewed and marked up drawings from clients and project consultants, identifying queries and coordination issues to support multidisciplinary design development.
Venue Management Coordinator
The Open University
Cardiff
04.2019 - 11.2025
- Coordinated project managers, stakeholders, and vendors across multiple departments, implementing standardised processes and live communication tools to improve efficiency.
- Negotiated vendor agreements and optimised service delivery, contributing to the department’s first under-budget exam period.
- Conducted on-site assessments and occupier-style surveys, gathering feedback and inventorying assets to inform operational improvements, producing visual briefing packs that reduced negative feedback by 85%.
Client-Facing, Operational & Leadership Roles
Cruise Ships and Hotels
international
01.2010 - 04.2019
- Delivered high-pressure client-focused service, responding to guest feedback onboard cruise ships and hotels (including Marriott International, Carnival Cruise Corporation, The Four Seasons and Holland America Line) in real time and implementing practical solutions to improve the experience.
- As a hotel manager, analysed operational feedback both in real time and post-stay, developing improvements to processes and service delivery.
- Coordinated multidisciplinary teams and complex logistics across vessels and hotel sites, building strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills.
- Supervised and led cross-department teams, optimising communication, workflows, budgets, and service quality amidst the fast-paced, dynamic nature of cruise operations and unpredictable operational challenges.
- Developed evidence led improvements through careful observation and feedback analysis, transferable to occupier surveys and landscape project consultation.
Education
MLA - Landscape Architecture (Conversion)
Birmingham City University
Birmingham08.2024
Bachelor's of Science - Environment and Society
Open University
Wales07.2022
Skills
Software
- AutoCAD (plans, XRefs, layouts, drawing setup)
- Adobe Photoshop (visualisations, diagrams, graphics)
- Adobe InDesign (presentation layouts)
- Keyscape (planting overlays)
- QGIS (basic spatial mapping)
- Additional software: Revit, Illustrator, Vectorworks (familiarity)
Landscape Skills
- Planting design and palette development
- Illustrative Landscape Plans
- General arrangement plans and landscape layouts
- Construction detailing support
- Landscape planning documentation (LVA, LEMP, GI)
- Site surveys and snagging
- Concept development
Professional Skills
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Client liaison and design discussions
- Project coordination
- Communication and teamwork
Timeline
Graduate Landscape Architect
EDP (The Environmental Dimensional Partnership)
11.2025 - Current
Venue Management Coordinator
The Open University
04.2019 - 11.2025
Client-Facing, Operational & Leadership Roles
Cruise Ships and Hotels
01.2010 - 04.2019
MLA - Landscape Architecture (Conversion)
Birmingham City University
Bachelor's of Science - Environment and Society
Open University