2024
At Raby Castle, the long-anticipated transformation of the Walled Garden is complete. Luciano’s vision brings life to the historic garden, weaving together the three distinct compartments to give new purpose to each space.
In Tuscany, boutique hotel Casa Newton opens its doors to guests. At the heart of the garden, a formal parterre evokes the spirit of the classical Italian garden, taking inspiration from nearby examples at the Horti Leonini in San Quirico d’Orcia and at La Foce.
2023
A first for the studio; the opportunity to design a runway backdrop for the Hermès SS24 show at the Garde Républicaine in Paris. Inspired by the golden fields of late-summer Tuscany, the meadow-like setting evokes pastoral calm. Deschampsia, Miscanthus, Gaura, Cosmos, and textured seed heads create an immersive landscape that reflects the beauty and craftsmanship of the Hermès collection.
2022
Planting begins at Raby Castle – an exciting milestone since the project’s first visit in 2017. Starting in the East Garden, earthworks form the new amphitheatre overlooking the castle. Stone walls, built from original materials reclaimed on-site, retain the terrace in the upper garden, while planting beds are laid out within the woodland areas and flower garden.
2021
A new chapter begins in the studio’s ongoing engagement with the Tuscan Garden. Working on a neighbouring site and for the same clients, a design evolves for the gardens of an intimate hotel, situated on a hilltop in the Val d’Orcia.
2020
Potter’s House becomes a place of refuge for Luciano during the global pandemic. With travel restricted and the artist residency programme temporarily suspended, tending its small garden provides purpose and inspiration. Whilst working in isolation, dreams of a larger collaborative project materialise and the concept of The Field starts to take shape.
Construction of The Field’s walls begins in spring, with the first phase of planting scheduled for the autumn.
2019
Luciano is invited to reimagine the Piazza Vecchia in Bergamo, as part of the major Italian landscape event “I Maestri del Pasesaggio”. The temporary installation, spanning eighteen days, saw an intervention of soft canopies set amongst organic islands of planting, bringing an ever changing play of light to the architecture and atmosphere of the familiar city square.
Design work is underway for the studio’s first public project; a five-acre Walled Garden at Raby Castle, in County Durham. The design builds on the surviving iconic elements of this historic garden, the ancient yew hedges and central circular pond.
2018
Work continues on large scale projects in Dallas and Formentera.
The landscape and climate of the Balearic Islands encourages exploration into a palette of plants that offer new potential for attention to combination, texture and colour.
2017
Completes the first Italian based project, close to Luciano’s birth place, in Tuscany.
Work begins at Potter’s House, the once home and studio of ceramicist Maria Antonia Carrio. Located in Son Servera, Mallorca, this space will be home to a fledgling residency programme, bringing together a dialogue of makers, with the aim of enriching the studio’s own creative thinking and approach to making gardens.
2016
In May 2016 Luciano’s second book, “The Art of Making Gardens” was published by Merrell. Investigating Giubbilei’s influences, the book reveals what it is about the world that inspires him and how that is manifested in the designs. Significant emphasis is paid to Luciano’s connection with Great Dixter, with specific reference to his gardens for the Chelsea Flower Show in 2014 and the Venice Biennale in 2015.
The same year, Luciano was awarded with Siena’s ‘Premio Mangia’, recognising those who have ‘achieved a clear international reputation through their work’ and in so doing, have represented Siena on the world stage.
2015
Creates an open-air exhibition at Venice Biennale, in collaboration with Yorkshire Sculpture Park, for the New York-based artist Ursula von Rydingsvard. Von Rydingsvard’s works were sited to integrate with the distinctive quality of light, canopy of pine and poplar trees, surrounding architecture and sea beyond.
2014
Awarded Best in Show and a gold medal by the Royal Horticultural Society for his third Laurent-Perrier Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. Collaborates with Artist Ursula von Rydingsvard.
2013
This new direction brings larger projects in the US working with perennial prairie seeding experts in the wilds of the midwest mountains.
2012
In search of a new direction, decides to seek out a mentor and to invest his time learning more about flowers. Starts work at Great Dixter, the iconic Arts & Crafts garden in East Sussex where Head Gardener Fergus Garrett gives him his own border to experiment within. This ongoing collaboration in a working garden has transformed Luciano’s vision and way of working.
2011
Collaborates with Japanese Artchitect Kengo Kuma and British sculptor Peter Randall-Page on his second garden for Laurent-Perrier at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which is awarded a gold medal.
Self publishes his second book “Nature and Human Intervention” about the project.
2010
His first book “The Gardens of Luciano Giubbilei” is published by Merrell. Travels extensively to Japan to oversee the production of Kengo Kuma’s bamboo pavilion, part of his garden at RHS Chelsea 2011. Gardens he has designed are again awarded Principal Awards for Best Use of Lighting and Best Residential Garden by the British Association of Landscape Industries.
2009
Luciano is invited to design his first garden for Laurent-Perrier at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show by Tom Stuart-Smith. The garden is the first time Luciano has worked with flowers and it is awarded a gold medal. The challenge of designing with colourful flowering perennials signals a new direction and a sense of renewal in Luciano’s work, seen also in a Moroccan garden featuring 14,000 grasses and 12,000 roses.
2008
Collaborates with British artist Nigel Hall RA on the two projects, continues to work in California on a private commission.
2007
Designs his first project in the US (New York Upper East Side overlooking Central Park) and visits California for a new commission. Gardens Luciano has designed are awarded the Supreme Award and Best Residential Garden by the British Association of Landscape Industries.
2006
Luciano designs a garden at Addison Road which wins the Best Residential Garden award from the British Association of Landscape Industries, the third time Luciano’s gardens have received this distinction. The garden, featuring an artwork by Keiichi Tahara, also wins a principal award for Best Use of Lighting.
2005
Designs his first furniture collection inspired by John Pawson.
2004
Designs Pelham Crescent in collaboration with fountaineer Andrew Ewing. The garden explores the concept of “Empty Space” through its careful composition. For the first time Luciano uses flowering, multi-stemmed, natural form trees, a new element in his designs.
2003
Meets artist Stephen Cox through his work on a garden in Kensington. This is Luciano’s first major collaboration with a significant artist and awakens his passion for art, a theme which soon becomes a key influence.
2002
Designs several gardens which were awarded Best Residential Garden by the British Association of Landscape Industries.
2001
Meets Willy Jansen of Atelier Vierkant and starts to use his pots for his spatial composition, a language he develops over the next few years.
2000
Designs his first garden outside the UK, in Geneva, for the company Unigestion SA.
1999
Designs a garden in The Boltons, London, for interior designer Kelly Hoppen. The garden was awarded The Principle Award – Best Residential Garden by the British Association of Landscape Industries.
1998 - 1997
Designs and completes Harcourt Terrace, the first real project where Luciano’s philosophy was enshrined in a garden. The garden was published internationally.
1996
Meets Giorgio Locatelli and starts to produce flower arrangements for his restaurant while developing his design practice.
1995
Graduates from The Inchbald School of Design in 1995 as Student of the Year.
Begins work as an assistant designer for Anthony Paul at the Black and White Cottage – starts to develop his own style and approach.
1994
Moves to London to study at the Inchbald School of Design.
1993
Comes to London to visit schools of Garden Design and meets with Andrew Wilson at the Inchbald School of Design.
1992
Visits Villa Gamberaia and meets Silvano, the head gardener, who gives him a book titled ‘GAMBERAIA’ with black and white images by Balthazar Korab. This becomes the most influential reference for Luciano’s early work.
1991
Moves to the countryside where he starts growing vegetables and cooking with them, sparking a deep interest in gardens as moments of communion.
1971
Luciano was born in Siena, Italy. He lived with his grandmother in the old town where the densely layered architecture and its quality of light had a strong influence on him.
