Meet Paul Hensey

The Landscape Engineer Who Is Revolutionising 3D Modelling With HEAP - An Unrivalled Online Resource Of Construction Details

Meeting Paul Hensey is an unforgettable experience. His fresh approach to garden design really does set the brain cells tingling with inspiration. Add to that the incredible set of tools he has created for use in both 2D and 3D garden design and it's clear that Paul is helping to shape the future of our industry.

We asked him some leading questions about his career, his products and his philosophy. 

Q: What inspired you to become a garden designer?

A: I trained and worked as an industrial designer engineer and the process of assembling materials and detailing your intent is the same for medical, military and consumer products as it is for gardens, there are rules – learn them. Whilst working as an industrial designer I was asked to design a garden and it changed my career.

Q: Where do you gain inspiration for your garden designs?

A: Rarely from existing gardens. I see more that is applicable to human movement through a space in theatre, hotel or retail spaces.

Q:  As your career has evolved how have you pivoted your business? Do you still design gardens?

A: No, I stopped designing gardens for clients in 2021. I work with other designers to support their construction detailing and as a course leader for the LCGD. 

Q: We would love to hear about the 3d modelling service you offer for other garden designers to upload into SketchUp and show specified products in situ.

3D image of a backed off paddlestone as available from the HEAP website

A: Heap was conceived as an online resource of construction details for designers to have access to and help them develop the detail for their own projects. The construction drawings are built as 3D assemblies allowing designers the ability to amend and adjust things to suit their own requirements.

- Why is this beneficial?

There are so many permutations for construction that we decided to allow designers the ability to create what they want from the parts that a contractor would actually buy and use.

- How many products have you now modelled in Heap?

The library is divided into two areas

1. Consists of basic (and not so basic) building materials. Designers can download and use them like digital Lego pieces. There are about 500 unique components, from steel edges, collections of bricks, pavers and garden lights to concrete blocks.

2. The 2d drawing library includes both 2D elevations and 3D views and building materials assembled into common garden features such as walls, paving, water features, pergolas. It's been a while since we last ran an audit, but there are +450 drawings. We add new 3D components and drawings every week and if a detail is not in the library members can request it. Often I’ll create these free of charge.

- How much does it cost garden designers to subscribe?

£279/yr for an individual.

- What are the detailing services that Heap offers?

Often designers have gardens or features that are unique, We undertake bespoke detailing from a simple step arrangement to +50 drawing sets for an entire garden.

Some examples of the 2D and 3D library materials available from Heap

Q: What advice would you offer to a garden designer just starting out?

A: Have as much of the business side of things established before you take on your first client:

e.g.

• What is your non-payment policy?
• How will you manage the accounts?
• What do I need to charge/ what will I charge?
• Have a business mentor 

Q: Are you part of any trade body organisation?

A: SGLD

I have reduced membership to trade bodies recently.

Q: What difference do you want to make that lasts beyond your lifetime when it comes to designing gardens?

A: I would like to hope that a lecture, tutorial, something I’ve written or demonstrated gives some enlightenment on how things can be joined and arranged. That there can be delight in the detail.

Q: How long have you been in practice? 

A: I’ve always been a designer and settled comfortably into outside spaces decades ago.

Paul's work in the landscape industry is second to none and we would urge you to visit his website to learn more about the services he offers. At the time of writing, he is on the cusp of launching an on-demand training resource for Sketchup users - something that will be immensely helpful to garden designers and to design and build landscapers alike. 

Visit the Heap Website