Their focus is "tailored design that enhances the environment" with a focus on design and planning. They have a diverse portfolio ranging from well being to schools and public realm.
I think their use of graphics is simplistic but unique as it seems a lot of their rendering is from twin motion with whited out characters. For me this does not reflect the application of projects and can be misleading, I believe it is critical to have the people in renderings to reflect the context of the site not only to reflect the population but also to empower existing ethnic groups that the space is for them too.
One of their designs is Clarence fountain on Boots corner in Cheltenham, objectively it is a successful furnitechture as people constantly use it come rain or shine and it is utilised by a diversity of people (from my own personal witnessing). However, subjectively I disliked the use of a laser cut symbol of a wheel chair user in the cladding of the seating, which supposedly is to indicate the seating area for people with wheel chairs. In actual fact people with buggies use it more often and those with additional, physical needs don't use it at all, it is in my opinion that this was an unnecessary detail that is quite obtrusive. We now have communities with a range of disabilities hidden and obvious, a sign is not appropriate to dictate who should sit where, rather it should be a right offered to individuals in which a sign is not necessary for this.
Overall Ares have a simple but stern outlook on landscape architecture in which they do not seem to derive from this, this is admirable. I do not agree with all of their design choices but this does not deter from the fact that they look (and from talking to two of the employees) seem like a down to earth practise.
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