Maisie is a landscape architect, garden designer, writer, illustrator and activist. She specializes in the design of homes and landscapes that promote the ability of children to play freely outdoors within their communities.

She has written widely on the history of the adventure play movement and the culture of children’s outdoor play.

Formerly an associate director of Heatherwick Studio, she co-authored the best-selling book, Thomas Heatherwick: Making, which was published in 2012 by Thames & Hudson.

She also plays the accordion and has acted as artistic director of Battle of Ideas for the past two years, a role which saw her filling the Barbican with accordionists in celebration of this important festival.