Adrian Fisher - the most famous designer in the world of labyrinths

Adrian Fisher is the world's leading designer of labyrinths, having created more than 700 similar designs in 32 countries since 1979.

"I really like my work," says the 65-year-old master, "It's like I'm a big kid and I create things that people can play during the day."

In his studio in Dorset, in the south-west of England, Mr. Fischer spent the last 38 years designing mazes in a variety of forms, from classical buildings to huge azure and mirrored, full of special effects.

His works are presented as tiny labyrinths, and high buildings. Take at least the high tower-labyrinth Al-Rostamani, which was completed in Dubai in 2011.

What determined the choice of profession?

Mr. Fischer began to make labyrinths as a child. He and his father built one in their garden just for fun, but no one would ever have thought that this fascination would turn into a career.

In his youth, Fisher worked as an accountant, designing labyrinths as a hobby. A lucky chance he received at the age of 27, when he happened to meet with the late Lady Elizabeth Brunner. She said she wants a labyrinth to be built in her home in Grace Court in Oxfordshire, which she donated to the National Trust.

Mr. Fischer designed and built the famous "lawn-labyrinth" with another labyrinth designer Randall Koate. From that moment on, he never looked back. He forever left the world of accounting.

In his architectural enterprise Adrian Fisher Design four permanent employees are employed. Also 15 more people work, including illustrators, designers and builders.

As Fisher points out, over the past decade, modern technologies and the Internet have made it easier for him. "I work with animators in Spain and designers in Asia, and things like Skype allow you to feel that you are with these people. It really allowed me to access world markets, including the US, and Asian cities like Calcutta, Shanghai and Yokohama, "says the architect. - This gives flexibility in developing production methods, as well as setting time frames in accordance with each project. In addition, local production minimizes import duties in our main markets. "

The cost of the labyrinth

The cost of the labyrinths is very different. A simple labyrinth can be ordered for as little as £ 100, but the biggest projects will cost 1 million pounds.

In addition to deep pockets, patience is also required, there are labyrinths, the construction of which can take years.

One such project is the "Murray Star Labyrinth" at the Scone Palace in Scotland. It is made of beech trees. It took seven whole years to reach the required height.

About 90% of Mr. Fischer's business abroad, and he says that until now the decision of the UK to leave the EU has had a beneficial effect on his company.

Competition

As for the competitors, Mr. Fischer says that he has about twenty of them. But many of them are focused on one type of buildings, and the company of Mr. Fisher makes almost all the mazes.

Mr. Fischer also set a world record thanks to the world's largest corn maze at least six times.

Earlier this year, his "Labyrinth of Butterflies" in Ningbo (China) set a world record. It became the largest permanent hedge labyrinth with a total area of 33,565 square meters. And a total path length of 8.38 km.

In addition, he wrote 12 books on labyrinths and makes both the afternoon talks on this issue, and talks with designers.

Expert evaluation

Designer-expert Anya Horoshinska notes that Mr. Fischer has raised the performance of the labyrinths to a completely new level.

The company Adrian Fisher Design catches all the nuances of this business and meets the requirements of the consumer. She creates projects that have a big resonance, "she says. - We will always have competition with new computer games, etc., but nothing compares to the solution of this riddle. In addition, this is an experience of communication, because a group of people should make a choice and cooperate. "

But if someone gets lost in the maze and panics, Mr. Fisher can help. When his labyrinth of yew tree opened in Leeds Castle in Kent in 1988, he headed the royal party, including accompanying Princess Alexandra (the Queen's cousin) when she could not find a way out.

"Unfortunately, after my previous visit, the head gardener closed the gap in one place," says Fischer. "With such confidence, I led them into a labyrinth, but then I got stuck." Fortunately, I still found a way out. Somehow I managed to show my composure and say that it was quite a difficult task, before which even the famous designer of labyrinths can pass. "