I live to design and strive to be pushing the limits of the existing site – I project each client’s unique personality into every aspect of design and transform the space into their own personal oasis.

Our designs shape the environment in so many ways - from managing the natural to recreating the wild. With such a light touch we take you from the human to the divine.

Possibilities and What-if’s

The designer in me is always looking towards the possibilities and what-ifs. My medium and focus may evolve over time - but the actual process makes me love design and what I do.

I’ve learned that the landscape can contain all one’s activities or fantasies and become places of spiritual contact.

The site can tell you where to define little rooms, where the micro climates are… It’s a way of thinking: the site gives you the constraints and opportunities for design.

Creating "rooms" within the landscape...

My early perceptions of gardens as rooms is a concept that I still feel is the essence of the landscape. I design gardens with defined spaces which mirror the rooms of a house. The floor is the base plan... lawn is carpet... hedges, shrubs, fences and stone walls create corridors and walls... changes of grade are stairs... framed views are windows... trees, trellises and umbrellas are the ceiling... Furniture, sculpture and lighting are all included as the elements that give the space an animated use.

Elemental Pressure

What keeps the design process moving is the awareness of multi-dimensional pressures being exerted into the solution/design. What is the overall concept? What elements are part of this space? Who should have the loudest voice? Which geometry is the overriding force? As factors such as wall lights, lighting, manholes, planting, seating requirements bend to each other the design evolves through a sequence of connected permutations. The trace overlays tell the story of how loudly the voices speak, how immutable the pressures. The winning solution reflects either stasis – balancing of forces – or the surprise of a new birth, forced into being from unresolved conflicts.

Given the transient nature of light, a vignette lasts at the most 10 to 15 minutes, and then it is gone. It makes what I see and understand all the more precious. In my work I just borrow the pieces and try to rearrange them to form new compositions for the spirit. My goal is for my clients to have a spiritual gift each time they are aware of their surroundings.

In design, I am trying to create an environment with vignettes in series, so that as one moves through the space or views it from a specific vantage point, these vistas unfold and drawn one through space.

As I find myself here today, I see all the paths I took, the choices I made, and I am grateful for each one of them. Without the combination of the science and the arts education, I would have no understanding of the components of the landscape that make up my palette. I am not afraid of engineering or science. It makes it possible to use the topography as a part of my sculpture of the landscape. Painting taught me color. Ceramics taught me about the circle. Environmental biology gave me an understanding of the systems and inter connectivity that is so critical to sustainable design. Chinese and Japanese literature turned out to offer insight into Asian souls as expressed in art, architecture, gardens, and poetry.

It's always nice to hear from a satisfied client -
"Kate's ability, foresight, and talent transformed our properties not only into picturesque landscapes, but they look as if they have been this way for generations. One of my favorite things to do with Kate early in a project before any drawings are made, is to simply walk the property with her as she gets inspired and begins to suggest ideas. She walks and talks while constantly creating, designing, and describing the most beautiful, incredible, and creative vision that are topped only by the finished project itself. She is not only a gifted landscape architect, but she is also a truly gifted artist."

What we do is a miracle...

Here we are the entire property has been virtually stripped; it's mountains of shale and you can't even see the water. There are five backhoes on the site just sitting there waiting and ready to go... The pit looks like a meteor landed on the property then boom!


Fruition, beautiful landscapes, ground covers, habitats for wildlife - I use my imagination, walking this future landscape. I'm in the creative mode, and once you get in the design groove you don't want to stop. Honestly, when I'm in that place nothing else is there. I just listen to the site. Each person gets there in their own way, there is a different trigger for each of our creative spots and my advice is to stay in that design groove as long as you can.

Calculations

I calculated that if I work 2,000 hours a year, spending 60% in design, and averaged 5 'rips' an hour, over the course of my career, including grad school, I have done approximately 204,000 rips totaling 3,672,000 inches of trace.

Tools of the Trade

Bright yellow trace, Pentel Sign pens, back Sharpie extra fine, red, black and blue Flair pens, drafting dots and a black plastic scale - these are the tools of my trade.

Years ago, I stopped needing the parallel ruler, although I still have it attached to my drawing board. No more plastic triangles, occasional use of a circle template, the same one I had in school. I can freehand draw an almost perfect circle and parallel curving lines.

I have perfected the art of ripping a sheet of trace off the roll using my triangle scale without shifting the layers beneath. Each trace layer represents the sequence of my thinking - as I create, I rework what is beneath, a fluid and connected process. The trace layers represent the preservation of the process, saving the design as layers until a final plan has emerged.

Natures inspirations...

Part of what inspires me most while creating landscapes is my constant interaction with nature, this is what drove me into such a career. Inspirational beauty is all around us and bringing it to life is my passion.

Natures Gift...

I live my life with a simple ethic... when you give to Nature, it gives back to you. It is a simple rule and one I hold very close to my everyday practice.

I consider my design work and interaction with clients as a way to teach people about Nature. In a way, I do a small part to help restore beauty to the land and help bring Nature back in balance through the landscapes I design.

Developing your Natural Environment

Whenever I start a new project I always ask the client: "What is most important? How do you envision yourself (or family) in this space?" I'm there to develop the natural environment to compliment their personal living style... To create rooms and livability outside the house.

Like the garden, there is no set time or milepost that indicates one is complete. We keep evolving.

Finding the Heart and Soul of your Land

Your home - and its land - is where the heart is. Essential to the comfort and beauty of your home, your outdoor living space should both welcome you home upon return and beckon you outdoors no matter the season.

Every day is a new day...

And every second in the garden is a fresh gift. The real thrill for me is always when my heart is touched by the spirit and magic of the land. And it is in the listening that I have learned my land lessons.


It is said that "working in the garden means working hand in hand with God." Perhaps this is what ultimately appealed to me and drew me to landscape architecture.

I love the dynamic qualities of the landscape, how it is never ever the same from moment to moment, therefore making each moment a gift waiting to be opened. I have always been inspired through the natural environment, its power, majesty and beauty. We are all drawn to nature on one level or another and respond positively to natural beauty. I am truly blessed to work my passion and be passionate about my work.