News

Design Workshop Honored with 2024 Denver Mayor’s Design Award

We are pleased to announce that we are a recipient of the 2024 Denver Mayor’s Design Awards for our work on the Boulevard One Parks located in the Lowry neighborhood in Denver. Boulevard One Parks is one of 14 honored projects throughout the city for excellence in architecture, exterior design, and place-making.

Design Workshop’s Jessica Garrow and Anna Laybourn Selected to Join American Institute of Certified Planners College of Fellows

We are pleased to announce that Jessica Garrow and Anna Laybourn were selected for induction into the 2024 American Institute of Certified Planners College of Fellows (FAICP). The highest honor the AICP bestows on members, FAICP are nominated and selected by their peers to recognize their outstanding contributions as a professional planner. Congratulations to these women for this impressive accomplishment!

Design Workshop Awarded Gold Level Healthy Workforce Designation

Design Workshop is proud to announce that Cigna Healthcare has selected the firm as a recipient of the 2023 Gold Level Healthy Workforce Designation. Acknowledging the firm for its unwavering commitment to employee well-being and innovative workplace practices, Design Workshop sets a new standard in fostering a healthy, vibrant work environment. This achievement underscores the firm's dedication to promoting holistic wellness and nurturing a culture of excellence for employees.

Design Workshop Appoints Jessica Garrow and Conners Ladner to its Board of Directors

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Conners Ladner and Jessica Garrow to the Design Workshop Board of Directors. With their proven expertise and creative vision, Ladner and Garrow are set to contribute valuable insights, further elevating Design Workshop's strategic direction.

Design Workshop Ranks 45th on ColoradoBiz Magazine's 2023 Top 200 Private Companies List

Exciting news! Design Workshop achieves a top-50 position on ColoradoBiz Magazine's Top 200 Private Companies list. We're grateful for the acknowledgment of our 2022 accomplishments and take pride in standing among Colorado's most distinguished companies.

Design Workshop Honored with Two ASLA National Awards

Design Workshop is pleased to announce that we received two awards in residential design this year from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) for our work on the Black Fox Ranch and Andesite Ridge projects.

Design Workshop Honored with Awards from the American Society of Landscape Architects Colorado Chapter

We are pleased to announce that Design Workshop has received multiple awards from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Colorado Chapter. Our projects were recognized in three categories including Residential, Analysis and Planning, and Research.

Interview with Jake Malishkin

Meet Jake Malishkin, Director of IT at Design Workshop. We spoke with Jake about aligning technological innovation with strategic business goals, his appreciation of Design Workshop’s culture, and the evolution of his career.

2023 Dr. Charles Fountain Internship Comes to a Close

Our 2023 Dr. Charles Fountain Interns impressed everyone with their analysis and planning of The Hive Park, the first dedicated public open space in Lewiston Woodville, North Carolina. Dive in to learn more about their work and collaboration with the community to design a healthy, safe green space.

Fast Company Recognizes Midtown District Project by Design Workshop With an Honorable Mention in its 2023 Innovation by Design Awards

Design Workshop’s Midtown District project in Houston, Texas was honored in Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards for 2023 in the Urban Design category. The Innovation by Design Awards honor the designers and businesses solving the most crucial problems of today and anticipating the pressing issues of tomorrow.

Interview with Ryan Williams

Meet Ryan Williams, Director of Marketing at Design Workshop. In our recent interview with him, Ryan talks about his career in the AEC industry, his passion for storytelling, and why Design Workshop is the right place for him.

Design Workshop Receives Best of Practice Award from The Architect’s Newspaper

Design Workshop is pleased to announce that it has been selected as the winner of the Landscape Architect - Southwest category in The Architect’s Newspaper (AN) 2023 Best of Practice Awards.

Patrick Quigley Honored with Illuminating Engineering Society’s Inaugural LA Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award

Patrick Quigley, a lighting design principal based in Los Angeles, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the IES SoCal 50th anniversary celebration.

Design Workshop Foundation Partners with Kinston Teens, Inc. and Northeast Houston Redevelopment Council for Inaugural Community Capacity Building Initiative

The Design Workshop Foundation is pleased to announce it will partner with Kinston Teens, Inc. in Kinston, North Carolina and the Northeast Houston Redevelopment Council, in Houston, Texas for its inaugural Community Capacity Building Initiative.

Design Workshop’s Robb Berg, Emily McCoy, and Manisha Kaul Elected to American Society of Landscape Architects Council of Fellows

Design Workshop is pleased to announce Robb Berg, Emily McCoy and Manisha Kaul have been elected by The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) as three of 48 ASLA Fellows. ASLA Fellows are recognized for their exceptional contributions to the landscape architecture profession and society at large. Election to the ASLA Council of Fellows is among the highest honors the ASLA bestows on members and is based on their works, leadership/management, knowledge and service.

Design Workshop Lands Top Ranking on DBJ’S Inaugural 2023 Denver-Area Landscape Architecture Firms List

For the first time, the Denver Business Journal (DBJ) released its 2023 Denver-Area Landscape Architecture Firms list by revenue. Design Workshop ranked first on the DBJ’s 2023 Landscape Architecture list by revenue.

Interview with Jake Sippy, Design Workshop’s newest Technical Principal

Since joining Design Workshop in 2005, he has brought rigor and technical acuity to some of the firm’s most complex projects. Jake’s new role leverages the innate ability for organization and education that he brings to all of his projects, and combines it with his joy for teaching others and shepherding projects through implementation.

Welcome Summer Interns!

This week kicks off one of our favorite times of year, welcoming 23 summer interns across our eight studios! Students and recent graduates in our Summer Internship and Dr. Charles Fountain Internship program will collaborate on a variety of projects this summer and enhance their design and planning skills with our talented team. We are thrilled you’re here!

Design Workshop Honored with Top Industry Awards From Architizer and World Landscape Architecture

Design Workshop has been selected as the 2023 Architizer A+Awards Jury Winner in the Best Landscape Design Firm category. The firm also received two awards from World Landscape Architecture for their Houston Arboretum and Nature Center and Black Fox Ranch projects.

Design Workshop’s Raleigh Studio Moves into New Office Space

We are pleased to announce we have moved our studio to 621 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh. The studio space is nearly three times the size of its previous location. “The Raleigh studio has seen a 200% percent growth since 2020 and it was time to find space that gave us more of a creative studio environment,” said Emily McCoy, principal at Design Workshop.

Design Workshop Announces 2023 Promotions

We are pleased to announce 11 promotions across five studios. Jake Sippy has been promoted to technical principal in Denver, CO. Those promoted to associates include: Aaron Bridgers, Callie New, Mary Oliver and Dan Runzel in Aspen, CO.; Stacy Ester and Sonny Sin in Austin, TX; Renée Ludlam in Denver, CO; Isabella Welch in Los Angeles, CA and Benjamin Boyd and Ellie Lerner in Raleigh, N.C.

Design Workshop Foundation Announces Launch of Community Capacity Building Initiative

The Design Workshop Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its inaugural Community Capacity Building Initiative, a comprehensive technical assistance process designed to advance community action and overcome built environment challenges. We are seeking innovative solutions to building more equitable, resilient, and inclusive places. Request for Applications.

Becky Zimmermann Honored as a Titan of Industry

Becky Zimmermann is selected to join the 2023 Titan 100 class as a top CEO and C-level executive that demonstrates exceptional leadership, vision, and passion.

Interview with Robb Berg

As the year comes to a close, we reflect on the most impactful moments – from professional development to community building. In our recent interview with DW President Robb Berg, he shares what mentorship means to him, how to keep culture alive and his thoughts about the next generation of leaders.

Interview with Renée Ludlam

Meet Renée Ludlam, Environmental Graphic Designer at Design Workshop. In our recent interview with her, Renee talks about how she found this niche career path, the role of environmental graphic design in holistic placemaking and her work on the Steamboat Resort base redevelopment project.

Midtown Park Elevated to SITES Silver Certification

Design Workshop announced the silver certification for Midtown Park under the Sustainable SITES Initiatives (SITES) rating system, the first of its kind in the City of Houston. Administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), SITES promotes sustainable and resilient landscape development to enhance sustainability, implement green infrastructure strategies and improve resilience.

2022 ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture

On November 11-14th, leaders and emerging professionals gathered in San Francisco for this year’s National ASLA Conference. We love this time of year, leading critical conversations, catching up with colleagues, collaborators, and celebrating this year’s accomplishments.

Design Workshop Promotes Alex Ramirez and Lindsey Naylor

We are pleased to announce Alex Ramirez has been promoted to principal in the firm’s Houston, TX studio and Lindsey Naylor has been promoted to an associate in the firm’s Raleigh, NC studio.

Interview with Kim Case, Brian Corrie, and Tyson Murray

We recently caught up with three of our newly promoted Associates – Kim Case, Brian Corrie and Tyson Murray to reflect on their most memorable projects at Design Workshop. We dived into what DEI means to them and they shared the most exciting part of their job. Read on to learn more from these talented team members.

Catching Up with our Summer Interns

Our favorite time of year is coming to a close and our summer interns are heading back to school. We took a minute to check in with a few interns about their experience over the past few months.

Interview with New Legacy Design Leadership

We recently caught up with our new Legacy Design leaders Meg Plumb and Beau Burris about what Legacy Design means to them and what they see for its future.

2022 Dr. Charles Fountain Internship Wraps Up

Our 2022 Dr. Charles Fountain Internship has come to a close. This impressive group left an impact on our firm and client as they presented their final plan and design for the Five Points neighborhood in Denver. Learn more about the project and see why landscape architecture and urban design has a bright future.

Interview with Brian Chambers

We recently caught up with Brian Chambers after his promotion to Principal in our Houston studio. When asked about the most potential to be impacted by urban design he emphasized outdoor spaces as places for us to “recharge, relax, and recreate.” Learn more about Brian’s view of urban design and landscape architecture in today’s world.

Dr. Charles Fountain Internship 2022

We have officially kicked off our 2022 Dr. Charles Fountain Internship Program! Established in honor of Dr. Charles Fountain, founder of the Landscape Architecture Program at North Carolina A&T State University, the internship provides opportunities for students who are often underrepresented in the fields of landscape architecture and planning. The program provides hands-on experience, working on actual studio projects, from start to finish.

Interview with Tarana Hafiz

In our recent interview with Associate Tarana Hafiz, she shares what she is most passionate about and the importance it plays in tackling issues in environmental inequality, public health and resiliency.

Design Workshop 2022 Leadership Promotions

We are excited to announce 13 promotions across seven studios – Brian Chambers in Houston is being promoted to Principal, and those being promoted to Associates include Ilana Fowler, Kim Case, Brittany Blicharz, and Eric Krohngold, in Denver, Brian Corrie and Chris Freda in Chicago, Ben Niefield, Max Guzzetta, and Feras Abdallah in Aspen, Jennifer Wang in Los Angeles, Tyson Murray in Lake Tahoe, and Scott Miller in Austin.

Design Workshop Foundation Names Sarah Konradi as its First Executive Director

Established as a 501(C)3 in 2014, the mission of The Foundation is to advance society’s capacity to plan and design the physical world by supporting individuals, organizations, and institutions that are transforming educational and professional practices. In this new role, Konradi will lead the refinement of the Foundation’s mission, vision, and goals, identify pilot projects, and develop fundraising and sustainability plans for the Foundation’s future activities.

Bailey Drive Gateway at Walnut Creek Wetland Park honored with Sir Walter Raleigh Award

Our Raleigh studio, @TheConservationFund, and project partners were recently honored with a Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance in the Community Impact category for Bailey Drive Gateway at Walnut Creek Wetland Park.

Interview with Sarah Konradi, Design Workshop Foundation, Executive Director

Today, we would like you to meet the first Executive Director of the Foundation, Sarah Konradi. Check out our interview with Sarah as she discusses the role of the Design Workshop Foundation going beyond giving back or doing good and taking a new approach to climate, environmental and social justice issues we are facing to ensure we have a sustainable future together.

Interview with Chevis Hosea, KSL Resorts

Today, we would like you to meet one of our amazing clients - Chevis Hosea, Senior Vice President Capital Planning & Project Development at KSL Resorts. Chevis oversees and manages the design, planning, entitlements and construction of all KSL Resorts development projects throughout the U.S. For the last decade, we have had the honor of working with Chevis and the KSL team on some of the nation’s leading resorts.

#InternationalWomensDay

Today and every day, we celebrate not just influential scribes and designers in the field, but educators who continue to inspire generations. Women who are changing the narrative and paving the way for future trailblazers. Women who are [re] shaping the futures of others and making the world a better place for all. Each of these women, and countless more, inspires us not just by their work but also by the way they live and their positive social impact. They often share their personal beliefs and struggles, expressing their vulnerability as strength; sharing it heals and empowers others to do the same.

Interview with Nikki Erbele of East West Partners

Today we would like to share our conversation with one of our amazing clients – Nikki Erbele, Director of Development at East West Partners. We are working with Nikki and the East West Partners team along with the Steamboat Ski Resort Corporation and Alterra Mountain Company on the redevelopment and complete transformation of the base area of Steamboat Resort.

Announcing The Point – The First ’15-Minute City’ in the U.S.

The Point is a rare opportunity to reverse the trend by redeveloping a former state prison site into the first ‘15-minute city’ developed in the U.S. where new jobs, housing, transit and open spaces will improve the health, prosperity, and vitality of Utahns. Planned as a 600-acre mixed-use development, The Point will become a key economic catalyst for approximately 14,000 people.

Design Workshop Names New CEO & President

The Board of Directors at Design Workshop is excited to announce a leadership transition. Becky Zimmermann has been named CEO and Chair of the Board Directors, while Robb Berg has been named President.

Interview with David Wright, Director, at City of Bentonville Parks & Recreation

For the last 4 years, we have had the honor of working with David Wright, Director, at City of Bentonville Parks & Recreation on the Quilt of Parks, A Street Promenade project in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. Here's what he had to say about the project's benefit to his city and his experience working with Design Workshop.

Interview with Marlon Marshall of MRA

Today we are speaking with Marlon Marshall, Director of Engineering and Construction at Midtown Redevelopment Authority. For the last 12 years, we have had the honor of working with Marlon and the MRA team on the redevelopment of the Midtown District in Houston.

Xiaojian Fan Q&A

We recently interviewed Xiaojian Fan, a landscape designer in our Los Angeles studio, who was promoted to Associate this year. She shares what drives her in this profession and the influence designers have toward improving public health.

Client Q&A with Lee Farris

"Every day I run into City employees who live in Cadence who tell me the community has exceeded their expectations in terms of quality of life. And now we are in the Top 10 best-selling communities in the U.S.! Check out the entire interview with Lee Farris, Manager of Land Development for The Landwell Company, collaborating with us on the Cadence project for the last 16 years.

Client Q&A with Dan Van Leeuwen

"This project has made me realize what it means to put together a good Master Plan where the long-term strategy is tested against our business goals and priorities. The Design Workshop team helped me see how the project should evolve over time, ‘future-proofing’ it for the long term." Check out the full interview with Dan Van Leeuwen, Managing Director of Development for Canderel MDC Development, who has been collaborating with us on the TAZA project for the last 3 years.

Q&A with Claire Hempel

Meet Claire Hempel, Principal at Design Workshop in our Austin studio. In our interview with her, Claire talks about her path to landscape architecture, her involvement in the Austin Planning Commission, and what drew her to Design Workshop.

Q&A with Alex Ramirez

Meet Alex Ramirez, Principal at Design Workshop in our Houston studio. In our interview with Alex, we learn about his most memorable project at Design Workshop, his exciting work for Midtown Park, and what he likes to do in his free time.

Q&A with Debbie Markey, Executive Director at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

"Design Workshop’s team had the breadth and depth of talent we were looking for on our project. We were impressed with their top-notch presentation, and it was clear they had spent time thinking about ideas for our Master Plan. Overall, it was an ideal partnership." Check out the full interview with Debbie Markey to learn more about how we worked together to create a more resilient landscape for the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center.

Client Q&A with Paul Hayes

“We were in the early stages of planning for a land development project – formerly referred to as the Market District – in Des Moines, Iowa. This hip, new area will be an entirely new development on an eight-acre park next to the river…” Check out the full interview with Paul Hayes, President of East Village Green, LLC.

Client Q&A with Brandon Cooper

"As the City of Ogden continues to grow, it’s time to rethink our existing design and planning standards for downtown Ogden to ensure we have a Master Plan that serves the needs of our community for the next 15 to 20 years. Thus, the Make Ogden initiative was born." Check out the full interview with Brandon Cooper, Deputy Director of the Community and Economic Development for the City of Ogden in Utah and client for the last thirteen years.

Creating Planning Documents

This guide to creating high-quality planning documents was developed by Design Workshop as part of the American Planning Association Planning Advisory Services (PAS) Report series, which publishes quarterly on current issues and innovative practices. The recommendations, which began as an internal handbook for the staff, will be of value to anyone engaged in a planning effort and responsible for providing content for a planning document.

Download from the APA website »

Landscape Architecture Documentation Standards: Principles, Guidelines, and Best Practices

A project will only be built as well as it is documented. This publication focuses on the key documentation needs of the landscape architectural design and construction documentation process. That includes both "design documentation" and "construction documentation" as well as all that which occurs in the transition from one phase to the other.
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Landscapes of Enduring Quality

Landscapes of Enduring Quality showcases 55 projects from across the United States and selected international locations. This bilingual publication contains both English and Chinese language narratives that provide a glimpse into the philosophy and approach behind each design solution.

Garden Legacy

Garden Legacy explores the residential landscape architecture of Design Workshop. The gardens contained within these pages are found in some of the most beautiful natural environments in the world.

Toward Legacy

Toward Legacy is a visual and literary walk through 35 years of evolution of the landscape architecture firm Design Workshop. These extraordinary landscapes are the result of DW Legacy Design®. This book expresses through essays, project descriptions and case studies how Design Workshop seeks to move projects Toward Legacy.

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