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Issue 6

NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA HEAT

SEPTEMBER 1–2, 2026 THE BARKER HANGER, SANTA MONCIA

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EDITORIAL

Issue 6

Senior staff writer – Holly Chapman holly.chapman@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 959 407 Graphic designer – Louise klose

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andscape architecture is not just a profession. It can be a way of understanding and transforming the relationship between visitors, residents and living systems. This is argued by the latest issue’s interview, Diana Wiesner, who is a praised environmental activist and landscape architect based in Bogotá, Colombia. Creating public space is a form of celebrating neighboring landscapes, people and establishing accessible routes to nature. Wiesner talks about the struggles in creating public spaces in Colombia, and how her work as co-founder of the Cerros de Bogotá Foundation receives national recognition as she connects the hills of Bogotá to its civilians. Inside the pages of this issue, you’ll also explore a collection of projects stretching across North and South America, featured within the first heat of the 2027 Pro Landscaper International Awards. From the biophilic design nestled within the outskirts of bustling Brazil where nature offers a sanctuary from the intensity of everyday life, to treating landscape architecture as an essential part of social infrastructure across an entire 50-lot residential community in California, this first shortlist sets the bar high in landscape design. Winners of this heat will be chosen and celebrated at FutureScape USA on September 1-2 this year, which is taking place at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. A city transformed into a vibrant beachside district, its walkable assets and iconic coastline set the scene for a show teeming with innovation and beauty. We hope to see some of you there!

Holly The Association of

Professional Landscapers

Pro Landscaper is proud to be an Accredited Supplier member of BALI

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Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

PROJECTS

Contents 04 Worldwide industry updates News

06 Interview Diana Wiesner 11

Pollinator Garden Oasis Garden Butterfly

Garfield Road Evoscapes

News

Private Oasis 16 ADepieri Paisagismo

Puttin’ on the Ritz Reflections Water Gardens

Guaymas 20 Calle Evoscapes Merritt College of Landscape and

Campus 22 Horticulture BASE Landscape Architecture, Inc.

Fazenda da Matta Depieri Paisagismo

Africa’s newest landmark combines public space with biodiversity

lans for City Walk Abuja have been revealed by Link Developments featuring a public space

masterplan designed by Benoy. Located on the principal corridor linking Abuja’s central business district with Nnamdi Azikiwe

Ground to Rooftop 26 from Depieri Paisagismo

International Airport in Nigeria, within a government-

Human™ at Heritage Ranch 28 Living Michael Bernier Design

businesses, residents, and visitors can live, work, and

Verdant Continuum: A Living Landscape

South County Regional Park Landscape Craft Studio, Inc.

designated Free Trade Zone, City Walk Abuja has been conceived as a “world-class destination where connect within a sustainable, technology-enabled urban environment,” says Link Developments. Spanning over 200ha, the landmark will host Africa’s tallest tower, reaching 450m, alongside an international arena, designed around a natural ravine that forms the project’s ecological spine. City Walk Abuja will combine landscaped public space, biodiversity corridors, and sustainable water management systems with smart infrastructure and walkable neighborhoods. Link Developments has appointed Broadgate Developments Group Ltd as development and construction management advisor. The new district will be designed to support Nigeria’s long-term economic growth and reinforce Abuja’s position as one of Africa’s leading capitals.

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PROJECTS

onaco’s Bringing Nature

can become an integral part of

Back into the City vision

Monaco’s evolution. The

kicks off with a collaboration

corridors will link the limestone

between the government and

mountains behind the city to

landscape architecture firm

the Mediterranean Sea,

Grant Associates.

demonstrating the value of

It establishes a strategic framework for strengthening biodiversity, improving public

nature-based solutions. The vision aligns with Monaco’s National

©AILA

Monaco reintroduces nature with new vision alongside Grant Associates

Australia introduces new voice for landscape architecture in government

he Australian Institute of Landscape

space, enhancing pedestrian connectivity and

Biodiversity Strategy and considers how

increasing climate resilience across an

biodiversity, mobility, climate

Australian Capital Territory’s (ACT) first

extremely populated urban environment.

resilience and public health can

government landscape architect.

Through a network of green and blue

be addressed together through

corridors, the vision explores how landscape

landscape-led design.

Architects (AILA) has announced the

Gweneth Leigh steps into the role on a mission to create a landscape plan for Canberra, which is located between Sydney

Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground reopens after £3m transformation

irst opened in 2000, the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington

Gardens has undergone a £3m renewal. The Peter Pan inspired playground has been refurbished to include new equipment

The playground’s team has been led by

and Melbourne. In a statement online, Leigh says, that “this role is really to connect the dots, to connect people, and to connect research, to make

Royal Parks senior landscape architect

concrete some of the values we can put in

Rhona Harley, working alongside principal

place to validate what landscape does. We

contractor Ground Control.

know intuitively it does important things for

Every aspect of the playground now has

us. Capturing that in a way a broader

such as a 12m Galleon moored on a sandy

improved inclusivity and accessibility,

audience understands is the key role that

beach, a treehouse and crocodile-themed

featuring wheelchair accessible slides and

needs to be championed.”

waterplay area.

areas inside the treehouse and Galleon, ©The Royal Parks

Santa Ana opens first splash pad at Portola Park

picnic benches and waterplay areas. Sustainability has also been

Born in the US, Leigh settled in Canberra, where she completed a PHD in public health that led to grant work capturing

an important feature of the

youth voices to improve outdoor

newly refurbished playground.

spaces while producing a series of toolkits for designers.

“This is an exciting milestone for our community and for the families who will

anta Ana in California celebrated the grand

enjoy this space for years to come,” says

opening of its first dedicated splash pad at

Mayor Valerie Amezcua. “We know how

Portola Park, marking a milestone in the city’s

important it is to have safe, welcoming

ongoing investment in parks and recreation.

places where children can play, especially

include resurfaced tennis courts, a refurbished

The Portola Park Splash Pad features 10

during hot summer months, and this splash

basketball court with new LED lighting, new

pad delivers exactly that.”

fitness equipment, monument signage and a

water elements, including funnel twists, rooster sprays, stream jets and a tipping bucket. It also

The $2.5m project was funded entirely

includes new shade structures, outdoor showers

through the city’s Cannabis Public Benefit

dispenser and a drinking fountain

and renovated ADA-accessible restrooms.

Fund. Recent improvements to Portola Park

for dogs.

prolandscapermagazine.com

hydration station with a bottle-filling

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

INTERVIEW

Sparking a Connection

DIANA WIESNER IS CAMPAIGNING FOR A STRONGER SENSE OF PLACE IN COLOMBIA— FROM ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM TO SPARKING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THE LANDSCAPE THAT SURROUNDS THEM

at at 2,640m above sea level, Bogotá is the cobblestoned capital of Colombia, home to eight million people. Nestled high in the Andes Mountains, the city is home to vibrant neighborhoods, museums and a rich history of culture and diversity. Lining the city, the Eastern Hills of Bogotá stand tall, reaching 3,100m above the city, forming a natural border. The Fundación Cerros de Bogotá is a non-profit organization and citizen movement project focusing on this magnificent bordering landscape. Translated in English, it means, 'The Hills of Bogotá Foundation'. Centered around preserving the hills of Bogotá for the public to access and experience, the foundation looks to strengthen people’s relationship with the territory through conservation, education, citizen participation and creating responsible and meaningful engagement with the landscape. Co-founder and director of the organization, Diana Wiesner, set up the Cerros de Bogotá Foundation more than

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

18 years ago to protect the hills with a team of architects, biologists, anthropologists, artists, economists and more. “We noticed that nothing was being done to protect that landscape, so it really made us create this movement,” she says.

platform to make landscape processes visible to the public, generating support that leads to action and being an advisory partner that provides a socio-ecological vision on issues surrounding landscape development in Bogotá. It also works with a network of colleges and universities to generate diverse citizen engagement. A socioecological movement Viewed as the biggest agreement between people and landscape territory, the

I see landscape architecture not as a profession, but a way of understanding or transforming the relationship between visitors, citizens, and living systems The foundation works across three main areas. Firstly, the team work to create a

socioecological project “became a way of transforming the way people relate with

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INTERVIEW the mountains of Bogotá, which received a lot of attention.” The campaign attracts public engagement with the hashtag, #TheHillsSaveUs. People are encouraged to donate towards the conservation project, or volunteer to help out. There have been 420 talks within the mountains for a lecture series, Cátedra Cerros, which promote critical thinking about the region's landscape and biodiversity, visited by more than 8,000 people in the last eight years. A landscape architect by trade and by passion, Wiesner says the organization “combines my professional practice and

environmental activism.” When approaching a project, she will always begin with a focus on the landscape. This dates back to traveling Colombia with her mother from a young age where Wiesner established a strong sense of the country. This feeds into her approach to this day. On their journey, her mother worked with rural communities, farmers and artists. “This allowed me to experience Colombia not simply as a collection of landscape and incredible people, but to get a grasp of their life, their knowledge, and their relationship with the land. I have a particular respect for people who take care of their spaces.” Later in life, she completed an undergraduate degree

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in architecture at the Universidad de los completed a master's degree in bioclimatics Andes in Bogotá, before heading to the at Isthmus in Panama. Universidad de Buenos Aires to pursue Once completing the majority of her postgraduate studies, Wiesner studies in returned to Designing for good quality public landscape Bogotá and space or restoration projects architecture. became heavily demands a high level of responsibility. “My interest in involved in the We need to design our landscapes landscape city’s major with the people in mind, rather than architecture transformation simply having a design began at of public space university. I working on would always focus on the landscape, but the large-scale projects, from linear parks and university didn't recognize this fully. restorations, to urban parks and integrated I was already interested in areas. “These experiences progressively understanding projects in a shaped my career,” she explains. She then much broader context than went on to study urban planning in Japan. the building itself. My projects In 1998, Wiesner set up her own are constantly looking for the landscape architecture practice which relationships between the encapsulates her relationships with urban territory, the landscape and ecology, ecological restoration and the environmental conditions.” relationship between cities and nature-based While studying in Buenos solutions. “I see landscape architecture not as Airies, she had the opportunity a profession, but a way of understanding or to work in the transformation transforming the relationship between of Puerto Madero project in visitors, citizens, and living systems.” the river of Buenos Aires. "This As a woman, “setting up my own firm experience showed me the potential of the hasn’t been easy,” she admits. “But I landscape and how public space can wanted to participate more actively and transform large areas of a city.” She later independently in the transformation of our

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INTERVIEW cities.” While it may have been a risk initially, her work has since been internationally recognized and celebrated. Investing in public space Built on a diverse typography, surrounded by diverse planting, Colombia’s landscape interweaves with the cultural diversity of its people. “Designing for good quality public space or restoration projects demands a high level of responsibility. We need to design our landscapes with the people in mind, rather than simply having a design,” says Wiesner. She adds that harmonious design is very important in order to create a space where people can create relationships with one another and the landscape. However, throughout her career, she has seen how Colombia sometimes fails the landscape through mistreatment and neglection of public space. During a project in the south of Bogotá, featuring difficult geological conditions, Wiesner and her team experienced some frustration when trying to create public space for a vulnerable group. “We designed a space for children to play safely, but unfortunately it was not executed the way I would’ve liked.” While she was happy that the space was and the limited adoption of nature-based being enjoyed by children and families, “it solutions. “They have the resources to invest was a pity,” when the engineers didn’t know in public space, but they don’t. They don’t how to fulfill the often have an open brief fully. Designed perspective of doing We can collectively create a with flood different things, stronger sense of belonging and protection in mind, such as nature-based help people to recognize the value the finished project solutions, and prefer of the places that they inhabit excluded these to stick with the original plans. same practical and However, the project is acknowledged in the functional plans.” Bienal de Espacio Público de Bogotá, or the On another project, a debate was sparked 'Bogotá Public Space Biennial' in English. when Wiesner utilized a product which was The Biennial, also known as BOG, is a major unfamiliar. Widely known public art and urban initiative launched by as a ‘brick city’, Bogotá is the mayor’s office of Bogotá to showcase lined with distinctive red large-scale contemporary art installations, and orange clay brick architecture and public space free for across its urban landscape. millions of residents and visitors. “For me, it Wiesner’s firm created a was about how people were engaging with park at Julio Mario Santo the space in the end,” says Wiesner. Domingo Library, which Other projects are still in the conception featured recycled stage because of structural challenges, materials from the city. “As such as insufficient investment in public a brick-built city, it made space, institutional resistance to innovation, sense to me to use

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

crushed, recycled brick for our public spaces.” She recognizes that this solution is very common for the UK or Argentina, but not in Bogotá. “So, it was very controversial because it wasn’t what people were used to.” Wiesner also emphasizes the importance of local communities. “The profound knowledge held by indigenous and local communities about their territories and ecosystems is incredible,” which should be incorporated into landscape and public space projects. “We have to take care of their opinions. While we might learn from Europe

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INTERVIEW

or the United States, we also have to focus on our own people.” Nature-based solutions are fundamental to Wiesner’s projects and plans, because of her understanding of place and how people should relate to the landscape. “The country's geography is strongly shaped by the Andean mountain range and the river valleys. Different ecological regions have a variety of ecosystems, and this biodiversity is incredible.” Wiesner hopes Colombia takes inspiration from her work and feeds it back into the landscape. “We can collectively create a stronger sense of belonging and help people to recognize the value of the places that they inhabit.” A strong advocate for education, Wiesner uses her practice and the foundation to relay this message across the country. In the future, she hopes landscape architects will have a greater role in shaping decisions. Not only in the design or planning, but by standing as prominent figures in the decision-making process in landscape design.

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“Small actions, when connected to education, citizen participation and a long-term vision, can build a stronger collective voice and generate profound and lasting change,” she argues. Just as she did in the hills of Bogotá, she’s making waves when it comes to nature perseveration and public space creation. She also hopes a landscape architect can hold an important role in making real, concrete actions for the creation and perseveration of space. “Through the but to help activate the transformations Foundation and my professional practice, that territories need. Strategy and design I see landscape architecture as a form of are important, but they become meaningful territorial activism— when they lead working directly with to concrete action Strategy and design are communities, on the ground.” important, but they become creating experiences While Colombia meaningful when they lead to that reconnect might have its concrete action on the ground people with their challenges when landscapes, restoring it comes to creating places, generating knowledge, and high-quality public spaces, Wiesner seeks turning collective participation into to honor the country's ecology in every tangible change. way. Through her practice and activism, "For me, the role of landscape she is creating a promising future for architecture is therefore not simply to both the landscape itself and landscape imagine or design better territories, design.

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

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PROJECTS

Pollinator Garden Oasis GARDEN BUTTERFLY

Project Details Location Los Angeles, California

Shortlisted: Residential Project Under $500k

Size of project 85m2 Status Complete Completed 2019

vibrant habitat for local pollinators, insects and other wildlife, the Pollinator Garden Oasis sits within the historic Vermont Knolls neighborhood in Los Angeles. More than just a residential garden, the oasis features a mix of California native planting, non-invasive Mediterranean species and potted succulents to create a space that gives back to nature. When designing the garden, Garden Butterfly realized the importance of creating food and shelter for pollinators,

All Images © Bob Stefko

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Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

PROJECTS conserving water and using sustainable maintenance practices. Buckwheat, wildflowers, Epilobium varieties, California native Salvia ‘Pozo Blue’ shrub and native Salvia ‘Bee’s Bliss’ creeping sage have all been chosen to attract pollinators and thrive in the local climate. A natural, living ecosystem, the garden encourages natural pest control, including methods such as hand-picking pests when necessary. A thriving garden that works alongside the wonders of wildlife, fallen leaves and organic mulch nourish the soil and support ground-nesting bees and beneficial insects. Another feature of the garden is situated within a small deck, serving as an outdoor living space. The sitting area has been designed to foster mindfulness and reflection, offering a peaceful space to observe the natural beauty and sounds of nature.

Project Team

Client / developer Garden Butterfly

Landscape designer Brandy Williams/ Garden Butterfly

Landscape contractor Garden Butterfly

Also used for educational purposes, the garden hosts community events throughout the year to promote environmental awareness and inspire the creation of sustainable gardens.

GARDEN BUTTERFLY Garden Butterfly is a boutique landscape company and educational resource rooted in a mission to inspire homeowners, students, and emerging landscape professionals to center local pollinators in their design and construction practices. As a supportive resource, Garden Butterfly empowers others to create vibrant spaces that nurture biodiversity and cultivate environmental stewardship. gardenbutterflyla.com

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

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PROJECTS

Garfield Rd EVOSCAPES

Project Team

Landscape designer Jesse York, Laurel Milton

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

Landscape contractor Evoscapes

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PROJECTS

project Evoscapes would describe as small but mighty, this back yard transformation opens up the space. It's garnished with colorful and textual planting, surrounded by a new privacy hedge which creates a more secluded feel.. Before its transformation, the yard had major drainage issues with a 10ft unused easement running the length of the rear property line, which made the it feel much smaller than it really was. After reworking and expanding the usable space towards the back fence, Evoscapes changed the garden’s entire functionality. Hosting an existing ‘California room’, the garden swiftly became a natural extension of the home. From an outdoor kitchen, fire pit and a vibrant garden, the space encourages the homeowners to spend more time outdoors, inviting them to enjoy the space throughout the whole day.

At the front of the property, the yard was refreshed with new planting and landscape lighting, giving the home a welcoming feel from the moment of arrival. Overall, the now open and inviting space gives its residents an opportunity to explore the garden, socialize outside and host guests, all within sleek, contempary surroundings.

EVOSCAPES Evoscapes is a San Diego-based design and build firm specializing in custom outdoor living environments. From initial design through construction, it transforms underutilized spaces into seamless extensions of the home. The company’s passion is creating timeless outdoor spaces where families can gather, entertain, unwind, and make memories for years to come. evoscapes.com

Project Details Location San Diego, California Project value $300-400k approx. Size of project 303m² Status Complete Completed 2026

Shortlisted: Residential Project under $500k

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Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

PROJECTS

Project Details Location Brasília, Brazil Project value $500k + Size of project 7,520m2 Status Complete Completed 2024

A Private Oasis DEPIERI PAISAGISMO

n immersive space in Brasília, the garden blocks out the intensity of bustling city life, replacing it with a calming and private landscape. The client wanted to feel embraced, leaving any overwhelming feelings associated with the city at the door. Landscape design studio Depieri Paisagismo worked with architecture firm Studio Denise Zuba and engineering consultancy Tecna Home to create harmonious fluidity between indoors and outdoors. Mature palms, sculptural trees and layered planting create depth, while expansive lawns evoke openness and visual breathing space. Pathways guide circulation through different experiences of the garden, reaching different points of rest and relaxation. Shaded pergolas and water elements encourage moments for pause, while integrated lighting reveals textures, silhouettes and spatial structure of the landscape at nightfall. Guided by biophilic principles, the garden uses vegetation, shade, water and spatial continuity to strengthen everyday contact with nature. Its main values center the creation of privacy without isolation, comfort without excess

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

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PROJECTS and a sense of retreat without disconnecting the garden from the neighboring architecture. A Private Oasis demonstrates how residential landscape design can directly influence wellbeing and quality of life. The result is a home that balances architecture and nature, transforming the outdoor space into an essential part of daily living.

ABOUT DEPIERI PAISAGISMO Depieri Paisagismo is a Brasília-based landscape design studio led by Cleber Depieri and Arthur Depieri. With over 25 years of experience, the studio creates landscapes that connect architecture and nature through biophilic design, botanical sensitivity, sustainability and solutions for residential, corporate, public and rural environments across Brazil, with nationwide reach. depieripaisagismo.com

Shortlisted: Residential Project Over $500k

Project Team

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Landscape designer and landscape contractor Depieri Paisagismo

Architecture consultant Studio Denise Zuba

Engineering consultant Tecna Home

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PROJECTS

nspired by the luxurious glamor of the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida, Puttin’ on the Ritz is a residential garden fit for a young professional couple yearning for an escape from everyday life. Taking note of their modern and elegant style, Reflections Water Gardens created a yard with the look and feel of a five-star hotel, and translated it into a space at home, fit for socializing, lounging and relaxing. The clients also emphasized their love of nature, which Reflections Water Gardens has

integrated into the yard's surrounding natural Midwest environment. The project centers around a signature grotto, hosting sheets of cascading water which glide across a 130ft-wide single stone slab roof. On either side, 6-8ft wide secondary mini waterfalls circulate around 88,000 gallons of water. The rockwork demanded sculptural reinforcement, which meant roughly 635 cubic yards of excavated soil was repurposed on site to build a large supporting berm, with

ABOUT REFLECTIONS WATER GARDENS Reflections Water Gardens designs and builds high-end, award-winning waterscapes for clients. Founded in 2010 by Larry Carnes—a respected industry leader with an extensive background in horticulture, landscape architecture and pond design—the company creates custom, handcrafted water features tailored to each client’s vision and lifestyle. perfectdxb.ae

an 83-inch-tall retaining wall built in. The heavy concrete structure is hidden underneath a series of arranged natural boulders. The garden’s impressive structure didn’t come without challenges, though. The crew had to skillfully maneuver heavy machinery and carefully construct soil berms to avoid encroaching on the property’s septic field. The design of the garden also evolved during construction, which meant the team had to redesign structural elements on the spot. For example, the pool equipment pad was relocated to the back corner of the yard mid-build, which required rerouting the plumbing to the front of the pool. Despite the challenges, Puttin’ on the Ritz offers an elegant space to both wind down and host parties.

Project Details Location St. Charles, Illinois Project value Over $500k

Shortlisted: Residential Project Over $500k

Size of project 203m² Status Complete Completed 2022

All Images © Reflections Water Gardens

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

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PROJECTS

Puttin’ on the Ritz REFLECTIONS WATER GARDENS

Project Team

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Landscape design and landscape contractor Pool Platinum Pool Reflections Water Gardens

Lighting Night Light Inc.

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PROJECTS

Calle Guaymas EVOSCAPES

alle Guaymas integrates fresh materials into the original design, keeping the character of the home and overall space intact. In fact, the project began as a simple request to create a place to enjoy a new outdoor dining table, which led to a garden transformation. Evoscapes removed an old rotting pergola and replaced it with a custom wood cabana with a tiled roof and built-in daybeds to create a comfortable space to relax. This additional destination overlooks the existing pool, which once hosted outdated seeded concrete, that was replaced by a smooth finish and turf inlays. The outdoor kitchen was completely refreshed with a new countertop and updated stucco finish. Along every step of the transformation, the project had to reflect the home’s 15-year-old travertine. New elements blend seamlessly with original materials, resulting in a space that felt like it had always been part of the home. What was once a garden that the client’s no longer felt connected to, Evoscapes created a space that feels fresh without looking out of place. The project—sat in La Jolla, California—creates a backyard the clients can genuinely enjoy spending time in, from hosting friends to having a quiet evening outside with family.

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

ABOUT EVOSCAPES Evoscapes is a San Diego-based design-build firm specializing in custom outdoor living environments. From initial design through construction, it transforms underutilized spaces into seamless extensions of the home. The company's passion is creating timeless outdoor spaces where families can gather, entertain, unwind, and make memories for years to come. evoscapes.com

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PROJECTS

Project Details Location La Jolla, California Project value $600-700k approx. Size of project 455 m² Status Complete Completed 2026

Project Team

Landscape designer Jesse York, Laurel Milton

Landscape contractor Evoscapes

Shortlisted: Residential Project Over $500k

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Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

PROJECTS

Shortlisted: Commercial Project

Project Team

Landscape designer BASE Landscape Architecture Inc.

Landscape contractor Marina Landscape

General contractor Thompson Builders

Architect Noll & Tam Architects

Merritt College of Landscape and Horticulture Campus BASE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE INC.

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

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PROJECTS

Project Details Location Oakland, CA Project value $27M Size of project 5 acres Status Complete Completed 2025

verlooking San Fransico Bay, the Merritt College of Landscape and Horticulture is a five-acre campus sat within the East Oakland Hills. Surrounded by heavily wooded natural areas, the site supports a program which offers over 25 courses and eight degrees and certificates, welcoming approximately 1,600 students annually. BASE Landscape Architecture collaborated closely with Noll & Tam Architects, students and staff from the horticulture program to create a design that preserved the charm and intimate character of the current campus, which advanced the curricular and public learning opportunities the site and course offers. The new site integrates outdoor learning spaces with modern classrooms and laboratories to offer a seamless educational experience, alongside demonstration gardens

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for food production and growing medicinal herbs and native planting. The new space features several social spaces, enhanced with planting. Each aspect was guided by sustainable practices, from hosting pollinator habitats to incorporating bioretention planting and xeriscaping techniques.

ABOUT BASE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE INC. BASE Landscape Architecture is a full-service landscape architecture firm with an optimistic and insatiably curious team that boasts a portfolio spanning multiple sectors and typologies. It is a Woman & Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (WMBE) and a Local Business Enterprise (LBE) in San Francisco, with another office in Portland, Oregon. baselandscape.com

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PROJECTS

high-end residential development in Corumbá de Goiás, Brazil, Fazenda da Matta positions nature not purely as decoration, but realizes how the entire community can experience it. Spread across approximately 852,527m², the masterplan combines residential areas with an extensive network of leisure, sporting, equestrian and contemplative spaces. Depieri Paisagismo was commissioned to develop the complete landscape design and the concept for the development's outdoor structures and shared environments, while maintaining a strong connection with the Cerrado landscape. Shaded routes, generous lawns, layered planting, framed views and carefully positioned resting areas encourage movement through the site and establish transitions between social, active and contemplative settings. This creates a series of connected experiences guiding residents through the haras, a vineyard and

Fazenda da Matta DEPIERI PAISAGISMO

/ developer Project Client Omnium Desenvolvimento Team

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

Landscape designer Depieri Paisagismo

Architect Denise Zuba Arquitetos

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PROJECTS

Project Details Location Corumbá de Goiás, Brazil Size of project 852,527m² Status Under Construction Expected completion 2028

Shortlisted: Commercial Project

structures are integrated throughout the design. Pergolas, sports facilities, hospitality spaces and equestrian environments are rooted within the landscape’s narrative. Sparking a sophisticated yet authentic countryside lifestyle, the residential development connects residents with a living landscape where leisure, architecture, nature and community form a single, memorable experience.

ABOUT DEPIERI PAISAGISMO

wine spaces, clubhouse, sports courts, gourmet areas, pergolas, outdoor chapel, lakes and social spaces. Drawing on the Brazilian countryside, the planting strategy combines adapted species, naturalistic compositions and a refined visual rhythm compatible with a contemporary luxury development. Outdoor

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Depieri Paisagismo is a Brasília-based landscape design studio led by Cleber Depieri and Arthur Depieri. With over 25 years of experience, the practice creates residential, commercial, public and rural landscapes across Brazil, combining nature, architecture and functionality through site-sensitive, enduring and distinctly Brazilian design solutions with clarity, restraint and purpose. depieripaisagismo.com

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

PROJECTS

Verdant Continuum: A Living Landscape from Ground to Rooftop DEPIERI PAISAGISMO

erdant Continuum reimagines the relationship between architecture, nature and everyday life in Brasília. Developed by landscape design studio Depieri Paisagismo in collaboration with Crossara Arquitetura and the client, Lotus, the conceptual residential project is centered around biophilic design, inspired by parts of Austria. It uses Austria’s concept of green architecture and integrated green spaces to demonstrate how vegetation can become inseparable from the built environment. The outcome intends to create a garden building in which architecture and landscape are conceived as a single spatial experience.

Layered and green areas are distributed throughout different levels designed to provide shade, privacy, spatial identity and a stronger daily connection with nature. Vegetation across the design softens the scale of the architecture, enhances outdoor comfort and contributes to improved microclimatic conditions in both private and shared spaces. Overall, the project treats the landscape as essential infrastructure rather than a final aesthetic addition. Verdant Continuum explores how planted spaces can contribute to thermal comfort, urban resilience, wellbeing and a more meaningful residential experience without disturbing everyday life and instead enhancing it.

Shortlisted: Conceptual Project

Project Client / developer Landscape designer Depieri Paisagismo Team Lotus

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

Architecture Crossara Arquitetura

Engineering Lotus

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PROJECTS

Project Details Location Brasília, Brazil Size of project 15,790m2 Status In progress Expected completion TBC

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Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

PROJECTS

Living Human™ at Heritage Ranch MICHAEL BERNIER DESIGN

Project Team

Client / developer Homeplex Inc.

Landscape designer Michael Bernier Design

reated as a rejection of traditional development methods that treats the land as a blank canvas, Living Human™ at Heritage Ranch positions landscape architecture as essential social infrastructure. The 50-lot residential community is nestled within the unique topography of Lake Nacimiento outside of Paso Robles, California. It's intended to create lasting relationships with nature and one another. Michael Bernier Design utilizes its Living Human™ model, which challenges the industry to move beyond landscape as decoration, but instead use it to extend human health spans, spark spontaneous connection and cultivate a deep sense of mutual belonging. The design replaces rigid property fencing with contiguous, shared outdoor rooms and accessible edible landscapes. Guided by

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

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PROJECTS shared pathways, residents are led to gathering spaces which are anchored by natural stone and wood benches crafted from repurposed fallen oak trees gathered directly from the surrounding area. The conceptual design also honors the site’s ancient, native Paso Robles oaks as sacred canopy landmarks. Neighboring these majestic oaks, a restorative plant palette of resilient, drought-tolerant native flora provides therapeutic sensory views and direct contact with nature right outside each doorstep. Living Human™ at Heritage Ranch intends to act as a blueprint for the future of neighborhood design, where the earth is treated as the true

Project Details Location Paso Robles, California, USA Size of project 14 acres Status Design and planning Expected completion 2028-2030

floorplan and landscape architecture becomes the foundation for healthier, more resilient human communities.

ABOUT MICHAEL BERNIER DESIGN Michael Bernier Design approaches environmental design as a dynamic art form, prioritizing function over decoration and focusing on sustainable, water-conscious xeriscaping to ensure a beauty that is as resilient as it is refined. From its California Central Coast-based studio, the firm delivers intentional designs from concept to execution, elevating the experience of being home. michaelbernierdesign.com

Shortlisted: Conceptual Project

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Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

PROJECTS

nspired by New York City’s Central Park, South County Regional Park is a 100-acre regional destination situated in San Joaquin County, located approximately 1.5 miles from the City of Tracy. Sat adjacent to the old river riparian corridor, connected to the Sugar Cut delta water system, the park offers access to the delta using paddle boards or kayaks for active nature related activity. At its core, the park’s design looks to create a habitat-forward park where ecological restoration and passive recreations seamlessly coexist. Structured around resilient, climate-adaptive plant palettes, the landscape prioritizes biodiversity, responsible water stewardship and environmental durability in the face of a changing climate. Rather than positioning nature as a passive backdrop, the park immerses visitors directly within the living landscape. An extensive network of multi-use trails weaves continuously through open meadows, dense shaded groves, and active habitat restoration

zones, encouraging exploration, physical activity, and environmental discovery. Interestingly, there is a Butterfly Island floating within the river, accessible only by kayak or paddleboard. The unique feature will be home to pollinator shrubs and trees, welcoming an abundance of wildlife. Designed as a timeless public space, the park will also create opportunities for events such as farmers' markets, golf, camping and social occasions. Meandering pathways will welcome visitors to observe habitats within native grasses and wildflower meadows. Currently a space surrounded by agricultural land, the project represents a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary effort between the city, key stakeholders and local community members to ensure the space reflects the region's diverse identity and long-term needs.

South County Regional Park LANDSCAPE CRAFT STUDIO, INC.

Project Details Location Los Angeles, California Size of project 85m2 Status Complete Completed 2019

Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

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PROJECTS

Shortlisted: Conceptual Project

Project Team

Client / developer San Joaquin County Team – General Services, Parks & Recreation

Landscape Design Landscape Craft Studio

ABOUT LANDSCAPE CRAFT STUDIO, INC. Landscape Craft Studio, Inc. (LCS) is an award-winning landscape design/architecture firm with over 25 years of experience transforming parks, civic spaces, healthcare campuses, and destination environments internationally. Grounded in the belief that exceptional design extends far beyond aesthetics, LCS creates human-centered landscapes that blend the built and natural environment. landscapecraftstudio.com

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Pro Landscaper International | Issue 6

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