Designing the groundwork
A sustainable landscape architecture firm in New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas
Landscape architecture blends buildings with the environments that surround them. Our sustainable landscape architecture firm focuses on the planning and design of exterior places with a thorough understanding of context and the interrelatedness of structures, environment, cultures, and people. From project inception to the development of construction documents, we focus on resilience, sustainability, and the art of merging science with design.
A bridge between architects + civil engineers
When landscape architects and civil engineers work together, site constraints become creative opportunities to shape functional and beautiful outdoor spaces for everyone.
The landscape architecture team at Dekker serves as a crucial bridge between the civil engineers that we partner with, and our architects. With a strong sense of the client and users’ needs, our landscape architects can advocate for those needs when considering site grading, slopes, drainage, access, safety, and more.
Design that works the first time
Great landscape architecture goes far beyond the beautification of the landscape. It’s about designing functional outdoor spaces for a diversity of users that encourages connection, community, and wellness. We take the time to understand the needs of different user groups — from cyclists to truck drivers to occupants — as well as anyone who needs to access the site.
We consider all the details that go into integrating the outside with the interior. This includes everything from site placement to considering the size of planters or a tree’s root zone, or how to reduce glare and increase shade for a more pleasant outdoor gathering space.
Our early collaboration with the architecture team streamlines the design of outdoor spaces, getting it right the first time. We consider every aspect of landscape design: plant selection, utility connections, and support amenities like pools or electric gates. This attention to detail on the exterior allows our architects to focus on the interior.
When landscape architects work closely with architects throughout the project lifecycle, the result is a beautiful, functional landscape design that seamlessly integrates with the surrounding buildings and environment.
Compassion inside and out: Santa Fe Medical Center
Santa Fe Medical Center is a state-of-the-art facility designed to reduce the length of patient stays. The masterplanned site contains an acute care hospital and outpatient clinic space.
The landscape architecture for this medical center is tailored to the high desert setting. Plants were chosen to preserve a sense of place. Healing is extended to the exterior with quiet contemplation and gathering spaces to help patients and their families heal, connect, and find respite.
Accessibility and sustainability
As a sustainable landscape architecture firm, we are committed to designing landscapes that are resilient and efficiently maintained. Being based in the Southwest, we understand that water is a limited resource. We design low water use landscape designs with native and arid-adaptive plants.
We collaborate closely with our in-house sustainability team to come up with regenerative and innovative designs that conserve natural resources. From alternative ground cover to urban heat reducing strategies to considering local pollinators, our team is committed to finding sustainable solutions that fit your project scope and goals.
Accessible design is as critical outside the building as it is inside. We go above and beyond to create places that are inclusive and work for everyone who uses the space.
A place to play and gather: Civic Plaza Albuquerque
Civic Plaza hosts a variety of outdoor events in downtown Albuquerque. This project renovated the space to create a festive environment for play and community building.
An interactive fountain conserves water and enriches play. Kids happily spend hot summer days splashing around in the water. Features are arranged to maximize shade during long play sessions during the day, while water and fog burst out of acrylic boxes to light up the night. Other features include an amphitheater that provides a venue for musicians and local school classes. The custom “prickly pear” playground and outdoor instruments give youngsters more opportunities for fun.
The landscape architecture team
Our landscape architects have a real passion for designing beautiful, functional outdoor spaces to be enjoyed for generations. As part of a multidisciplinary architecture firm, our team of 15 experts is experienced across all our project types - from K-12 schools to hospitals to multifamily communities, and more.
LICENSES + CERTIFICATIONS
- Board Certified Landscape Architects — AZ, NM, TX
- ISA Certified Arborist — International Society of Arboriculture
