About Us

Susan’s keen observational skills developed early; exploring nature, thriving on art projects and collecting cactus plants as a child in the Chicago North Shore. The Landscape Architecture degree program she completed at University of Wisconsin – Madison was filled with exciting challenges. She loved the camaraderie between her great professors and fellow students as they shared and celebrated ideas or design solutions. After graduation, Susan hired on with the newly formed Scott Byron & Company. She was involved with every aspect of this brilliant and rapidly growing business including: directing design, estimating, project managing and sales. Susan launched SFLA after a new job for her husband offered them the opportunity to move to the Bay Area. She steadily grew her business while teaching her two children to love, care for, and be in awe of nature. Susan now shares her unique skills with hundreds of amazing clients and her talented design team. It is a dream come true for Susan to design beautiful and unique outdoor spaces; to see a sense of joy and pride in her clients as they enjoy their new landscapes in fun and imaginative ways.

Ian developed an appreciation for the outdoors while growing up on the edge of the Rockies in Boulder, CO. He enjoys activities like skiing, rafting and camping and developed a serious respect for nature from witnessing some devastating fires and floods. Ian values a global perspective, his extensive travels in the U.S. and abroad informing his designs. Settling in the Bay Area he acquired his Landscape Architecture Associate of Arts at Oakland’s Merritt College. He combines solid tech-savvy with beautiful solutions in his approach to the design process. Ian embodies the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, ‘Life is a journey, not a destination’ and his designs invite others to answer the call of outdoor living, ‘Join the adventure!’

Audrey is a Bay Area Native whose passion for Landscape Architecture grew naturally from a family of talents including art, gardening, design & musical instrument building. Her interest in architecture and engineering began in childhood building wood scrap and hay bale forts and developed into designing engineered cabanas! Audrey acquired her BA in Landscape Architecture from UC Berkeley, transforming pastimes she loves into a career. Interning with Wetland Research Associates, she witnessed the impact design has on ecosystems, and understood how profoundly landscape architecture benefits both people and the earth. For Audrey, integrating the many aspects of design is a welcome challenge, producing landscapes that evoke the sense of joy and peace she feels in Nature.

Jingyan remembers her idyllic childhood, exploring the mountains and rivers of Central China. Natural curiosity leading her, she discovered anemones, wild roses, fish and crab. Curiosity about computers led her to study Computer Science and Engineering at Beijing Institute of Technology, then to Carnegie Mellon University for her Ph.D. However, the wild places beckoned to deepen her relationship with plants and animals and through the lens of a camera she trained her eye for lines, patterns and colors in Nature. When she discovered how Landscape Architecture ties together her passions for nature, art and science, Jingyan enthusiastically enrolled in the UC Berkeley Extension LA Certificate Program. She is committed to respecting the environment and creating beautiful outdoor spaces where people can connect to each other and nature.

Michelle, an Oakland native, was inspired by stories of her Native American grandfather who was able to live off the land and speak his First Nation language. This familiar relationship with the natural world carried with it a sense of belonging, perspective and humility for Michelle. She pursued her BA in Philosophy at CSU, Chico, then Russian Language, world travel and Ayurvedic Medicine before returning to Oakland. She enjoyed the stimulating and supportive environment at Merritt College where she obtained her AA in Landscape Architecture. She is thrilled to have an education that combines her love of plants with drawing and technical design skills in the service of sustainability. Not everyone wants to live in the woods, but Michelle designs to give busy people a good excuse to get outside.

Aisha says, ‘If life gives you lemons, make compost! Actually, just compost everything…’ Through her early love for animals she noticed how human choices impact the world we share. Desiring to solve problems through smart design she pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at University of North Texas. Next, Permaculture design taught her about creating biodiversity, managing habitats, and growing nourishing food to help people have happier, healthier lives. Aisha further honed her skills at Oakland’s Merritt College, graduating with the Associate of Arts in Landscape Architecture. Now living in Alaska and Oregon, Aisha believes deep thinking and the creative process can produce elegant, efficient solutions; that often, the simplest answer is also the most beautiful.