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.

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.

Karyn grew up in Southern California but has called the East Bay home since 1981. A lifelong gardener and avid hiker, Karyn loves exploring California’s regional, state and national parks and learning the native plants and local ecosystems. With previous careers in education and communications consulting, she is currently completing her Landscape Architecture Associates Degree at Merritt College. Karyn shares her enthusiasm for California native plants and design by creating beautiful environments for people to enjoy in their own backyards.

Lorraine grew up in Minnesota and spent her summers camping all over the country. She loves traveling and has spent time in Europe, South America, Australia, Canada and Mexico. She finds joy connecting with new people and seeing people enjoy themselves. Lorraine received her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She began her career in the manufacturing industry in Chicago doing international sales and process improvement work. When she and her husband moved to California and raised her two sons, she developed a long resume of volunteer activities with schools, sports and Boy Scouts, including training other volunteers in those programs. She continues as a community volunteer, working to preserve our natural open spaces and promoting healthful outdoor activities. She brings her values of listening, outreach, connection and service with her to SFLA.