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Firm Profile
éSTUDIO landscape architecture is a woman owned, Arizona based firm with one goal: to design socially and environmentally integrated spaces that are not only functional and beautiful but enriching to the human spirit. Our focus is providing design services for private sector clients and public agencies. Our design approach is to physically experience and explore the current social and environmental context of the place and to investigate its history in order to design appropriately for its people, environment and future economic growth. By designing with and around local ecology and climate, the outcome is a holistic space that will protect and restore the intrinsic nature of the space, while being functional, safe and beautiful. éSTUDIO landscape architecture is based in New River, in a magnificent home designed by Will Bruder, founder of Will Bruder Architects. Looking out into the beauty of the Sonoran Desert from its many windows, it is the perfect space to inspire and nurture design. Registered Landscape Architect and firm in the State of Arizona Registration number: 62717 Native speaker of English and Spanish, conversational Italian SmartScapes Certified The University of Arizona Master of Landscape Architecture Honors 2008 - 2010 thesis: Tourism Development Along Mexico’s Caribbean Coast: A Sustainable Community Prototype for Tulum | Mexico University of California, Berkeley BA Landscape Architecture High Honors 2000 - 2004 National Autonomous University of Mexico Mexico City Spring Semester 2004 UC Berkeley Study Abroad Florence, Italy Summer 2003 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ These years I am focused on raising two wonderful little humans and caring for various rescued pets, along with designing and managing the firm. Here are some of the things I have enjoyed in the past: COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Stetson Hills Home Owners Association 2016 - 2019 volunteer landscape architect Habitat for Humanity 2009 - 2012 volunteer | Johnson Townhomes US Green Building Council 2009 volunteer | Greenbuild 2009 ACE Mentor Program 2007 - 2008 mentor | committee member Valley Forward Association 2007 - 2008 volunteer | committee member Phoenix Community Garden 2007 Nature Conservancy 2004 volunteer | Hart Prairie Preserve SEArch Students for Environmental Architecture 2002 - 2003 president | member BAHIA Bay Area Hispanic Institute for Advancement 2001 - 2003 tutor | volunteer ACCOLADES Article contribution to ASLA The Field Community Development and Tourism 2013 Speaker at the ASLA Annual Meeting Green Resorts 2013 Arizona ASLA Design Excellence Award Fronteras Town Plan 2010 Design Excellence Competition CALA Fronteras Town Plan 2010 UA Graduate Fellowship 2008 - 2010 UA Graduate Travel Grant 2010 ANA Scholarship 2008 - 2009 UCB College of Environmental Design Award 2004 UCB Various academics Scholarships 2001 - 2004 |
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Catalina Avila LaFranceOwner/Landscape ArchitectAs the product of Mexican immigrant parents the highlight of my childhood was traveling by car from the Salinas Valley in California to central Mexico for 2-3 months yearly, for almost 15 years. My love for people and their relationship to the environment started during these travels, as I experienced and observed different ways of life. Combined with my family background in building, farming and gardening, I decided on a career in landscape architecture at a very early age, and was accepted directly into the landscape architecture program at UC Berkeley. Today, seeing the world with my husband and children is a must for personal growth, social awareness and action.
éSTUDIO was established by Catalina Avila LaFrance in 2013. Catalina received her Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley (2000-2004), and her Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Arizona (2008-2010), with a focus on sustainable communities and tourism planning. Catalina also studied in Florence, Italy (2003), and at the National Autonomous University of Mexico City (UNAM) (2004). She is a Landscape Architect in the State of Arizona, also seeking registration in 3 neighboring states. Catalina has practiced landscape architecture and planning for 18 years in Arizona, California and Mexico. Her passion is education and creating culturally and ecologically sensitive environments that enrich our communities. Read recommendations at: linkedin.com/in/catalinalafrance |
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Residential Design
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Public Work
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Master Planning
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Sustainable Community Development
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