1. Kate Stickley – The Power of Partnership in Landscape Architecture

Kate Stickley – Landscape Architect

Kate Stickley is a Partner in Arterra Landscape Architecture in San Francisco, California. They are focused on higher end Residential work. She shares some of the secrets of a long lasting partnership and the power of collaboration. We discuss her love for field-work, hand drawings, the need for clear vision for a business, apprenticeships and many other interesting topics. Kate’s firm has been featured in some popular publications and she shares some of the ways we can get their attention for our businesses. This was a longer discussion because we found so many great things to talk about. I hope you enjoy it half as much as I did.

Show Notes

Kate Stickley
Partner/Arterra Landscape Architecture
San Francisco, California
http://arterrallp.com/
http://www.arterra-art.com/

Education: Michigan State – Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture

Size of Firm: 9 designers + support
Partners with Vera Gates in Arterra for about 10 years

Project Types: High-End Residential Design Primarily in Northern California

Topics we discuss in our conversation:
Working with residential clients.
The importance of construction administration
Cost estimating in design
Collaborating – Power in the partnership
Forward thinking and planning for the business
A succession plan for the future of the business
Developing the team – structure for employee growth
The importance of an apprenticeship
Why we love Residential design
Where Arterra gets their leads for new work
Surviving the Great Recession
Two different business models
Defining the niche for the business
How to get into publications
The importance of professional photography for your work
What Kate does as a partner
Technology – when to use and when not to use
Why we like SketchUp
Recommended skills to develop for up and coming designers;
Water management ,Living walls, Plant design

Preferred Technology:
Hand Drawing for conceptual development
VectorWorks
Sketch up

Links & Resources Mentioned:
http://www.arterra-art.com/ – Sculptural pieces for the landscape

http://www.micheleleewillson.com/ – Professional photography

Jeff

I loved this interview. Of course I’m biased towards another residential LA but so many of the mindsets and situations that Kate has and has encountered are ones that I share. This is a long interview but it’s because we were enjoying the conversation. I think you will too.
Tom Wortham

What a great First Podcast! The voices are like sitting at a table of four listening to two business colleagues discussing professional work in medium detail and lessons learned for another designer considering setting up a new business.