Studio • Sylvatica Studio

Design Approach

Sylvatica Studio designs landscapes that elevate the essential character of places and support their natural and social systems.

We specialize in the planning and design of green spaces, including parks, gardens, and preserves, and we work in urban and rural settings, from streetscapes to riparian corridors to coastal ecosystems.

We focus on what is most important to our clients by paying rigorous attention to each project and infusing our process with discipline and creativity.

Essence of Place

Designing beautiful and evocative landscapes begins with on-the-ground, deep site systems analysis and thoughtful exchanges with communities to determine their aspirations for a place.

We combine this with our depth of experience gained from broad travel and knowledge of landscape history, altogether leading to profound understanding of the essence of a particular place.

Connecting People and Nature

We are energized by working with communities to connect the landscapes of people and nature in urban and natural environments through the careful planning and design of green space.

We find inspiration in ecological and social systems, and design to be minimally invasive and restorative of these, while contributing thoughtful solutions to the built and natural environment.

Multifunctional Landscapes

Good design is multi-functional and provides healthy, dynamic social settings, resilient natural environments, green relief in urban settings and visual and cultural interest.

We find that regenerative systems, such as plantings that filter runoff to improve water quality and promote healthy habitats, also serve to re-engage people in newly complex and appealingly rich landscapes.

Team

Contact Susan

Founding Principal Susan Stainback brings expertise and inspired leadership to complex landscape and environmental projects. Susan is lead designer and planner for Sylvatica, working in collaboration with client groups and professional associates. Her work is known for substantially benefitting natural and social environments in Urban Parks and Greenspaces, Cultural Institutions, Natural Preserves, and Urban Commercial environments.

A Graduate of University of Georgia’s School of Environmental Design and Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, Susan brings an in depth approach to site and ecosystem analysis, high design and detailed implementation. Susan has been a licensed Landscape Architect in Georgia since 1988.

Ryan Jenkins, ASLA LEED AP

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Bio

Contact Ryan

Ryan is an experienced landscape architect and planner with 18 years of site design, project management, and technical experience. He has successfully led a broad range of projects for prominent conservancy and institutional clients as well as private and commercial clients. Ryan has proven leadership skills including team-building, mentoring, problem-solving, and negotiation skills. His extensive experience with construction projects has led Ryan to become a technical leader in the firm.

A Graduate of the University of Georgia’s School of Environmental Design, Ryan believes the built environment should mesh cultural patterns with ecological systems. Ryan is a licensed Landscape Architect in Georgia.

Curtis Alter, ASLA

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Bio

Contact Curtis

Curtis Alter came to landscape architecture through a number of distinct interests: design and visual communications, cities and human behavior, science and ecology, gardening and horticulture. After graduating from the University of Georgia’s School of Environmental Design, he moved to New York City to work at Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. Curtis has developed strong design, graphic communication and construction documentation skills, and experience in interdisciplinary coordination that have been integral to the success of Sylvatica Studio projects since Curtis joined the firm in 2014.

Curtis is a licensed Landscape Architect and a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

News

President’s Award from ASLA Georgia goes to Sylvatica Studio for Fernbank Wildwoods

March 9, 2019

Uncommon award presented at ASLA Zone 7 & 8 Awards gala. See the award winners here, and read more about the awardees and the gala in ASLA Georgia’s Spring 2019 LA Letter.

Mercy Park wins 2018 ULI Award of Excellence

Innovative development in Chamblee, Georgia is cited by the Urban Land Institute for Excellence in Civic/Institutional Development

Fernbank WildWoods featured in Architectural Record August issue

August 1, 2018

Architectural Record magazine’s August issue features WildWoods, along with other landscape architecture projects. See the article here.

Midtown MARTA Station Plaza Enhancements Celebration

July 12, 2018

Sylvatica designed the Midtown MARTA Station plaza activation for the Midtown Alliance and MARTA. The work has just been completed and includes raised elements, pavement paint patterning, furniture and performance space, at the ground plane level of the Midtown MARTA Station and the GA Tech Trolley stop. The work was designed in collaboration with the vertical surface mural paintings by Andrew Catanese.

Join Midtown Alliance and MARTA leadership on the decked-out south plaza at the Midtown station to celebrate the completion of new enhancements. Take in the sights of the vivid mural on the station facade and try out the playful outdoor furniture on the plaza. Monday, July 23 – 10am

Two Sylvatica projects selected as ULI Awards of Excellence Finalists

July 11, 2018

Mercy Park and Armour Yards are finalists for the ULI’s upcoming awards celebration. Learn more about the event here.

Three Sylvatica projects win Georgia AIA Merit Awards!

April 14, 2018

Fernbank Museum Wildwoods, One Museum Place, and Three Alliance Center projects are recognized with Merit Awards by the Georgia American Institute of Architects. See the projects here.

Fernbank WildWoods Featured in Landscape Architecture Magazine

February, 2018

“A Forest in the City in a Forest” by Jonathan Lerner gives a detailed overview of Sylvatica Studio’s Fernbank projects, including the Master Plan and Fernbank WildWoods. Check out the February issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine!

Sylvatica’s Design for Midtown Art Walk Revealed by Midtown Alliance

February 13, 2018

Midtown Alliance CEO, Kevin Green, has revealed Sylvatica Studio’s vision for an “Art Walk” along Peachtree Walk from 10th Street to the Arts Center.