DAN K. GORDON
Founding Principal

Dan K. Gordon is the founder & principal of Dan Gordon Landscape Architects (DGLA). He grew up in Brookline, MA, a turn of the century streetcar suburb of Boston, where his formative years were spent in the neighborhoods, parks, and estates designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Charles Platt, and others associated with the “American Renaissance” movement. These landscapes, rich in architectural and horticultural interest, have been the basis for the firm’s philosophy and evolution.

Prior to establishing DGLA in 1996, Dan’s professional career began with a west coast-based international land-planning firm. While in California, Dan worked primarily as the project manager for a 5,000-acre planned new town. He also developed a working knowledge of sub-tropical and Mediterranean flora, earned licensure, and prepared an award-winning submission for the UC Davis Arboretum design competition.

After three years on the west coast, Dan returned to Boston to assume responsibilities as the Lead Designer for the Central Artery Tunnel Project – Central Area. Dan’s role included developing the preliminary design for eight miles of streetscapes in downtown Boston, a design for which he received a 1995 Design Achievement Award from Move Massachusetts 2000.

Dan graduated magna cum laude from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design, and received his Master of Landscape Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design in 1986. During the fall semester of 2020, Dan was selected as a guest professor to teach the residential design studio at UMass Amherst.

Currently professionally licensed in many states throughout New England and the country, DGLA and its colleagues have created a body of work that has achieved sustained recognition, including numerous awards from the Boston Society of Landscape Architects and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art. In 2017, Dan Gordon was inducted into the New England Design Hall of Fame for the recognition of an outstanding body of work spanning more than two decades.

Dan’s landscapes have been widely published in Design New England, New England Home Magazine, Period Homes and Wellesley Weston Magazine. Dan currently serves on the board of the New England Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.

Peter Stephens
Principal

Peter has had an extensive career in the green industries, which started two decades ago working at his family nursery in the mountains of West Virginia. From his family’s business, he gained a strong base of horticultural knowledge, and in the late 1990s Peter moved to Cape Cod, where he continued to expand his expertise by working with the region’s leading nurseries and landscape contractors. From the rural farms of West Virginia and western Massachusetts, the coastal communities and islands of the Cape, and the historic neighborhoods of greater Boston, Peter draws inspiration from the many places he has lived, each having a unique landscape character and architectural vernacular.

Prior to joining DGLA in 2010, Peter worked for several years as a construction foreman and project manager for one of Cape Cod’s premier residential landscape contractors. Subsequently, while working for a Ft. Lauderdale-based landscape architecture firm, Peter contributed to resort and planned community projects throughout the world. Peter holds degrees in Landscape Contracting and Landscape Architecture from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst respectively, graduating with honors in 2010.

At DGLA Peter excels at all facets of project management, including schematic design development, creation of custom construction detailing, planting design, and on-site construction administration. As a project manager, Peter has had the opportunity to collaborate on some of New England’s premier properties, and has been fortunate to work with many of the region’s finest architects and craftspeople.

Patrick Taylor
Principal

Raised on a vegetable farm in rural Vermont, Patrick holds close appreciation for the New England agrarian landscapes known for their rolling fields and distinctive stonewalls. While very different in character and heritage, it was while attending school at a golf academy in Hilton Head, SC, that he developed a passion for the built environment and a respect for how a shared commitment towards strong design can create a sense of place.

Prior to joining Dan Gorden Landscape Architects (DGLA) in 2011, Patrick fine-tuned a diverse skillset while working at renowned offices in Aspen, CO and Naples, FL. During this time, he gained extensive experience collaborating on award-winning projects in the United States and Caribbean, ranging in scale from large master planned communities, golf courses and boutique resorts to custom residential properties. Patrick holds a landscape architecture degree from the University of Georgia, graduating with honors in 2006.

As a Principal at DGLA, Patrick plays a key role in guiding the firm’s design vision, leading projects through all phases of design and construction while working closely with clients, consultants, and contractors. Recognizing that successful projects are shaped through collaboration, he values the distinct perspectives and expertise that fellow designers, artisans, and fabricators contribute to the design process. Patrick brings an experienced voice to every phase of a project, offering a balance of creativity and pragmatism. Within the studio, he is dedicated to mentoring emerging designers, advancing marketing initiatives, and cultivating a culture of collaboration, professional growth, and design excellence.

Dan Dobra
Senior Associate

Dan grew up in a suburb of Boston on a generous property where he enjoyed the outdoors, acquired a strong work ethic, and learned the role of gardening at a residential scale. During excursions throughout New England and beyond, he developed an appreciation for natural conservation and preservation of the built landscape. While embracing DGLA’s underlying design philosophies, Dan seeks to create landscapes as a series of spaces from which you can enjoy the natural world with limited intrusion.

Dan’s interest in art, science, and the exploration of the rural landscape led him to Vermont where he studied at the University of Vermont’s School of Natural Resources.  It was here that he first worked in landscape construction, which drew him closer to the profession of landscape architecture. Upon return to Massachusetts, Dan worked for an award-winning landscape construction firm, honing his skills in landscape estimating and project management.  Prior to joining DGLA in 2000, Dan earned his Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, graduating with honors.

Dan is a licensed Landscape Architect in the state of Massachusetts, bringing over 15 years of experience to DGLA. As a senior project manager, he oversees all facets of the design process from schematic design to construction detailing. During implementation, Dan provides a dependable presence for any project team and works effectively with clients, project consultants, and contractors alike. Excelling at both interpreting technical information and tactfully navigating the regulatory commissions, Dan is an integral part of the office.

Joseph LaRico
Senior Associate

Joseph is from a coastal community in southern Rhode Island where, since childhood, he has fostered a love of the ocean and appreciation for the dynamic and unique landscapes of New England. That affinity became a vocation when he chose to take a summer job with a stone mason in the prestigious Watch Hill area of Rhode Island, initiating a career that lasted over a decade. As a Site Manager/ Stone and Brick Mason, Joseph developed his expertise in landscape construction, creating and designing custom stonework for exclusive properties across New England.

With a passion for design, Joseph parlayed his construction experience into landscape architecture, joining DGLA in 2015. He received his Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he was a member of the Sigma Lambda Alpha Landscape Architecture Honor Fraternity. He graduated with honors, and was awarded a Boston Society of Landscape Architecture’s Merit Award as a team member of his Urban Design studio.

At DGLA, Joseph is a senior landscape designer who specializes in the design and development of construction documents and details, presentation graphics, as well as the creation and rendering of 3D models. Using his experience in construction, Joseph has become a vital asset to the team, offering a practical perspective when molding innovative ideas into a reality.

Jordan Marett
Associate

Jordan grew up in southern New Hampshire, where she started a small vegetable farm with her family and hosted a farm stand for their community. Between working with the land on her family farm and exploring New England landscapes, she developed a passion and appreciation for the outdoors.

Before becoming a member of the DGLA team, Jordan earned a Bachelor of Architecture from The Pennsylvania State University, supplementing her studies with a semester abroad based in Rome. Although she practiced architecture in school, she had continued to gain interest in the landscape while working at a local nursery and maintaining residential gardens.

Now at DGLA, Jordan brings an interesting perspective to the firm by combining her architectural studies with a passion for the landscape. Her work in the studio ranges from schematic hand drawing and rendering, to developing construction documents from project onset through completion.

Stephen Rezendes
Associate

Stephen grew up in the city of Boston, spending much of his youth in the backdrop of urban parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Combined with summers spent maintaining historical landscape sites in and around the Boston area as well as frequent trips to Cape Cod, Stephen developed a great interest and appreciation for a wide variety of the design styles of the built landscape, with a particular interest in the landscape’s connection to history.

Prior to joining the DGLA team, Stephen earned his Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While studying landscape architecture, Stephen gained experience as a landscape designer in residential gardens of Boston’s historic South End, and further supplemented this experience by working with landscape contractors on high-end residential gardens around Massachusetts.

Stephen is a licensed Landscape Architect in the state of Massachusetts and aids in the creation of construction documents and details, as well as rendering and digital graphics. By combining his practical field knowledge with his software skill set, Stephen offers a grounded perspective in garden design to the team.

Shangyuan Li
Associate

Shangyuan grew up in a mountainous suburb in Tianjin, China, where she spent her childhood exploring farmlands, reservoirs and forests. The appreciation for plants and natural landscapes led her way to be a landscape designer. She loves to experience landscapes all over the world, she has traveled Japan, Spain, Italy and lived in France for a year. She is fascinated by the beauty and delicacy of traditional gardens, in which she developed a passion for carefully managed environment and fine crafted design work that speaks to its natural and cultural surroundings.

Prior to joining DGLA in 2018, Shangyuan has worked at municipal institute and international landscape design firm where she gained valuable experience in concept design, planting design and construction documentation. She earned her Master of Landscape Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design where she was experienced in designing natural dynamics with artistic interventions. Prior to obtaining her Master’s Degree Shangyuan obtained a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Landscape Architecture from Tongji University in China.

At DGLA Shangyuan is a designer who contributes to the preparation of schematic package, site plans and construction details. Her skillsets in landscape design and representation software make her resourceful in solving design problems and making graphic representations.

Caroline Horgan
Senior Designer

Caroline grew up in Saratoga Springs, NY where she spent much of her childhood exploring and appreciating the adjacent Adirondack Park. This necessarily shaped her view of the landscape and inspired a passion for horticulture and preservation. Throughout her upbringing in Saratoga Springs, a small historic town in upstate New York, Caroline developed an appreciation for historic homes and residential design.

Caroline earned her master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in 2020 and soon after joined the team at DGLA. Prior to her studies, Caroline worked as a fine gardener and at a nursery in the Boston area, increasing her knowledge in plant maintenance, species, and health. Throughout her time at school, she interned at both residential and commercial firms, becoming apt at both small and large-scale design. Before completing her degree, Caroline earned the American Society of Landscape Architects Student Honor Award which recognizes academic achievement and design competence.

Caroline’s background in environmental science and ecological preservation brings a unique skillset to DGLA, where her work includes the development of construction documents, schematic designs, and digital renderings.

Winfield Henry
Senior Designer

Winfield grew up in a suburb of Boston where he developed a love for exploring the nearby coastal and woodland landscapes throughout Massachusetts and New England. This curiosity would lead him to spend a decade in the mountains of Colorado, gaining invaluable experience understanding the varying scales of a landscape. Winfield’s love of the outdoors drew him to landscape architecture and his passion for residential design.

Prior to joining DGLA in 2022, Winfield worked for several years as a mechanic in Southwestern Colorado. Furthering his knowledge of the built landscape, Winfield worked for a small contracting firm specializing in custom residential landscapes. He earned his Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2022.

At DGLA, Winfield assists in the production of construction documents and details, digital graphics, and 3D modeling. He blends his diverse background with technical and design knowledge, adding a well-rounded perspective to the team.

Kerran Holmes
Senior Designer

Kerran grew up in Eastern Massachusetts, where she spent her childhood experiencing nature with her father. Inspired by his rich passion for gardening and biology, she developed a fascination with plants and outdoor exploration from a young age. Her yearning for exploration brought her to Europe, where she discovered her interest in spatial organization and people’s perception of space in the landscape. This interest, combined with her curiosity about plants, led her to study landscape architecture.

Kerran earned her Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  During her studies, she developed a keen interest in material choice as it relates to space, history, and site context. Informed by her studies and her pervious experience in landscape construction, Kerran developed a passion for residential landscape design and joined the DGLA team shortly after graduation.

At DGLA, Kerran creates and develops construction documents, produces digital and hand renderings, and prepares presentation materials.

Amelia Scofield
Senior Designer

Amelia spent her childhood exploring coastal Maine, where she developed a love for the New England landscape. Inspired by her community’s appreciation for the land and sea, she became interested in design and the functionality of landscape. Amelia has a passion for creating beautiful leisure spaces in the landscape, and the ways in which small details shape the overall experience of a space.

An internship at a West Coast landscape architecture firm allowed Amelia to gain experience in landscape design and to translate her academic skills to professional skills. Prior to joining DGLA in 2022, Amelia earned her Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

As a Landscape Designer, Amelia contributes to project design development and the creation of construction documents, utilizing her skills in CAD, 3D modeling and digital graphics.

Wyatt Collins
Senior Designer

Hailing from Southeastern Massachusetts, Wyatt grew up on the shores of Buzzard’s Bay before moving further inland to a town on the banks of the Taunton River, both in historic Plymouth County, a region known for its agrarian landscapes and leading role in cranberry production. The rural character of the surrounding area fueled Wyatt’s love of the outdoors, spending his days exploring local waterways and trails. From his experiences both at home and while attending college in Western Massachusetts, Wyatt developed a love for the rustic beauty of rural New England.

Prior to joining DGLA in 2022, Wyatt had always had a love for designing and creating things. Growing up in an artistic household, he honed his skills in hand carving wooden sculptures as a hobby and side job. While in his first year of college at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Wyatt discovered the field of Landscape Architecture, a perfect melding of his interests in the outdoors and design and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture in 2022.

At DGLA, Wyatt is a landscape designer who puts his effort into designing and developing construction documents and details, as well as 3D modelling. These contributions to the design process help each project Wyatt works on become a reality.

Hannah Rasmussen
Senior Designer

Growing up in the Red Rocks Country of southern Utah, Hannah developed a love for the outdoors and an appreciation for the beauty of the landscape. Here, among the striking orange & red rock formations which uniquely characterize this desert environment, her family’s passion for gardening had early on established her interest in plants. After a pivotal trip to England, her enthusiasm for classical design and lush perennial borders kindled these formative interests, and she decided to pursue a career in landscape architecture.

Prior to joining the firm in 2023, Hannah worked at a plant nursery as both a designer and a fine gardener in Ithaca, NY. This hands-on experience allowed her to become familiar with the plant palette and materials used on the east coast. Hannah earned a Master of Landscape Architecture from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Brigham Young University.

As a Designer at DGLA Hannah brings a talent for both technical detail and an artistic eye. Her contributions to the studio range from developing designs which incorporate stone, plant materials and water, to the documents which communicate these designs utilizing hand drawings, 3D modeling and AutoCAD.

Lauren Rodgers
Designer

Lauren grew up surrounded by picturesque cacti in Arizona’s arid environment. She learned about landscape architecture at an early age when her home was redesigned to become an outdoor oasis within the desert. This project began her love for residential design and creating beautiful spaces. Lauren, since her time living surrounded by saguaros in Arizona, has had the opportunity to live within the farmland of central Pennsylvania, on the coastal bluffs of southern California, and in a charming small town in Georgia. Lauren draws on her experience and the unique qualities of each of these landscapes, for inspiration in her designs.

Lauren received a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia’s College of Environment and Design where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and was named President of Sigma Lambda Alpha National Landscape Architecture Honor Society. Among her significant academic achievements, she was privileged to travel to Croatia and Slovenia for study abroad. There, through the host institution of The University of Zadar, Lauren studied medieval architecture and landscape design, as well as gaining life experiences which further expanded her knowledge of architecture, culture and design. In addition to her academic training, Lauren was a design intern at DGLA where she developed skills in schematic design, construction documentation, detailing, AutoCAD, 3-D modeling and graphic design.

Lauren appreciates the artistry of Landscape Architecture, seeing it as a creative expression in which one paints the environment of the individual and community on the canvas of the landscape. In this endeavor Lauren brings together all she has learned in education, travel and practice, to create landscapes of function and beauty.

Vianne Lord
Designer

Growing up in rural central Massachusetts, Vianne developed an appreciation for the natural world through her family’s vegetable garden and her love of painting and drawing. These early interests led her to landscape architecture, where she could combine creativity with a passion for the outdoors. She is especially inspired by sustainable design practices that strengthen the connection between people and the landscape.

Vianne earned her Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Here she refined her design skills and explored the challenges of shaping outdoor spaces that are both functional and visually engaging. During her studies, she developed a strong interest in sustainable design and permaculture, which led her to pursue a Permaculture Design Certification.

At DGLA, Vianne contributes to project design development and the preparation of construction documents. She helps translate design concepts into technical drawings, ensuring that each project is both practical and well-executed.

Colby Zarba
Designer

Colby grew up south of Boston and moved to Martha’s Vineyard in his early teens, where he spent much of his time exploring the islands’ rolling hills and scenic coastlines. Here he fostered a deep appreciation for the beauty of The Cape and Islands, shaping his understanding of their natural landscape. His interest in the environment led him to employment in residential landscape construction. This provided him with valuable, hands-on knowledge of design, plant materials, and the challenges of creating outdoor spaces in these distinctive coastal regions.

Prior to joining DGLA, Colby earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Throughout his studies, he gained a deeper understanding of design principles, and how to balance aesthetics with functionality. His education, combined with construction experience, fueled his passion for residential design.

At the firm, Colby continues to draw inspiration from the landscapes of New England. His familiarity with the region’s diverse landscapes provides him with a grounded understanding of how to approach design in these areas. As a designer at DGLA, Colby assists with a broad range of project tasks, contributing to projects that are both functional and thoughtfully designed.

Maureen Gordon
Executive Assistant

Maureen grew up in coastal New England, spending summers sailing Boston Harbor and Buzzards Bay. Her love of the outdoors inspired study in Environmental Science at UMASS Amherst and she worked as a Marine and Environmental Chemist in California and in Massachusetts for many years.

While her husband Dan was establishing his practice, Maureen’s career led her to the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA) where she was hired to establish its Central Laboratory, which entailed everything from hiring staff to outfitting the lab. Maureen enjoyed watching DGLA evolve as Dan’s passion for thoughtful design and commitment to meeting client needs became increasingly well known in New England. Subsequently, Maureen’s dedication to the environment and hands-on management skills merged naturally to administering DGLA on a regular basis.

At DGLA, Maureen brings multi-faceted experience and grace to the day-to-day business operation and the firm’s public relations. Connecting all the dots, she provides administrative support to Dan and the DGLA team.

Ali Campbell
Creative Manager

Born and raised in the Boston area, Ali grew up gardening with her grandfather and exploring New England, sparking a lifelong interest in plants and nature. Inspired by the many artists in her family, Ali was drawn to creative pursuits from an early age. This, in combination with her love for exploration, led her to a career in photography and design.

Throughout her studies at Northeastern University, Ali held creative roles at several Boston-based companies and gained experience in strategic visual storytelling for brands. She co-founded a creative studio and went on to independently lead another, providing brand consultancy, design, and photography for clients around Boston as well as internationally.  An avid traveler, Ali has lived and worked on creative projects throughout Central and South America, Europe, and Africa. Her travels, both internationally and locally, have contributed to her interest in the relationship between landscapes and culture.

Her deep appreciation for craft and considered design is clear and consistent in her work. It was this appreciation, in combination with her growing fascination with plants, that led Ali to join the DGLA team in 2022. As the Creative Manager, Ali oversees the DGLA brand identity, manages the image library, and creates original visual media across digital and print media. Joining her experience with studio management and creative production, Ali collaborates with the team to maintain and grow the firm’s visual identity and brand.

Diane Lemkin
Financial Administrator

Originally from the suburbs of Boston, Diane currently resides in Needham, MA. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance & Management from Simmons College. Early in her career, Diane worked in various capacities within human resources and client services in the financial services and hospitality industries. She has worked with Dan and the team for many years, providing administrative support with a focus on the financial aspects of the firm, as well as assisting with day-to-day business operations.