By Jill Schultz, Marketing Coordinator
In celebration of World Landscape Architecture month, I spoke with two of Osborn’s landscape architects, Kristin Kildall, PLA, and Sarah O’Neill, PLA to find out what drew them to landscape architecture and what makes them passionate about the work they do at Osborn.
Kristin and Sarah each have more than 20 years of experience in landscape architecture and work across disciplines to provide flexible support and resource-conscious creative and practical design solutions. In collaboration with current and future communities, local and state agencies, and project owners, they ensure the values of those using these spaces are reflected in the elements of the design no matter the project size or budget.
What led you to go into landscape architecture?
Kristin: Landscape architects have to be generalists, with creative, mathematic, organizational, social, written skills, and more because what we do is so broad. I love that each day, I get to stretch my skills in different areas.
Sarah: I had a fascination with design and nature from a young age. I originally thought of graphic design or architecture as a career, but luckily had a family friend tell me about the career of landscape architecture and gave me an internship in his firm after my first year of college.
What is your favorite part of what you do as a landscape architect?
Kristin: I’m definitely a generalist, so I think my favorite thing to do is whatever I haven’t done recently. Whether it’s digging into a planting plan, getting out in the field, meeting with a project’s design team or helping to develop a proposal, I am happy to do it all. Just not all the time, and that’s what makes landscape architecture so perfect. It never gets old, never repetitive, and always interesting.
Sarah: I really enjoy the different modes of work, whether it’s working through quality control comments or taking some precious hand drafting time and then bouncing back into a site visit. I like that I don’t have a chance to get bored and my week can be different from beginning to end.
Why are you specifically drawn to projects in the public realm?
Kristin: Every day, we are impacted by outdoor space. Whether it’s walking to the bus stop, hanging out with other new parents at the playground, eating lunch with coworkers on a plaza beach, or driving home after a long day, each small interaction can swing the proverbial needle to a positive day or a negative one. I like the idea that our thoughtful work can give someone a little more joy, relief, or respite in their daily lives.
Sarah: I think public work takes a lot of care and thought because of the various key partners and end users. It really is exciting from a programming perspective when you have multiple facets of your design being tugged at and refined over time.
What are you working on now?
Kristin: I am working on construction administration projects for Seattle schools and parks. It has been fun to see the progress. I find myself thinking about the kids who will be running out the door to the fields and play areas during recess or working on their catching skills at practices, and the parents and teachers in tow. There are a lot of good people working hard to bring these places to life and I am excited to see them filled with activity!
Sarah: So much fish passage restoration! And a couple of community centers. They are two totally different types and take different parts of my brain to work through.
What is the best part about working on Osborn’s landscape architecture and urban design team?
Kristin: There is so much! But, if I have to choose, then I would say that I am constantly inspired by internal mission of everyone in the group to do good. Everyone on the team is motivated to solve problems for their clients and the users of the spaces they design, and they bring creativity, expertise, and joy to that goal. I know that I can come to anyone with questions or ask for help and people will dive in to solve whatever question I have.
Sarah: We have the best and kindest folks on our team. They really are good about supporting and uplifting each other. They are all awesome about getting out and working with the community in many different capacities and volunteer efforts. I feel really honored just to be in their midst.
Do you have any advice for students looking to go into landscape architecture as a career?
Kristin: When I first explored the career, I took an introductory class at the University of Washington and got a couple part time administrative jobs at local firms to get a sense of what the culture was like. I highly recommend attending some events, doing informational interviews, shadowing someone, or getting a job at a firm to see if it’s a good cultural fit and if it’s the environment you want to be in day to day, prior to going for your degree.
Sarah: Your career is uniquely yours and you get to make of it what you want. Take time to explore different avenues and different types of design and don’t be afraid of the change that will happen in a long and rewarding career!
Thank you, Kristin and Sarah, for taking the time to share your insights about landscape architecture with us! We are so glad to have you onboard at Osborn and look forward to impactful contributions you will continue to make to the communities we work and live in.
