Studio
In our fast-paced lives there is little opportunity to connect with nature. Outdoor experiences in gardens, parks and plazas become increasingly necessary for our health and well-being.
Thuilot Associates integrates horticulture, art, ecology and culture in expressive, one-of-a-kind public, commercial and residential landscape designs. Beautiful outdoor spaces are a medium for rich, meaningful experience. Artful landscape design refreshes our senses, elevates our mood, and rekindles our creativity.
We offer a broad range of landscape architecture services for commercial, civic and residential clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, developing projects at a variety of scales, from urban courtyard gardens to large corporate campuses. Thuilot’s award-winning residential work informs our public and commercial practice: we strive to establish a sense of intimacy and primacy of place in even the densest urban environments or highly trafficked public spaces.
Our experienced design team has expertise in integrating challenging settings into a coherent, inviting whole. We help architects, civic planners and owners find solutions for inventive, thoughtful land use.
At Thuilot Associates, our passion is creating compelling spaces that inspire people to live, feel and work better.
Detail
A focus on details enlivens landscape design. Our work in concrete, wood, steel, and stone allows Thuilot Associates to find innovative solutions for each site and client. Simple, useful, and harmonious, custom-made elements add refinement and originality.
Horticulture
Planting is a significant part of our designs. The Bay Area has a wide variety of microclimates that affect plant growth. We select species based on how well they will thrive, meet the design intent, and their maintenance needs. Combining a deep understanding of horticulture with ongoing research allows us to create stable, lush, and appropriate planting schemes.
Art
Our landscape architectural design is inspired by our work in the fine arts: attention to visual perspectives, sculptural elements, and spatial balance. The result is a harmonious relationship between landscape architecture and environmental art. In addition to works of sculpture Stefan Thuilot designs for many of our projects, our custom landscape elements such as walls, fire pits, benches and fences have a sculptural quality that evokes an emotional response.
Nature & Ecology
Incorporating natural systems into the design connects people with the essence of a site. We create resilient landscapes in a variety of ways, including using local materials, incorporating native and climate-adaptive plants, reducing waste, and encouraging biodiversity. We also consider fire prevention as part of our design process.
Incorporating natural systems into the design connects people with the essence of a site.
Culture
Every site has a history and ecological culture. We incorporate research and professional experience to design environments that attract people to linger: a sense of enclosure for socializing; perches for watching people; and effective use of sun, shade and wind protection for comfort. We achieve cultural resonance by integrating the short- and long-range history and social traditions into a landscape.
Permanency
Enduring landscape design is timeless and resilient. Thuilot Associates crafts its custom-built elements to be elegant and durable, maturing with the patina of time, yet unalterable and iconic.
Enduring landscape design is timeless and resilient.
Getting it Built
Extensive construction experience informs our landscape design approach; our custom elements are as practical as they are design-forward. We know from the start of a project how and when to stage the next phase in the process so that work continues efficiently. We also work with a broad base of extraordinary artisans, fabrication experts, and contractors so that every project is assembled with the greatest skill.
Collaboration & Communication
We are always eager to collaborate with clients and our extended teams of professionals—and they enjoy learning from us. This fruitful cycle creates better projects and solid relationships. We listen, adapt, and communicate often.
Studio
Our studio’s diverse talent pool and combined years of professional experience contribute to the quality and efficiency of our work. Our staff includes licensed landscape architects; an in-house arborist; Bay-Friendly qualified professionals; a LEED accredited designer; and designers with construction, arts, horticulture, and ecology backgrounds. We are passionate about our projects at every phase of design and construction.
People
Awards
2021 American Society of Landscape Architecture-Northern California Chapter
Merit Award for Design
Independence Drive
Menlo Park, CA
2020 American Society of Landscape Architecture-Northern California Chapter
Merit Award for Design
Menlo Place
Menlo Park, CA
2019 CLCA Trophy Awards
Outstanding Achievement
Atherton Modern Residence
2014 ASLA-NCC
Merit Award
Portola Valley Residence,
Portola Valley, CA
2013 American Society of Landscape Architecture-Northern California Chapter
Merit Award
Jepson Residence
Oakland, CA
2013 ASLA-NCC
Merit Award
Private Residence
Palo Alto, CA
2012 American Society of Landscape Architecture-Northern California Chapter
Honor Award
Stein Residence
Orinda, CA
2011 American Society of Landscape Architecture-Northern California Chapter
Merit Award
Marshall Residence
Portola Valley, CA
2011 Sunset Dream Garden Awards
Editor’s Pick
Lutz Residence
Alamo, CA
2006/2007 Sunset Dream Garden Awards
Grand Prize
The Ott Garden
Walnut Creek, CA
2006/2007 Sunset Dream Garden Awards
Award of Excellence
The Rebmann Garden
Berkeley, CA
2005 Pool & Spa News
Masters of Design
Category: Water Features
The Ott Residence
Walnut Creek, CA
2004/2005 Sunset Western Garden Awards
Award of Excellence for Outdoor Living
Cotton Residence
Orinda, CA
2002/2003 Sunset Western Garden Awards
Award of Excellence for Small Space Gardens
Brewster/Halloway Residence
Walnut Creek, CA
2002/2003 Sunset Western Garden Awards
Award of Excellence for Regional Gardens
Godfrey Residence
Lafayette, CA