Business Details
46 Years
experience
Rene Fransen Landscape Architect in New Orleans
Rene Fransen Landscape Architecture has been shaping public and private spaces across the Gulf South for over four decades. Founded in 1980, our firm combines ecological sensitivity with timeless design principles to create functional, aesthetically compelling outdoor environments. Our work spans residential estates, commercial properties, and cultural landmarks, including projects featured in Architectural Digest and HGTV. As a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, we maintain rigorous professional standards while offering personalized consultations for clients seeking sustainable, contextually responsive solutions.Our expertise extends from historic preservation in New Orleans' French Quarter to large-scale developments like the Grand-Htel du Cap-Ferrat in France. With a career spanning over 40 years, we continue to provide select design consultancy services aligned with our core values of environmental stewardship and architectural harmony.
Services
Landscape Architecture
Residential Design
Commercial Projects
Ecological Design
Consultations
Planting Design
Pool Features
Preservation Projects
Horticultural Consulting
Event Space Design
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of experience in Gulf South landscape architecture
- Our designs integrate ecological sustainability with architectural harmony
- ASLA Fellowship demonstrates industry-recognized expertise
- Personalized consultations from award-winning practitioner
- Projects featured in Architectural Digest and HGTV programming
Associations and certifications
- American Society of Landscape Architects
Services
Landscape Architecture
Our landscape architecture services create functional, aesthetically compelling outdoor environments. We specialize in integrating natural elements with built structures to enhance property value and usability. With over four decades of experience, we deliver site-specific solutions that balance ecological sustainability with architectural harmony across residential, commercial, and cultural projects.
Residential Design
We craft customized residential landscapes that reflect homeowners' lifestyles while maximizing property potential. Our approach combines practical space planning with artistic elements like garden rooms and hidden nooks. From French Quarter courtyards to Southern estates, each design maintains ecological sensitivity while creating seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor living areas.
Ecological Design
Our ecological design practice prioritizes environmental stewardship through native plant selection and sustainable materials. We create self-sustaining ecosystems that reduce maintenance needs while supporting local biodiversity. This approach has been refined over 40+ years of Gulf South projects, addressing regional climate challenges while maintaining aesthetic excellence.
Consultations
Select design consultations provide direct access to our decades of landscape architecture expertise. We advise on project feasibility, plant selection, and site-specific challenges while maintaining our commitment to contextually appropriate solutions. These sessions offer actionable insights for both residential and commercial development projects.
Planting Design
Specialized planting designs create year-round visual interest while supporting ecological balance. We combine horticultural expertise with artistic composition to develop plant palettes that thrive in specific microclimates. Our approach ensures both aesthetic appeal and long-term sustainability through careful species selection and placement.
People
Rene J. L Fransen
Landscape Architect
Rene Fransen is a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects with over 40 years of experience. He graduated from LSU in 1977 and has shaped iconic spaces from New Orleans to the French Riviera. His work combines architectural precision with ecological sensitivity, earning recognition through ASLA Honor Awards and features in major design publications.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve the Gulf South region including Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas Hill Country, with select projects extending to Wisconsin, the Bahamas, and the French Riviera.
What project types do you handle?
Our expertise spans residential estates, commercial properties, cultural landmarks, and historic preservation projects, with a particular specialization in Gulf South architectural contexts.
How can I schedule a consultation?
Consultation requests can be submitted through our website contact form, which provides direct access to our design consultancy services for personalized project discussions.
What makes your approach unique?
We combine four decades of regional experience with ecological design principles, creating spaces that balance architectural harmony, functional usability, and environmental sustainability through contextually responsive solutions.
Are you accepting new projects?
While transitioning to semi-retirement, we continue offering select design consultancy services for projects that align with our vision of creating enduring, ecologically sensitive outdoor environments.
