Business Details
25 Years
experience
Award-Winning Landscape Architecture Services
TLS Landscape Architecture approaches every project as a unique collaboration between culture, ecology, and community needs. Our practice is rooted in the belief that landscapes must serve both practical and inspirational purposes, creating spaces that evolve with their environments. We work closely with communities to understand their values, translating them into designs that resonate with local identity while addressing functional requirements. Our focus on material craftsmanship and site-specific storytelling ensures each project feels both familiar and innovative. With decades of collective experience, we specialize in urban parks, campus planning, and public spaces that reflect the distinct character of their locations.Our award-winning work spans international boundaries, demonstrating how thoughtful design can transform underutilized areas into vibrant community assets. As a firm, we maintain strict adherence to ethical practices, professional standards, and environmental stewardship across all projects. Our reputation is built on consistent delivery of results that balance creativity with practical implementation. From initial concept through construction, we prioritize client communication and stakeholder engagement. This approach has earned us recognition through numerous national and international design awards.
Services
Park Design
Urban Planning
Sustainable Landscapes
Public Space Development
Campus Master Planning
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We integrate over 35 years of international design experience into every project
- Our community engagement model ensures designs reflect local needs and culture
- Recognized with multiple ASLA and WLA design excellence awards
- We maintain strict technical standards across material selection and implementation
- Expertise in transforming complex urban sites into functional public spaces
Associations and certifications
- ASLA
- WLA Awards
What people say
Transformative spaces
Exceptional craftsmanship
Community collaboration
Ecological sensitivity
Award-winning designs
Services
Park Design
Our park designs create vibrant community hubs that balance ecological function with recreational needs. We focus on creating accessible, durable spaces that reflect local character while incorporating sustainable practices. Each park is carefully planned to maximize usability across seasons and user groups.
Urban Planning
We develop comprehensive urban strategies that address connectivity, sustainability, and cultural identity. Our approach integrates infrastructure, green space, and community needs to create livable, adaptable urban environments that support long-term growth.
Sustainable Landscapes
Through material selection and ecological planning, we create landscapes that minimize environmental impact while maximizing functionality. Our sustainable approach considers water management, native plant selection, and climate adaptation strategies.
Public Space Development
We specialize in creating inclusive public spaces that foster social interaction and community engagement. Our designs prioritize accessibility, safety, and multi-use functionality while maintaining aesthetic coherence with surrounding environments.
Campus Planning
Our campus master plans balance academic needs with environmental stewardship to create cohesive learning environments. We integrate circulation patterns, green spaces, and building relationships to enhance both functionality and aesthetic quality.
People
Tom Leader
Principal / Founder
With nearly 35 years in landscape architecture, Tom Leader established TLS in 2001. A UC Berkeley and Harvard graduate, he's recognized for innovative urban park designs including Railroad Park and RIVERFIRST. His work combines ecological sensitivity with cultural storytelling.
Kathryn Drinkhouse
Senior Associate Technical Director
Kathryn specializes in translating complex designs into buildable realities. With over 20 years of technical expertise, she oversees project execution from documentation through construction across diverse scales including parks, campuses, and high-rise developments.
Sarita Govani
Senior Associate
Sarita leads interdisciplinary projects blending urban design and landscape architecture. With expertise in transit design and neighborhood development, she creates inclusive spaces that balance creative vision with practical implementation across public and private sectors.
Jiawen Chen
Associate Principal
Jiawen directs public space projects combining landscape architecture and design engineering. Her award-winning work includes Hangzhou Steelworks Park. A licensed landscape architect and LEED AP, she specializes in urban revitalization that merges cultural context with environmental solutions.
Shuang Zhao
Design Director
Shuang leads major projects including Ant Group Headquarters and Changzhou Central Park. With a decade of experience integrating Eastern aesthetics and Western modernism, she focuses on healing landscapes that balance ecological systems with cultural narratives.
Questions
What types of projects does TLS Landscape Architecture specialize in?
We specialize in parks, urban landscapes, campus environments, public spaces, and sustainable developments. Our portfolio includes award-winning projects like Railroad Park and Hangzhou Steelworks Park.
How does TLS approach community engagement in design?
We prioritize collaborative design through extensive community workshops, stakeholder interviews, and local culture studies. This ensures our designs reflect the community's identity while addressing practical needs.
What makes TLS's design approach unique?
Our approach combines cultural storytelling with ecological sensitivity. We focus on site-specific solutions that transform familiar elements into unique, memorable spaces while maintaining functional practicality.
Are TLS projects limited to specific geographic regions?
While based in Berkeley and Shanghai, we work internationally. Our projects span from California campuses to large-scale developments in China and public spaces across North America.
What professional accreditations does TLS hold?
Our team includes ASLA-certified professionals and LEED Accredited Practitioners. We maintain active memberships in prominent design and sustainability organizations.
