If you'd like to read a bit more about my experience and project history... Over the last 20 years, I've been fortunate to work on some incredible outdoor spaces around the world. After graduating from the University of Florida in 2006, I relocated to Seattle and joined Belt Collins, a firm known globally for their planning and landscape architecture work. Early on at Belt Collins I found myself designing and managing an ambitious offshore island-sculpting project in Dubai, known as “Oqyana” which was slated to become the flagship mixed-use hospitality destination for the iconic project, “The World”. My experience with Oqyana and the inspiring professionals it attracted (Michael Bedner of HBA, and Bill Helmuth of HOK) ignited a passion for themed design that never left me, even as my design career would vastly expand beyond hospitality. When the 2008 financial crisis abruptly halted such ambitious endeavors, I pivoted to master planning projects, primarily across China and the Middle East. This period was transformative as I gained critical experience working on large-scale master plans for every project type from coastal resorts in Hainan and new cities outside of Beijing, to hotels in Abu Dhabi and waterparks in Kuala Lumpur. While the scale and impact of these projects was exciting, I eventually chose to leave Seattle and moved to Atlanta, GA, where I joined Perkins&Will, a large interdisciplinary design firm that was just growing their landscape architecture practice. I was excited to be working closely with leading architects on some of the world’s most prominent projects, with a focus on building exceptional work. I knew such experience would allow me to grow to my fullest potential and am fortunate to have spent the last 15 years with them designing for the public realm across the US and abroad. My international experience at Perkins&Will has been diverse and rewarding. I’ve designed healing gardens for the King of Saudi Arabia, a university master plan in Erbil, Iraq, contributed to prominent developments in Istanbul, such as the Third Bosphorus Bridge and Airport City, and returned to Dubai to build a luxury pool deck. Over time, my career shifted from global projects to domestic work, where I could reconnect with my passion for hospitality and thematic design at a more intimate scale. With Atlanta Dairies winning a National ASLA design award in 2021, I was reminded of how much I love connecting design with meaningful narratives and just how powerful a story can be as a design tool. Since then, I’ve received multiple regional and state awards for work like rooftop amenity decks, healing courtyards for behavioral health hospitals, and thematic pedestrian bridges. Throughout all my projects, narrative design remains central, using the unique story of a place to guide and enrich the experience. As I continue to explore new narratives through my work at Perkins&Will and my private residential practice, SUMMERFORDDESIGN, I’m excited to collaborate with clients to bring meaningful design stories to life.