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Biography
It was my first day, and my first “real” job, at a nursery and landscaping company. I would have never guessed early on that I would be so enamored by what could be done to beautify an outdoor environment. However, it was not too far into that first summer that I fell in love with what could be accomplished in such a short amount of time, and how beautiful landscaping could be.
That was 1992, and since then my jobs and my education have been centered in the field of landscape architecture. Even though it has been nearly 20 years since my first exposure to landscaping and the profession, it still amazes me how dramatic even the simplest of landscape improvements can make. Whether it be adding a new feature such as a deck or natural stone patio area, to the planting of trees, shrubs, and perennials the “wow” factor still gets me excited every time!
What I did not know when I began working on my degree in landscape architecture was truly what a Landscape Architect did other than design and draw landscaping for homes, businesses or institutions. While attending Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning I learned very quickly that this was going to be an integral part of my education, but there was much more to the profession than just that. Landscape architecture can be so many things other than planting design that it is difficult to describe to people just what I “do.” Many times I have found that simply describing the profession to people this way. I am an architect (and we know what they do), except I am a Landscape Architect and therefore get opportunity to work with every thing “outside” of a building.
This often entails the more typical residential and commercial landscape design, but also can include work such as: park and open space design, natural area design, production of construction drawings and specifications for landscape and site construction projects, photo imagery and hand drawn perspectives and sketches to illustrate landscape improvements, performing pre-purchase property evaluations to determine a parcel’s physical characteristics, constraints and opportunities through a detailed site inventory and analysis, to reviewing zoning and environmental restrictions and regulations. Also, as governmental regulatory agencies continue to expand their reach I have acted as agent for clients for the procurement of permits from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
That is one of the greatest things about the profession, having the opportunity to work on so many diverse projects, from the smallest landscape design and installation, to working with other design professionals on large development projects; I find them all equally exciting and fulfilling. I look forward to using my nearly 10 years of experience in Northern Michigan to provide my expertise to both existing and new clients.
I am anxious for the opportunity to work with you all!
Steven Fry RLA