CREATING SPACES THAT RESPECT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
BUILT AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS
SERVICES
LANDSCAPE MASTER PLANS
LANDSCAPE CONCEPT PLANS
BUDGETARY COST ESTIMATES
SUSTAINABLE, LOW IMPACT DESIGN
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
- HARDSCAPE DESIGN
- IRRIGATION DESIGN & HYDRAULIC CALCULATIONS
- PLANTING DESIGN
- LIGHTING DESIGN
SPECIFICATION PREPARATION
BIDDING ASSISTANCE
CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION, PUNCH-LISTS, RECORD DRAWINGS
Since 2001, KDA Landscape Architects Inc. has offered a wide range of landscape architectural services for both private companies and public agencies. KDA has experience in the development of a variety of projects such as educational facilities, religious institutions, health facilities, neighborhood parks, street scenes, public building sites, Housing Developments, and general consulting. We are expedient and thorough with our design processes, professional services, and communication which have resulted in our lasting relationships with clients.
Our approach is more intuitive, born out of our experiences, participation in life, education and love of learning. We thrive in natural balance which results in unique experiences and expressions.
HISTORY
KDA Landscape Architects Inc. has been located in East Village of downtown San Diego since 2013. Previously in Riverside County for 12 years and working in Desert climates allowed us to bring water conservation methods and passion to a climate where it was not the focus. Founded by Kathryn Kanaan to create spaces that respect the relationship between built and natural environments that are fun and functional for our clients and the community. As a Landscape Architectural firm we are a natural catalyst for many of the disciplines on the design teams and we always take the time to listen, learn, and improve our methods and coordination.
KDA Landscape Architects is a certified CA DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise), SWBE (State Women Business Enterprise), SB (Micro), City of San Diego SLBE (Small Business Enterprise) and Los Angeles Unified School District and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California SBE (Small Business Enterprise).
KDA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS IS A CERTIFIED DBE, SWBE, SB(Micro), SLBE FIRM
KATHRYN KANAAN, PLA, ASLA – Landscape Architect
Kathryn Kanaan is the founding Principal and established the firm in 2001. She has a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona and over 22 years of experience.
“I see every project and site as a puzzle of possibilities and intricacies that can be shaped together to create unique solutions.”
Kathryn is currently a member of the stewardship committee for the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) San Diego Chapter and in 2014 sat on the Executive Board as the Vice President of Programs / Education. She has volunteered weekly for the past 5 years preparing and feeding the homeless at Third Avenue Charitable Organization (TACO) located at First Lutheran Church in downtown. The love of service for people and place resulted in the combination of her passions and she participated as a District 3 team member in the Housing Affordability Workshops and Housing the Next 1 Million design charrette for San Diego. San Diego has no shortage of expensive housing, what we need is to focus on reduced affordable housing permit requirements.
JOY LYNDES, PLA , ASLA – Landscape Architect – Historic Landscapes Specialist
A graduate of University of Arizona MLA and historic studies certificate programs, Joy formed the Arizona SAGE Landscape Architecture & Environmental in 1996, which in 2010 she sold to Kimley Horn & Associates, and after fulfilling a 3-year assignment with KHA in 2014 she relocated to San Diego and is one of KDA’s newest team members.
Joy oversees all aspects of the design and production, and maintains quality control on all firm work. Her projects have earned national and local awards and recognition in several national publications, and firms have received awards for business growth.
“I find it inspiring to give back to the community and profession, to bringing diverse voices together and to set direction for and design civic and public spaces.”
IMPORTANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- She is a Mayor appointed Encinitas Environmental Commissioner.
- Serves on the Board of the Encinitas Historic Society.
- Serves as Chair-elect for the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board, which is responsible for the review and accreditation of nearly 100 accredited programs throughout the US.
- Founded the San Diego Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architecture Historic American Landscape Surveys (HALS) Committee to identify, document, and protect historical landscapes in San Diego.
Residents of San Diego County for over 6 years, Joy and her husband, Rob live in the community of Encinitas. In addition to spending weekends volunteering for civic projects, gardening at their award-winning home water-smart landscape or hiking throughout San Diego County, you can find her paddle boarding on the beautiful coastal waters and lagoons of southern California.
A little-known fact about Joy is she works with her family in Vermont to manage the woodland her grandfather owned. Each spring as a child you could find her planting hundreds of white pine and spruce seedlings, and today she manages the land for the family under the Vermont Use Value Appraisal Program for preservation of undeveloped rural lands.
Kyle Simon, PLA – Landscape Architect
A graduate of California Polytechnic University in Pomona with a minor in Irrigation Science. Kyle has worked in the field of landscape architecture in San Diego since 2005. He has enjoyed working on both private and public works projects and he has been involved in all aspects of landscape architecture.
Kyle’s expertise includes project management, scheduling, team and client meetings, design and the development of construction documents, and construction administration.
Rick Dortch – Irrigation Specialist
Rick Dortch has been a leader in the irrigation industry since the mid 1990’s. He provides the most current knowledge of materials and methods of hydraulics, design and auditing. Ricks designs are based on real world experiences so the systems can be built the way they are designed. He considers many variables when coming up with the best pre-planning and design solutions that work with the planting not against it.
Rick’s expertise include irrigation design, detailing, and specification preparation.
OUR WORK
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