Inside the LA Studio—LaGuardia Design Group - 1.25 PDH (LA CES/non-HSW)

LaGuardia Design was founded in 1994 as a one-man landscape architecture firm in Southampton, New York. From the beginning, the ambition has been to create beautiful and enduring landscapes. Christopher LaGuardia, the firm's founder, gradually grew the company, finding skilled designers to create the firm's sustainable, simple, aesthetic environments. Presently, the firm is led by head principal, Christopher LaGuardia, and partners, Ian Hanbach and Daniel Thorp, specializing in high end residential and commercial spaces. The firm's original and effective design solutions have been implemented throughout the United States, Asia, and the Caribbean, and recognized in numerous publications.

With a strong belief in creative collaboration between clients, architects, and consultants, the firm works towards expressing the best character of each site while meeting the requirements of program, schedule, and budget. The LaGuardia style and design language continues to evolve creating a brand recognized for its environmental stewardship, historic references and meticulously designed outdoor spaces.

Learning objectives:

Explore the origin, culture, and fundamentals of the LaGuardia Design Group.
Gain insight into the design process with emphasis on collaboration, aesthetics, and environmental sustainability.
Delve into high end residential case studies on the East End of Long Island that exemplify the firm's focus of balancing ecological practices with beautiful, livable spaces.
Future of the firm, looking ahead at goals and aspirations for the future of LDG and the landscape architecture profession.

Christopher LaGuardia, FASLA

Principal

LaGuardia Design Group

For 30 years, Christopher LaGuardia, PLA, FASLA, has been committed to the advancement of landscape architecture on the eastern end of Long Island. In his practice, he integrates the needs and habitat of people with the natural landscape in clear and understandable terms.

Over the years, his award-winning work has garnered local and national recognition. Mr. LaGuardia lectures widely on the social and natural influence of his design, and the profession’s value overall. Most recently, his ongoing relationship with The Cultural Landscape Foundation in Washington, D.C., has brought nationwide attention to his work.

Daniel Thorp, ASLA, PLA

Partner

LaGuardia Design Group

Since joining the firm in 2007, Daniel has overseen the design and construction of numerous large-scale projects with a focus on the environmental impact of residential development on some of New York’s most sensitive waterfront sites. Daniel has lectured at Cornell and Syracuse University, sits on the Parrish Art Museum’s Landscape Pleasures committee, and currently resides with his family in Sag Harbor, NY.

Ian Hanbach, ASLA

Partner

LaGuardia Design Group

Ian joined the firm in 2005, and since then has designed and managed a range of award winning residential, commercial, and institutional projects. With a focus on a collaborative process, he believes much of the firm’s success stems from an open design dialogue with talented design professionals, contractors, and craftsman.
Ian has lectured on a range of topics, sits on the Parrish Art Museum’s Landscape Pleasures committee, and is actively engaged in the community of Hampton Bays, where he and his family make their home.

Charles Birnbaum, FASLA

President + CEO

The Cultural Landscape Foundation

Prior to serving as TCLF President + CEO, Birnbaum spent 15 years with the National Park Service and a decade in private practice in NYC. Birnbaum was a Loeb Fellow at Harvard’s GSD, and a Rome Prize recipient. He was awarded ASLA’s LaGasse Medal (2008), President’s Medal (2009) and the ASLA Medal (2018). He served as a Lecturer in Landscape Architecture at Harvard’s GSD (2020-); Visiting Professor, Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture (2011-16), and Glimcher Distinguished Professor, Ohio State (2007). In 2021, TCLF unveiled The Oberlander International Prize in Landscape Architecture, a permanently endowed Prize with a $100,000 purse.