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ABOUT

Kiesel Design

Jack Kiesel, Landscape Architect/Founder & Principal

Jack Kiesel is an award-winning graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture. He has acquired over 27 years of experience in landscape architecture, urban design, graphic art, native wildland restoration, and planning. He is licensed as a Landscape Architect in California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, & Oregon.

 

Jack Kiesel's work has been featured in Dwell, Green Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Central Coast Magazine, Edhat, Landscape Architecture, Luxury Gardens, This Old House, The Los Angeles Times, Sunset, Ventana, 805 Living and the cover of Wine Country Living.

Jacks interests in ecology and art are what sparked his pursuit in Landscape Architecture. His firm is based in Southern California, primarily serving Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles Counties. He resides in Ventura, CA with his wife Izumi and enjoys surfing and fishing in his spare time.

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Michael Sanchez, Landscape Architect/Professor

Mike is a registered landscape architect with more than 25 years of experience spread over the western states of California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. He is an assistant professor of practice in landscape architecture at Washington State University. His practice career spans the design typologies of commercial, mixed-use and urban design including green stormwater infrastructure; hospitality and resort design; civic, cultural and institutional projects such as educational and medical facilities, museums as well as regional and local parks and open space design; and many housing and community development projects, both affordable and market rate. Creating community and a sense of place at a local scale, through excellent design using the processes of community engagement is a passion of his.

 

As a professor of landscape architecture, his teaching focuses on all design phases (conceptual, design development, construction documentation and construction administration). He particularly enjoys inspiring his young students by introducing foundational drawing and helping them to observe and document our built environment. Mike also teaches design studios, site engineering, storm water management, and the construction technology and documentation series. He advises the student chapter of NAMLA (National Association of Minorities in Landscape Architecture) and as part of meeting the university’s land grant mission, he co-directs the school’s Rural Communities Design Initiative (RCDI), a university/community partnership with a passion and concern for using the design of the built and natural environment to improve the quality of life for underrepresented populations and compromised landscapes in the Pacific Northwest.

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Brian Jordan, Senior Project Manager/Designer

Brian received his Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He is a licensed landscape contractor who started his own design-build landscape business, focusing primarily on residential work. Brian has combined his previous job experiences in plant sales and project management to develop a well-rounded approach to landscape design and implementation. He embraces the learning process and enjoys the complexity that many landscape architecture projects demand.

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Sasha Colbert, Project Manager/Designer

Sasha Colbert recently completed her master's in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona. She received her undergraduate degree at UCLA, in Studio Art. Sasha aims to employ her graduate study in landscape architecture, training in fine art, and professional experience in landscape construction, to design environmentally and socially regenerative landscapes. Her professional goals include becoming a licensed Landscape Architect and working to improve urban greenspaces and native plant biodiversity wherever possible. 

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Zach Kirchwehm, Junior Project Manager

Zach Kirchwehm is a recent graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, specializing in Landscape Architecture with a minor in Sustainable Environments. As a Junior Project Manager, he is passionate about ecological systems and adaptive resiliency. Zach's professional ethos revolves around creating meaningful, sustainable designs. He values continuous learning and enjoys travel, having explored Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam after his 2023 graduation.

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Ken Pitts, Junior Project Manager

Ken is a diligent and detail-oriented CAD drafter who recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Architectural Studies from UCLA. During his academic tenure, he developed a strong foundation in architectural design principles, drafting techniques, and the use of industry-standard software tools like Vectorworks, AutoCAD, and Rhino. Through internships and work experiences, Ken has gained practical knowledge in collaborating with landscape architects, architects, and project managers, effectively contributing to the development of architectural plans and construction documentation. His ability to understand and interpret design specifications, coupled with his strong communication skills, enables him to thrive in a team-oriented environment.

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Megan Lassen, 

Megan Lassen holds a Master's of Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona. She has a deep connection to California, having lived in the Central Coast, North Coast, Central Valley, and Southern California. Passionate about California native plants, she is dedicated to creating landscapes that support biodiversity and enhance people's physical and emotional well-being. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys hiking, running, listening to audiobooks, and spending time with her family.

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Izumi Kiesel, Managing Partner

Izumi is a graduate of California State University Channel Islands with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. She is an experienced accountant and business manager working in both the private and public sector. She excels in the financial and administrative aspects of the business and is involved in strategic planning and development. She enjoys international travel, swimming, skiing and hiking.

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