THE TEAM
JOHN MERTEN, RLA, PRINCIPLE
EDUCATION: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Bachelor of Science, Landscape Architecture
EXPERIENCE: Mr. Merten's work is characterized by his ability to balance thoughtful, clear design ideas with real world budgets and physical limitations. With over 20 years experience in a wide range of project types he has a vast knowledge of building practices, plant knowledge and an understanding of people. His experience includes estate residential, commercial, public and private park lands and schools. Mr. Merten has led community workshops at numerous public spaces including San Francisco City parks and academic institutions. He has a talent for building consensus within diverse groups of individuals. His design work is unique and tailored to the needs of the use. His approach to each challenge is based on the premise that the perfect balance between all the competing needs can be reached and therefore the resulting design can be embraced and supported by the stakeholders.
As head of the design studio he provides design direction, monitors the budget, directs work flow and establishes an elevated level of creativity and thoroughness in detail development. John is interested in crafting smart, useful, and valuable exterior spaces, ones that will serve the public for years, and feel good to be in. His knowledge of materials and construction techniques allows him the freedom to put forward ideas that he knows can be built and conform to the limitations.
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LISA BUI, ASSOCIATE
EDUCATION: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
EXPERIENCE: Lisa Bui supports the studio with over eight years of experience throughout the Northern California area, developing and managing construction documents for both public and private projects. Prior to joining Studio Green, Lisa was a project manager and designer at VanderToolen Associates and Orsee Design Associates, specializing in residential communities, parks, model homes, urban infills, master-planned communities, streetscapes, and commercial developments. Additionally, Lisa has worked with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service producing and developing numerous published works for nationwide distribution, including fun, educational tools to promote backyard conservation to both children and adults.
Recently, Lisa has worked on high-end residential and commercial landscapes, managing the production of projects throughout the San Francisco Bay Area from the development of initial concept ideas to the completion of construction documents. Project duties generally include client meetings, coordination with design & engineering teams, production of design & construction documents, meetings with City staff, project approvals and permitting, contractor bidding and selection, and on-site observation during construction. Lisa specializes in actualizing ideas through color renderings in both freehand and digital formats, as well as designing a wide array of presentation materials.
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RAY PAPA, ASSOCIATE
EDUCATION: University of California, Davis, Bachelor of Science, Landscape Architecture
EXPERIENCE: Ray is one of the most versatile members of the team. Prior to joining Studio Green, HE has interned with Urban Rain Design and has worked closely with Principle Kevin Robert Perry on a variety of successfully integrated stormwater management practices such as the DC Water Green Infrastructure Challenge, Kennedy Green project in Washington DC
He hasworked on a wide variety of projects throughout the bay area consisting of Wineries, high-end residential, commercial and institutional centers. His daily attributes include interacting with clientele, project management, production of construction documents and design, and his biggest strength in visualizing conceptual designs through digital media.
Ray believes that design is the interpretation of opposing extremes, of conceptual and evident, natural and artificial, new and old. That a balance of both complexities help strengthen the design outcome, while relating to the intended needs of all living entitie
PEOPLE WOULD BE SUPRISE TO KNOW: I play Rec League basketball during the weekends and I make some mean Gauc.
ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOU: Imaginative
TYLER VAN PELT, DESIGNER
EDUCATION: University of California, Davis, Bachelor of Science, Landscape Architecture
EXPERIENCE:
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