Shades of Green Company Profile

ismet. How else do two women, one from Norway and the other from Georgia, end up finding each other and starting a successful landscape architectural firm in Sausalito, California, together?

Tyler Manchuk earned a degree in Environmental Design from the University of Georgia and Ive Haugeland graduated from the Agricultural University of Norway with a Masters in Landscape Architecture. Both are licensed landscape architects, and, by chance, both ended up working at the same design firm. "We started talking right away," said Tyler. "Ive knew what she was destined to do; we talked and it was a perfect fit."

"We wanted to do contemporary, sustainable design," said Ive. "Between the two of us, we come up with creative solutions for whatever our clients are trying to do."

"We're affordable as well," added Tyler. "We love the design part, but we also push boundaries, using different textures, finding new technologies and materials. We try to find ways to do green design; those things haven't always gone hand in hand."

Lots of Peer and Client Recognition
Since opening their firm, Shades of Green Landscape Architecture, in 2004, Tyler Manchuk and Ive Haugeland have been receiving kudos and accolades from happy clients and their peers in the industry. Their creative, unique approach to green landscape design has caught the eye of the media as well. The two Marin County landscape designers have been featured as "Designers to Watch" in Design Magazine. Sunset Magazine is featuring them in 2008 for this year's Idea House, Dwell Magazine commissioned them for their design conference. The ABC television show, A View From the Bay featured one of their projects and HGTV will air a piece on another project later this year.

Sustainable Landscape Design at Shades of Green Landscape Architecture
From the outset, Ive and Tyler knew they wanted to design landscapes that melded the needs of humanity with the needs of nature. The concept of sustainability rises to the top when they speak about their work; they are both adamant about creating landscapes that are in harmony with the local environment and the wishes of the landowner. Both, according to their Web site, are responsible for sustaining the site over time.

To that end they will conduct a site analysis and create a conceptual and schematic design tailored to that specific site—there is nothing cookie-cutter about their approach; each design is unique to the environmental properties of the site and the vision of their client. Blending these two concepts into beautiful, usable designs is where this dynamic duo shines.

Shades of Green Landscape Architecture now has two employees in addition to Ive and Tyler, who say they look for employees who demonstrate passion and creativity. "We treat them like family," said Tyler, "like we would want to be treated." There are also two office dogs, Baci and Veda, who come to the Sausalito office each day (where they mostly sleep).

Full-Service Architectural Design
The small but forward-thinking landscape design firm can not only provide cutting-edge landscape design, they can also create masterful illustrations, help with landscape contractor bid selection, provide permits and other legal paperwork and oversee and manage the project during construction. They have several trusted, experienced contractors whom they have worked with over the years that understand their vision.

"We combine the latest technology with unique and creative design solutions," said Tyler. "We can deliver practical solutions that meet our clients' needs and meet environmental concerns."

A Part of the Community
Both Tyler Manchuk and Ive Haugeland donate their time and expertise to community projects as well, such as garden programs for special-needs children. As time passes they plan to grow Shades of Green Landscape Architecture, but "we're not in any hurry," said Tyler. "We've been fortunate to have some great clients and we like being able to give lots of attention to each project."

Shades of Green Landscape Architecture offers the perfect recipe for success: Combine sleek, modern Scandinavian design, fold in the soft, seamless splendor of the south and marinate in the beauty and vision of the Bay Area.


---Jim Brumm
Staff Writer
The Prime Buyer's Report