Simmonds & Associates Company Profile

ased here in the Bay Area, but with vision grand enough to capture the far corners of the world, Warren Simmonds and the team at Simmonds and Associates deliver premier landscape architecture and urban design. As founder of the firm, Warren Simmonds brings his training from the prestigious University of New South Wales, as well as more than 25 years applied expertise in the field of landscape architecture. Warren and the other associates have produced exquisite environments for commercial and residential properties in the United States, Australia, and ports in between.

Inspired Environments
Simmonds and Associates owes a great deal of its transformative magic to Warren's own passions for environment. He brings an emphasis on sanctuary and respite to every project, incorporating native plants, organic shapes and fluid transitions to enhance what nature suggests. His designs are not "granola" but they speak to a harmonious relationship with plants and landscapes. A self-confessed ornamental grasses guru and wizard of water, Warren Simmonds has been using low-water, low-maintenance design ideas for years. Following his Sydney, Australia education, Warren worked for landscape architecture firms in Burleigh Heads, Australia; Tokyo, Japan; and Sausalito, California before founding Simmonds & Associates in 1994. Examining the portfolio of landscapes here and on their Web site, one sees that Simmonds and Associates creates peaceful, inviting spaces, for public and private customers alike.

Collaboration and Creativity
For every client that comes through the doors of their lovely San Anselmo office, an associate at Simmonds is there to listen and respond. Together, customer and designer draft a manifest for the client's dreams and visions. Collaboration is key to the success of Simmonds and Associates' projects. Like all artists, designers and architects at Simmonds & Associates have a process by which they make the magic happen.

After a "big-picture" look at what exists at a given site and what the client would like, a master plan is devised to outline the basic thrust of a project. Clients are presented with options for consideration and sketches to help make the project clearer. After initial decisions are made, materials and costs are weighed and considered during the next refinement of the plan. Any significant change in landscape requires compliance with local regulations and permit applications; Simmonds and Associates handles applications, compliance, and requisite administrative duties, in lieu of clients navigating that maze of bureaucracy on their own. Next, detailed drawings must be made, both for bidding upon by contractors, or for working from by successful bidders. Bidding, negotiating and settling on final details are all handled smoothly and with utmost concern for customer satisfaction. Finally, the designers oversee implementation of the design to ensure that construction adheres to the plan. This stage may also include selection of specimen plants from nurseries or other natural element sources.

Beauty Over Time
Although the final step is the implementation, Warren points out that it is never really finished. "Landscapes evolve over time; they aren't static, like architecture," he said. Warren also insists that the best designs are those that mature and, perhaps with some guidance, last for years. Never too busy to attend to this aspect of his landscape architecture firm responsibilities, Warren Simmonds happily traverses grounds with his clients. If you are searching for a professional, inspired team to help you realize your outdoor environment's full potential, call Simmonds and Associates. Your sanctuary awaits.


---Genevieve Albers
Staff Writer
The Prime Buyer's Report