Landscaping & Design/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can answer almost any question related to design, installation, general pricing of landscaping and hardscaping. I can also answer questions related to pools, water features, ponds, lighting, grading, drainage, walls, patios, decks and much more. However, I am not a horticulturist nor an entomologist, so I usually cannot answer questions on pests or diseases of plants.

Experience in the area

I have been working in landscaping since I was 8 years old when I started mowing lawns for neighbors. My family owned a nursery in Florida when I was a teen and I owned and operated several lawn and landscape companies over the years. I have since completed 6 years of in Landscape Architecture at Purdue University and have a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture. I am a registered Landscape Architect in Georgia. I have been practicing professionally for 19 years all over the United States (Primarily though in Georgia, Florida, and the Caribbean Islands). I have worked for some of the best and most well know firms and personalities in landscaping and my work has been featured in the press and on TV. I was a featured Landscape Architect on HGTV's Landscaper's Challenge in the episode titled 'Field of Dreams'. My works have won awards including the ULI's inaugural sustainability award and many others. I have worked for the likes of Disney, the 1996 Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, REIT Post Properties(Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, NY, Tampa, Orlando), major builders like Pulte and Ryland Homes as well as many famous people including Georgia's Governor Roy Barnes. I know many of the plants in Georgia and Florida plus surrounding states. I have passed the Georgia Landscape Architects Licensure Exam and can legally call myself a Landscape Architect Lisc. # 001156
I am currently the Director of Design of a local Planning and Landscape Architecture firm and used to own and operate Amenity Architects LLC. You may see more detail at my personal website http://www.seanjmurphy.com. I am also the webmaster and director of content for the well respected landscape blog at http://amenityarchitects.com

Organizations

American Society of Landscape Architects, International Society of Arborists, Urban Land Institute, City of Smyrna Downtown Development Authority, City of Smyrna Downtown Task Force, City of Smyrna Urban Design Commission, City of Smyrna Economic Advisory Committee, Keep Smyrna Beautiful, Board Member Smyrna Community Garden

Publications

Landscape Architect and Specifier News, Atlanta Homes Magazine, Peach Magazine, Landscape Architecture Magazine, Coastal Living, Magazine

Education/Credentials

Pinellas County Center for the Arts 1984 - 1988, Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture - Purdue University, 1994, Mike Lynn Graphics Workshop 1994, University of Georgia Wetland Delineation Certification 1995, Post University Mini MBA 2000, Edinburgh College of Art - 1 year co-op 1993, Intern Smallwood Reynolds Stewart and Stewart Architects Atlanta1993, ISA Certified Arborist 2009

Awards and Honors

ASLA Merit Award 1994 Mined Land Project IN, ACI 1st Place for Hardscape Design / Installation 1999 Biltmore Atlanta. Coastal Living Idea House Design 2005/2006. South Eastern Flower Show People's Choice Award for best garden design, Town Landscape Architect for Serenbe Community the winner of 2009 Inaugural Sustainability Award. Several Grand Awards from MALTA for landscape projects Many more...too many to list.

Past/Present Clients

Disney Imagineers (while employed by others), Georgia Governor Roy Barnes, The State of Georgia, City of Suwanee Ga, City of Norcross Ga, City of Powdersprings Ga, City of Stockbridge GA, City of Sandy Springs Ga, Post Properties, Bayfair Homes, John Willis Homes, Pulte Homes, Serenbe Development, Mayor of Smyrna-Georgia Max Bacon, Sottish Rite Children's Hospital Farmer D Organics

What do you like about this subject?

I have been enamored with design, landscape and architecture since I was a child. I love being able to see my ideas become reality. I love that I can never learn it all. There are so many facets to this field that you can really keep learning throughout your career. There are so many plants to learn that you can never know them all.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I am in the process of getting reciprocity in several other states including FL, AL, TN, SC, & NC. I want to become CLARB certified. I also want to become certified with the Sustainable Sites Initiative when the program is released. I would like to venture more into repairing damaged landscapes to create more sustainable natural states.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

I was "green" before "green" was cool. The term "Green" has been stolen from my industry and we want it back! No matter what they say, a car will never be truly "Green" till it is made of 100% recycled content and powered completely by the sun...because that is what "Green" really is.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Plastic edging and weed mats really don't work. Don't buy rubber mulch or plastic pine straw. This stuff is terrible for the environment and is no different than burying tires in your yard. All these little pieces of plastic end up, years from now, spread out in the environment. Just imagine plastic pinestraw being used by birds for nests!