ABOUT LADD MODERN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE LICENSE #5326.

Bob Ladd, Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture’s owner, obtained licensure in 2008. Licensure in landscape architecture enables Ladd Modern to: ¹

Design complete landscape plans, including details and specifications for: Grading; Drainage & surface treatments; Soil improvement; Outdoor landscape structures; Planting; Irrigation; Water components; Lighting and many other elements of landscape design.
Draw up plans for clients to hand to contractors for construction bids. Or so they can do the construction themselves.
Collaborate with other design professionals as needed to obtain approval for construction of projects.
Inspect or meet with construction professionals on landscape construction projects, to ensure that the work gets done right.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE can enhance your property’s value and allow you to do so much more. Studies have shown that patients recovering in a hospital recover faster and ask for less pain medication when there is a good view from their room. (Ulrich 1984, Science, 224, 420-421; see also Verderber 1986, Environment and Behavior, 18, 450-466.) By stimulating the senses, we can enhance well-being. Landscape architecture is not just about property value. Ask us about healing gardens, mourning gardens and contemplative labyrinths or mazes.

Regarding play areas, children seem to want to hide, but their caregivers have a need to know where they are at all times. We can help sort out and balance those needs. And when the children grow up, what do you do with their part of the yard? We can help you plan. A vegetable or herb garden can yield more than produce. Sometimes shared interests can draw families together.

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Bob Ladd began his landscape contracting business in 1983, as Ladd Modern Landscapes. He designed, installed and maintained landscapes alongside Ladd Modern Sprinkler Company, which began doing business in 1955 under the stewardship of Bob’s father. Bob inactivated the landscape contractor’s license in 2005, to work full time doing landscape design and then landscape architecture. The license was no longer needed and was allowed to lapse. These years of experience provide a depth of knowledge about how your new landscape will stand the test of time.

PEST CONTROL OPERATORS CERTIFICATE #130552, Category “Q”

Continuing education is required to maintain certification as a pest control operator. We utilize Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices in the design of landscapes, knowing the strengths and vulnerabilities of a landscape design. Restraint in the use of pesticides is of the utmost importance. IPM is not just about the plants and pests that attack them, but also about incorporating the best cultural practices into the design and maintenance, to ensure your comfort, health and safety within the landscape. The goal is to avoid pesticide use when and wherever possible.

Please note that we do not provide pest control advisory services. But Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture can suggest best cultural practices to help make your landscape more resilient in the face of challenges.

Category Q certifies competency to establish and maintain landscaped areas. For example, some plants do well in the sun, but get attacked by pests when stressed or located in the shade. We keep up with the latest pest invasion, to inform our choices of plant materials. Other plants need special soil and nutrients to perform at their best.

BOB LADD’S WORK EXPERIENCE:

Bob started working as an apprentice in his family’s irrigation company, Ladd Modern Sprinkler Company. He first attained licensure as a landscape contractor in 1983. By then Bob’s brothers had taken over Ladd Modern Sprinkler, which their father started in 1955. Ladd Modern only does landscape architecture now.

Bob’s strong point is making cohesive and sustainable landscapes that contribute to making cities livable. We strive to fit our projects into their settings, in the least disruptive way.

In addition to landscape contracting experience, Bob Ladd has been:

A construction project manager in a real estate development firm. This involved architectural design review, estimating, materials and services procurement, permit processing, inspection & final approval of projects from single-family homes to hundred-unit apartment buildings.
Supervisor in a landscape contracting business of as many as twelve individuals, simultaneously coordinating landscape maintenance on multiple sites that totaled hundreds of acres.
A general maintenance worker experienced in concrete, masonry, painting, being a glazier and carpenter, as well as doing plumbing and some electrical work.

BOB LADD’S EDUCATION:

Bob graduated with honors in 2005 from a five-year program in Landscape Architecture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. After obtaining the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Degree, he passed the four-day licensure exam.

Bob’s “design roots” are in Modernist thinking with significant influences from Urbanism. As land value escalates, Ladd Modern Landscape Architecture can help to adapt and utilize every square foot possible. We strive to provide an overarching design that fits into its surroundings, avoiding a slapped-together look. We want to help prevent the unnecessary removal of previously installed works.

Bob attended Los Angeles Pierce College studying Ornamental Horticulture.

Along the way Bob learned to converse in Spanish. Proficiency is not to the level of comfort writing contracts, specifications, etc., in Spanish though.

Note that the services we ultimately perform for you will be spelled out in the contract between us. The information provided on this website is to give you an idea of what we can do for you. Some services are not needed, desired nor included in all projects. All plans are schematic in nature. Figures we give for work areas or quantities are to help you obtain the optimal comparison between installation price quotes. Contractors and installers must become familiar with the site before taking on the work. ↩︎