Employee Spotlight: Alix Kidwell

How has your career grown since entering the landscape architecture field?
Since starting my career, I have had the fortune of exploring both the creation of large public parks and small private gardens. While working at each scale has been extremely rewarding, I have found that residential design provides a special connection to the landscape that is not as attainable in the public realm.

What motivates you?
Art, design, music, people, ecology, food, everything! I love the practice of landscape architecture for many reasons, but one is its ability to bring life to a site. Each new project presents us with different goals, challenges, and styles that keeps it fun and exciting.

Who inspired you to pursue a career in landscape architecture?
A landscape architect by the name of Richard Murray. Many years before I was born, my mother was a refugee from the Vietnam War and after a year at a refugee camp, Richard Murray’s family sponsored my family’s full integration into the United States. As a visual, that entailed moving a seven person family into their home in Carmel for a year. Our families have remained close till this day and he was my first introduction to landscape architecture.

What project are you excited to be working on?
Ah, so many! However, there is one project we are currently working on in Atherton that will be a brand new home in the center of a few gorgeous heritage oaks. The design exploration has been a very fun process and the design team (including the architects) is predominately women, which has been an inspiring and novel experience for me.

What is your favorite food?
I can never decide between sushi or burritos, but they both have a special place in my heart/stomach.