Employee Spotlight: Angela Tamblin

What inspired you to pursue a career in landscape architecture?

I’ve always been inspired by beautiful design and architecture, but I decided to pursue Landscape Architecture after redesigning my own outdoor spaces in my new home a few years back. Although it was a fairly basic project, I thoroughly enjoyed it and knew that I could do better! I knew it would be a career that I would enjoy working in, day in and day out, making beautiful spaces for others.

How has your career grown since entering the landscape architecture field?

I am new to landscape architecture after a 15-year career in project management in Silicon Valley. Since joining Arterra I’ve learned so much! I’ve mostly been honing my tech skills by drafting plans, creating 3D models, and producing construction drawings. But most interesting to me is learning more about the design process, beginning to end, and how we utilize information from business colleagues like surveyors, architects, and engineers to inform our designs. I have loved being exposed to gorgeous designs and being part of the team creating new ones!

What motivates you?

I am motivated by using my creativity to create a beautiful, calming, and natural space that our clients love to come back to. I love that landscape design uses nature for both functional and aesthetic purposes. I really enjoy spending time in my own outdoor space, so to think that I am helping to create something that my clients will love just as much inspires me to get in tune with their desires and what the landscape has to offer.

What has been your favorite project so far?

I have enjoyed working on a project in Portola Valley, where I have been involved since day one, creating concept design options, fleshing out the design with plant and material palettes, and investigating different options at the client’s requests. I love the troubleshooting that design challenges bring to the design team, always keeps things interesting! I am excited to see the design installed and see the change actually take place on the property.

Favorite travel spot?

That’s a hard one! I grew up traveling a lot — I visited Machu Picchu when I was seven! I lived abroad in college, and continued to travel with my husband and friends as an adult. London is one of my favorite cities — and where I met my husband — so I’m always happy to visit! New Zealand is such an interesting place to interact with nature. Wide, expansive spaces and so many beaches. Endemic species of animals. Exotic plants that just happen to grow well in California too! I love how the style is a mix between English gardens/farms and tropical islands. With family in England and New Zealand, it’s hard to stay at home so much this year, but we’re making the most of it by traveling locally with our kids.