DEEPLY ROOTED IN PLACE
We connect humans to the places we craft. We dig deeply to gain an understanding of each region– the land, the environmental impacts, the culture and history.
We develop a strong understanding and respect for the land with our deep-dive analysis approach. We foster respect and reverence for a landscape and its history, listening deeply to people and the land.
At Surroundings, we are dedicated landscape architects and planners, proud to serve a diverse clientele throughout the captivating Southwestern United States. With over 50 years of combined expertise, our principals, Kenneth Francis and Faith Okuma, lead our team in crafting award-winning projects of all scales. Our comprehensive skill set spans landscape architecture, strategic and regional planning, community development, master planning, design guidelines, architecture, and site development.
Our mission is to create spaces that restore the relationship shared between people and place. We design for the next generation so that they may forge a new relationship with their environment. We craft thoughtful and sensitive spaces, through relentless devotion to discovery and reverence.
PEOPLE
KENNETH FRANCIS, FASLA
FOUNDING PRINCIPAL
Kenneth is the owner and founding principal-in-charge of Surroundings, a New Mexico based multidisciplinary design studio.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from The Cooper Union in New York City and a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. While studying at Harvard, he was awarded a travel grant to research the historic and cultural landscape of the acequias in Northern New Mexico. His dedication to complex dialogue and deep exploration around issues of water and its integration into innovative design responses has resulted in an exceptional body of work that is celebrated and studied both regionally and nationally. Highlights of his work and achievements include: ASLA Design Excellence Awards for exemplary projects throughout the southwest, national, regional, and local publication of his work in prestigious venues such as Landscape Architecture Magazine, World Landscape Architecture, and work with the public through interviews and media to elevate the public’s understanding of the challenges and practice of landscape architecture in the Southwest.
FAITH OKUMA, FASLA
PRINCIPAL
Faith Okuma is a Principal of Surroundings and a LEED Accredited Professional.
She brings distinguished experience through programming, planning and design expertise for public agencies and private clients throughout the American West. Notable projects that she has led include: Santa Fe Railyard Master Plan; Planning Services for Los Alamos National Laboratory; Rancho Viejo Master Plan and Implementation and the South Santa Fe Transit Oriented Neighborhood Study. Faith graduated from ASU and studied landscape architecture at Utah State University and the University of Arizona. She has been involved with numerous professional affiliations and boards and has presented at national conferences of the APA and the ASLA.
JOSEPH CHARLES, ASLA
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Joseph graduated from Rutgers University where he received his Bachelors of Science in Landscape Architecture.
Previously he was an Associate at the Santa Fe office of Design Workshop for almost six years. He is a licensed Landscape Architect in NM. As a designer, Joseph looks to balance the functional and aesthetic requirements of a project with the responsibility of creating environmentally sound landscapes that positively enhance our quality of life. Joseph has been working within the Southwest region for over twenty years, and has designed and managed a wide variety of urban, institutional, streetscape, and residential landscape projects.
ABBY FELDMAN, ASLA
ASSOCIATE
Abby received her Masters in Landscape Architecture from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design
She was awarded the Jacob Weidenman prize for outstanding ability and talent in design. After over a decade of working for award winning firms in Philadelphia, New York and Los Angeles, as well as dedicating five years to directing a Post-Katrina recovery project in New Orleans, she has returned to her home town, Santa Fe, to work with Surroundings. Abby has designed and managed a wide variety of projects from community gardens to public parks and living sculptures to private estates. Her passion is focused on community redevelopment, committed to the belief that every person deserves to benefit from living in or having access to a beautiful environment and that architecture is a powerful tool to build these places. Her work straddles the tension between the wild landscape and the insertion of infrastructure that underpins it all.
ANNA THOMAS, ASLA
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER
Anna received her Masters in Landscape Architecture from the University of British Columbia.
Her background in visual arts has led her to pursue creative projects within the field such as being 1 of 7 winners, along with a classmate, for the Intl. Garden Festival at the Jardin des Metis in Quebec. After graduating, she spent a year focusing on planting design of residential gardens before moving to Central New Mexico to work on a cattle ranch. There she learned about ecological restoration by way of regenerative grazing. Anna hopes to combine her creativity with her physical, practical experience to produce meaningful and dynamic landscapes that speak to the people and places from which they come.
WHITNEY COUCHOUD, ASLA
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER
Whitney brings a dynamic blend of academic prowess and practical experience to her role as a landscape designer.
Hailing from the scenic landscapes of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Whitney’s passion for the Southwest’s arid beauty and rich cultural heritage has been a driving force throughout her journey. Graduating from the University of Austin, Texas, with a Master’s in Landscape Architecture, Whitney’s academic pursuits have been distinguished by her dedication to preserving and reimagining historic and cultural landscapes. Her transformative work in reconceptualizing acequias during her Spring 2023 El Paso studio exemplifies her commitment to honoring heritage while embracing innovation. Inspired by Surroundings Studio’s design ethos, Whitney’s proficiency in architectural software, coupled with her keen eye for artistic representation, promises to elevate the studio’s creative endeavors. With a collaborative spirit and an unwavering optimism, Whitney is contributing her expertise and enthusiasm to the continued success of Surroundings.
Join our team. We’re looking for exceptional talent
Our studio is seeking those who are driven, passionate about landscape architecture, exhibit leadership, and have a wide range of skills to contribute to our work and our team. We offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package to our employees.
CLIENTS
Housing Authority City of El Paso
Hunt CompaniesHunt Real Estate Partner