Sona has over 25 years of experience in landscape architecture, site design, master planning, project management and CAD management. She is experienced in most aspects of landscape architecture including planting plans, grading, irrigation, design facilitation from conceptualization to construction management, specifications, cost estimating, details, presentation graphics, on-site materials placement, and QA/QC. Sona employs her infectious enthusiasm, creativity, knowledge, and playful mix of linear and lateral thinking towards solving her client’s design and technical challenges with site drainage, stormwater facilities, slope restoration, water treatment, and mitigation of wetlands and riparian areas. She is an advocate for well-located native plant species selection, low-impact sustainable design, climate-adapted cultural and ecological restoration, and advancing regional identity through mindful materials selection and a sensitive design approach. Sona excels in design technology management and modeling using Autodesk products and assorted plugins.
What is your favorite ESA moment/memory so far?
Being out at a project site on a rainy day, and everyone on my team was excited to be there, rain and all!
What keeps you coming to work here at ESA every day?
The people and the work!
What is your hidden or special talent(s)?
As a landscape architect I have many special talents: holistic design thinking, collaborative leadership, and a merging of natural sciences and art. Also, I write a mean haiku.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you are out of the office?
Sit at my piano and compose music.
If you had one free hour each day, how would you use it?
I’d walk to the nearest greenspace.
What are three skills that you bring to the ESA team? In other words, what should colleagues know to reach out to you about?
- CAD! All thing CAD related. Scoping a project, starting a project, closing a project. Let’s talk CAD.
- Restoration planting design, impacts, and mitigation
- Irrigation design – one of my little-known specialties
In a nutshell, what kind of work does your team do?
We’re landscape architects! And April is World Landscape Architecture Month. In the words of the ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects), “landscape architects break physical, cultural, and environmental barriers to create thriving communities.” Support your local landscape architect today!
Describe your role at ESA and the type of work you do.
I am the firmwide CAD Services Manager. See the ESA CAD homepage (https://inside.esassoc.com/in-house-services/Pages/CAD.aspx) for a summary. As a landscape architect, licensed in Washington and Oregon, I specialize in restoration planting.
