Steven R. Sutherland, Principal

Registered Landscape Architect: California #2805
Licensed Landscape Contractor: California #407136
Certified Playground Safety Inspector: #5627-0303
Member, American Society of Landscape Architects
University of California, Berkeley; Certificate in Landscape Architecture
Butte Community College, Chico; Ornamental Horticulture
Professional Advisory Board for the Landscape Architecture Program
University of California, Berkeley, University Extension
1994 Sustainable Business Quality Award
1998 Elena Baskin Award, for contribution to Santa Cruz County Schools
2000-1 Sunset Magazine Western Garden Design Award of Excellence

Since establishing SSA Landscape Architects, Inc. in 1988 Principal-in-Charge, Steven Sutherland, has focused on projects that will have lasting, positive impacts on our communities and region. Working with citizens, public agencies, and varieties of groups to develop designs and plans that meet their special needs is the most inspiring work for Steve. Oftentimes this occurs within diverse viewpoints and special interests. Developing consensus in these situations with the goal of identifying the most logical and common sense solution is one of Steve’s skills that has made SSA successful. The ability to visualize a project from the "big picture" and an understanding and knowledge of many small technical details inherent in every project is what makes this possible.

Steve began his career in the construction and landscape architecture professions in 1972. His progression of experience through working in horticulture, landscape maintenance, landscape construction, design build construction and finally landscape architecture has provided him with a foundation of knowledge that leads to successful projects. Steve’s goal for every SSA project is to ensure quality service for our clients and to develop projects that are well thought out and detailed; practical design solutions; technically designed to last, maintainable; and, most importantly, a reflection of the client’s needs and desires.

Steve’s philosophy is that to best serve any client or agency you must understand their special and unique needs. To accomplish this, listening to the client’s ideas, concerns, and needs is the most important task for any project. He works closely with every client and SSA project manager to ensure that this understanding and knowledge of our client is nurtured. To this end as Principal-in-Charge, Steve strives to develop long term relationships with school districts, public works departments, park departments, cities and county, state and federal agencies throughout California. Steve has worked with the County of Santa Cruz, County of Monterey Public Works Department and Redevelopment Agency, City of Mountain View, City of San Jose, City of King, City of Gonzales, City of Milpitas, California State University Monterey Bay, and numerous school districts throughout Central California.