Business Details
37 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Landscaping Solutions in San Diego
Established in 1989, Environs is a site planning and landscape architecture design studio rooted in Point Loma, California. Our approach centers on regionally appropriate design, a term we coined to reflect our commitment to creating landscapes that harmonize with Southern California's Mediterranean climate. We prioritize understanding client needs, site potential, and budget constraints to deliver functional, sustainable solutions. Our expertise spans estate residential, commercial, public, and urban design projects, with a focus on water conservation, pollution reduction, and long-term cost efficiency. As a licensed landscape architecture firm since 1989, we combine decades of experience with a collaborative process that integrates client vision and environmental context.Our work has earned recognition for aesthetic and functional excellence, including awards like the Orchid Award for Landscape Architecture Design. We maintain active involvement in San Diego's community and professional networks, fostering partnerships that advance resource-conscious development. Our team's background includes public sector experience, such as managing $15 million in public works projects for the City of Chula Vista. We specialize in translating complex site challenges into opportunities for enhanced property value and ecological stewardship. Client testimonials consistently highlight our responsiveness, technical expertise, and ability to deliver projects on budget while exceeding expectations.
Services
Landscape Architecture
Site Planning
Urban Design
Water Conservation
Public Space Design
Commercial Landscaping
Residential Estates
Irrigation Assessment
HOA Renovations
Sustainable Design
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of licensed landscape architecture experience in Southern California
- Our regionally appropriate design approach reduces water usage by up to 50% compared to conventional landscaping
- We've completed over 200 projects spanning residential estates, commercial developments, and public spaces
- Our team includes a former City of Chula Vista Staff Landscape Architect with $15M+ public works experience
- We guarantee client satisfaction through our collaborative design process and hands-on project oversight
What people say
Highly recommend
Knowledgeable team
Creative designs
On-budget delivery
Sustainable solutions
Services
Landscape Architecture
Our landscape architecture services create functional, sustainable outdoor spaces tailored to Southern California's climate. We develop custom designs that reduce water consumption by 40-60% while enhancing property aesthetics and value. Our licensed professionals manage projects from concept through construction, ensuring compliance with local regulations and environmental standards.
Water Conservation
We specialize in drought-tolerant landscaping solutions that cut water usage without sacrificing beauty. Our approach combines native plants, efficient irrigation systems, and soil optimization techniques to create landscapes that thrive in San Diego's climate while reducing long-term maintenance costs for property owners.
Public Space Design
Our public space designs transform municipal areas into vibrant community assets. We've completed over 50 civic projects including parks, school campuses, and streetscapes that balance accessibility with environmental stewardship. Our experience includes navigating public permitting processes and meeting ADA compliance requirements.
Commercial Landscaping
We create distinctive commercial landscapes that enhance business visibility while reducing maintenance costs. Our solutions incorporate durable materials and low-water plantings that maintain professional aesthetics year-round. Clients benefit from our expertise in HOA regulations and commercial property standards.
Residential Estates
Our residential designs transform properties into personalized outdoor retreats. We specialize in custom hardscapes, specimen planting, and outdoor living spaces that complement home architecture. Clients receive tailored irrigation plans that reduce water bills while maintaining lush landscapes.
People
Martin Schmidt
Principal + Owner
Licensed landscape architect with 35+ years in Southern California. Holds BS in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly. Former City of Chula Vista Staff Landscape Architect managing $15M+ projects. ASLA member since 1989, recipient of Orchid Award for Design Excellence.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We specialize in landscape architecture projects throughout San Diego County and Southern California's Mediterranean climate regions.
What makes your designs 'regionally appropriate'?
Our approach uses climate-adapted plants and water-efficient techniques tailored to Southern California's dry summers and moist winters.
Do you handle both residential and commercial projects?
Yes, we serve both markets with expertise in estate residential, commercial office spaces, public parks, and urban design.
How do you ensure project quality?
Our five-phase process includes rigorous site analysis, client collaboration, and hands-on construction oversight by our principal architect.
Can you work with existing architectural plans?
Yes, we frequently collaborate with architects and contractors to integrate landscape design with building projects.
Reviews (5)
Gene C.
Sep 11, 2019
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This firm does excellent landscape design and planning and 'listens' to what their client wants and then produces wonderful plans that when installed provide more than expected results. Would recommend them to all clients.
Gino C.
Gino C.
Jeremy R.
May 09, 2019
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After over a year of trying to work with multiple landscape architects and multiple delays with other companies, we were overjoyed with the services that Martin Schmidt over at Environs was able to provide for us. The work was on-time, under-budget, and exceeded our expectations! Would not hesitate to recommend!
Janet A.
Nov 26, 2015
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My start-up company, Habitats Tiny Homes, is developing the first tiny home community here in San Diego. I have only a small amount of working capitol and needed a professional and beautiful concept drawing for marketing and permitting. I finally found Environs after doing some shopping around. I called and spoke with Marty and he knew exactly what I needed. His turn-around time was fast and his price was the best I found. I only had an idea in my head of what I wanted the community to look like so I gave Marty very little info to go off of. Just a verbal description. I just got my design a
Steve S.
Dec 17, 2014
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I can't say enough of about the satisfaction we had and have with the work that Marty and his Environs team did on our landscape design. We had our entire exterior hardscape and landscape done and now I have my dream backyard, complete with outdoor kitchen, wooden overhead structures, a gorgeous patio and entry way, a boulder fire pit (quite the conversation piece!), a new sunset viewing patio that took advantage of some unused hillside space, water tolerant landscaping, and dramatic lighting. The whole design flows together. Marty took my requirements, evaluated the space, and came up
Kerri D.
Apr 12, 2013
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I met Marty Schmidt, owner of Environs, when I was on a committee working to beautify an unsightly median at the end of I-8. Marty volunteered his time, created a workable plan, donated many plants, and oversaw the project. Marty is great to work with, so my husband and I hired him to draw up plans for a hardscape/landscaping project at my husband's dental office. Marty has a great eye: he pointed out many possibilities we never thought of, such as a very cool design for the fence that compliments the lines of our exterior remodel. His style is clean, sensible, workable, and sustainable. The
