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Our studio is defined by collaboration from concept through construction. We are driven to create beautiful, sustainable spaces realized by attention to each detail.

ABOUT US

The Fisher Associates Landscape Architecture Studio began providing distinguished landscape architecture and planning services in 1978. From its founding, Fisher’s team of talented professionals has produced transformative, recognizable, and award-winning work. We serve our clients and advance our profession at the intersection of culture, environment, and economy. Our studio engages in comprehensive design services for our broad cross-section of clients. In particular, we offer services and leadership in all areas of open space and waterfronts, public parks, higher education planning and design, urban design, multi-modal transportation systems, infrastructure, health care, and affordable and market rate housing.

MEET THE TEAM

Our team consists of experienced landscape architects, designers, and operations staff who develop projects from a sketch concept through to complete implementation of intended ideas.

Leadership

Kathryn Wolf

Landscape Architect – Client Service Manager

Kathryn has been practicing Landscape Architecture for 35 years with an emphasis in public work and higher education. Kathryn brings a hands-on approach to project leadership, personally engaging with clients and stakeholders to achieve meaningful results.

 

Kimberly Michaels

Landscape Architect – Director of Landscape Architecture 

Kimberly leads the design and management on a diverse set of project types. Her passion is to develop spaces that are sustainable, integrated into the natural world and mindful of the human-environment relationship.  

The team

RYAN KOVAC

Landscape Architect 

don naetzker

Landscape Architect – Director of Planning

JAN BRATH

Landscape Architect 

James FrUEchtl

Landscape Architect 

John reddington

Landscape Architect 

William (Bill) Sprengnether

Landscape Architect 

Makenzie o’rourke

Landscape Architect 

Steve Woods

Landscape Architect 

VALENTINA V. TROSHKIN

Landscape Architect 

matthew leach

Landscape Architect

JAMES Gross

Landscape Designer 

Sara Guerrieri

Landscape Designer 

laura seib

Landscape Designer

Michael paw

Landscape Designer 

Michael swercewski

Landscape Designer 

shannon mccarthy

Landscape Designer 

JIMMY LYNCH

Landscape Designer

Alicia Fahrner

Landscape Designer

melanie anderson

Landscape Designer

shihui deng

Landscape Designer

mb lloyd

Landscape Designer

juliet graves

Landscape Designer

brett moore

Landscape Designer

brittany green

Project Management Coordinator 

MEANINGFUL DESIGN

Fisher Associates designs to build. We believe we have a responsibility to create meaningful places that enrich the lives of those who occupy them. We are committed to making beautiful places. We strive for seamless contextual designs that create durable, resilient, and cost-effective environments.

 

 

AWARDS + RECOGNITION

Project: Pathways Park at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
Award: Honor Award, Built Work - 2024, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Client: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Project: SUNY Buffalo Paula Agrusa Plaza, Buffalo, New York
Award: Merit Award, Built Work - 2024, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Client: University at Buffalo

Project: Cornell University North Campus Residential Expansion, Ithaca, New York
Award: 2022 ENR New York Project of the Year - Engineering News Record New York
Client: Cornell University

Project: Autism Nature Trail at Letchworth State Park
Award: Honor Award, Built Design - 2022, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Client: New York State Parks

Project: The Hamlin Beach State Park Strategic Plan, Hamlin, New York
Award: Honor Award, Planning & Analysis - 2022, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Client: New York State Parks

Project: Niagara Gorge Interpretive Signage, Niagara Falls, New York
Award: Merit Award, Research and Communications - 2021, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Client: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Niagara Region

Project: Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Shared Use Path, South Nyack, New York
Award: Honor Award, Built Work - 2021, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Client: New York State Throughway Authority

Project: Elmira North Main Street, Elmira, New York
Award: APWA Award - 2021, American Public Works Association Central New York Branch
Client: City of Elmira

Project: Cornell Law School, Ithaca, New York
Awards: Honor Award, Built Work - 2020, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Merit Award of Excellence for Building Additions or Adaptive Reuse – 2015, Society for College and University Planning
Design Award – 2015, American Institute of Architects Southern New York Chapter
Client: Cornell University

Project: Cornell Health at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Award: Design Excellence Award, Built Projects - 2019, American Institute of Architects Southern New York Chapter
Client: Cornell University

Project: Hughes Hall, Ithaca, New York
Award: LEED Gold - 2018, Green Building Initiative
Client: Cornell University

Project: Roswell Roof Terrace, Buffalo, New York
Awards: Merit Award, Built Design - 2019, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Gold Medal, Single Space Renovation – 2018, Healthcare Design Showcase
Merit Design Award - 2018, American Institute of Architects Buffalo/Western New York Chapter
Client: Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Project: Niagara Waterfront Opportunity Area, Niagara, New York
Award: Comprehensive Planning Award - 2018, American Planning Association New York Upstate Chapter
Client: City of Niagara

Project: Upson Hall, Ithaca, New York
Awards: LEED Platinum – 2018, Green Building Initiative
Merit Design Award – 2018, American Institute of Architects New York State
Client: Cornell University

Project: Elmira Savings Bank, Ithaca, New York
Award: Adaptive Reuse and Rehabilitation Preservation Award – 2018, Historic Ithaca
Client: Elmira Savings Bank

Project: Mohawk Valley Community College, Rome, New York
Award: Design Award – 2018, American Institute of Architects Eastern New York Chapter
Client: Mohawk Valley Community College

Project: Midtown Rising Redevelopment, Rochester, New York
Award: Merit for Public Architecture, Excelsior Awards – 2018, American Institute of Architects New York State
Client: City of Rochester

Project: Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts Plaza, Ithaca, New York
Award: Merit Award, Built Design – 2017, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Client: Cornell University

Project: Buffalo Harbor State Park, Buffalo, New York
Award: Environmental Project of the Year Award – 2015, American Public Works Association Western New York Branch
Client: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Niagara Region

Project: Buffalo Outer Harbor Parkway, Buffalo, New York
Award: Honor Award of Achievement – 2014, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Client: New York State Department of Transportation

Project: Corning Centerway Pedestrian Bridge, Corning, New York
Awards: Historic Restoration & Preservation Project of the Year – 2014, American Public Works Association Western New York Branch
Bridge Award – 2013, The Association for Bridge Construction & Design Western New York Chapter
Merit Award – Historic Preservation – 2013, International Concrete Repair Institute
Client: City of Corning

Project: SUNY Potsdam Site Infrastructure Upgrades, Potsdam, New York
Award: Silver Award for Design Excellence – 2014, American Council of Engineering Companies
Client: State University of New York, Potsdam

Project: Tifft Street Pier, Buffalo, New York
Award: Project of the Year – Structures Under $5 Million – 2013, American Public Works Association Western New York Branch
Client: New York State Department of Transportation

Project: Black Rock Canal Park, Buffalo, New York
Award: Environmental Project of the Year – 2013, American Public Works Association Western New York Branch
Client: City of Buffalo

Project: Broderick Park, Buffalo, New York
Award: Historic Restoration & Preservation Project of the Year – 2013, American Public Works Association Western New York Branch
Client: City of Buffalo

Project: Niagara Falls State Park – Rebuilding Three Sisters and Luna Islands, Niagara Falls, New York
Awards: Merit Award of Achievement – 2013, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Historic Restoration & Preservation Project of the Year – 2013, American Public Works Association Western New York Branch
Gold Award for Design Excellence - 2013, American Council of Engineering Companies
Client: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Niagara Region

Project: Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services – Holly Creek Lane, Ithaca, New York
Award: US DOE Challenge Housing Innovation Award – 2013, United States Department of Energy
Client: Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services

Project: Southworth Library Lincoln Center Addition, Dryden, New York
Award: Preservation Award – 2012, Historic Ithaca
Client: Southworth Library

Project: Miller/Wood Residence, Corning, New York
Award: Merit Award of Achievement – 2009, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Client: Miller/Wood 

Project: Queen City in the 21st Century: The City of Buffalo Comprehensive Plan, Buffalo, New York
Award: Charter Award: Award of Excellence – 2009, Congress for the New Urbanism 
Client: City of Buffalo

Project: SUNY Upstate Medical University – Setnor Academic Building, Syracuse, New York
Award:  Merit Award – 2008, American Institute of Architects Southern New York Chapter
Client: State University of New York, Upstate Medical Center

Project: Rome Memorial Hospital – Emergency Department, Laboratory and Pharmacy, Rome, New York
Award: Honorable Mention – 2008, American Institute of Architects Southern New York Chapter
Client: Rome Memorial Hospital

Project: Binghamton University – University Downtown Center, Binghamton, New York
Award: Honorable Mention – 2008, American Institute of Architects Southern New York Chapter
Client: State University of New York, Binghamton

Project: SUNY Oswego – Renovations to Swetman Hall, Oswego, New York
Award: Honorable Mention – 2008, American Institute of Architects Southern New York Chapter
Client: State University of New York, Oswego

Project: Wells College – Ann Wilder Stratton Hall, Aurora, New York
Award: Honorable Mention – 2008, American Institute of Architects Southern New York Chapter
Client: Wells College

Project: Cayuga Place Apartments, Ithaca, New York
Award: Development of the Year – 2008, Downtown Ithaca Alliance
Client: Bloomfield/Schon + Partners

Project: The Olmsted City: The Buffalo Olmsted Park System – Plan for the 21st Century, Buffalo, New York
Awards: Honor of Excellence Award in Planning and Analysis – 2008, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Charter Award – 2009, The Congress of New Urbanism
Excellence in Historic Preservation Award – 2009, The Preservation League of New York State
Comprehensive Planning Award – 2009, American Planning Association Western New York Chapter
Client: Olmsted Parks Conservancy

Project: Thurston Avenue Bridge, Ithaca, New York
Award: Platinum Award for Excellence in Engineering: Structures Category – 2007, American Council of Engineering Companies – New York
Bridge Design Award – 2007, Association for Bridge Construction and Design Western New York
Client: City of Ithaca

Project: Cazenovia Creek Bank Stabilization Project, Buffalo, New York
Award: Platinum Award for Excellence in Engineering: – 2007, American Council of Engineering Companies – New York
Client: City of Buffalo

Project: Pittsford Canal Improvements Project, Pittsford, New York
Award: Main Street Revitalization Program – First Place – 2005, New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials
Client: Village of Pittsford

Project: Route 470 Corridor Plan, Cohoes, New York
Award: Outstanding Planning Project – Honorable Mention – 2002, American Planning Association New York Upstate Chapter
Client: City of Cohoes

Project: Tonawanda Gateway Harbor, Tonawanda, New York 
Awards: Merit Award for Design – 2001, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Governor’s Waterfront Rediscovery Award – 2001, New York State Department of State
Outstanding Planning Project – 2001, American Planning Association New York Upstate Chapter
Client: City of Tonawanda

Project: Tompkins County Waterfront Plan, Ithaca, New York
Award: Merit Award for Comprehensive Planning – 1997, American Planning Association New York Upstate Chapter
Client: Tompkins County Planning Department

Project: Highland Park Historic Landscape Rehabilitation, Rochester, New York
Award: Merit Award for Historic Preservation – 1996, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Presidential Gold Medal Winner – 1999
Client: Monroe County Parks Department

Project: Erie Canal Corridor Plan for Erie and Niagara Counties, Erie and Niagara Counties, New York
Award: Outstanding Planning Project – Comprehensive Planning – 1996, American Planning Association New York Upstate Chapter
Client: Erie County Planning Department

Project: North Campus Landscape Renovation, Ithaca, New York
Award: Merit Award – 1995, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Client: Cornell University

Project: Brooklyn/Queens Greenway Design Study, New York, New York
Award: Merit Award – Planning and Analysis – 1990, American Society of Landscape Architects
Client: Neighborhood Open Space Coalition

Project: Ruth Uris and Willard Straight Gardens, Ithaca, New York
Award: Merit Award - 1988, American Society of Landscape Architects New York Upstate Chapter
Client: Cornell University

CORE VALUES

Fisher Associates Landscape Architecture Studio designs to build. We are committed to a high level of aesthetics, making beautiful places. We strive for seamless contextual designs that create resilient and sustainable environments.

Sustainability has never been more important to our practice.

Fisher Associates Landscape Architecture studio, has been integrating sustainability into our projects as a matter of course for decades. Our approach draws on our deep understanding of broader environmental goals, specific project elements, and practical lessons learned to make our society ever more resilient. Revealing green infrastructure by integrating storm water and site design is at the core of many of our built projects. We have created vibrant new public parks on reclaimed brownfields, re-established large scale native plant communities on disturbed sites, and supported urban infill development projects on underutilized sites.

We have worked with the LEED rating system since its creation more than 20 years ago. We are proud to have been integral members of the design team awarded one of the first higher education LEED Platinum Certifications at the Peggy Ryan Williams Center at Ithaca College. Today, we are proud that our projects routinely achieve LEED Certification.

We assisted the Sustainable Sites Initiative to develop the SITES guidelines as the next generation of sustainability credentialing. Our work at Cayuga Medical Center was highlighted as a case study for Sustainable Sites and demonstrates a variety of effective sustainable practices.

We look forward to continuing to support our clients’ sustainability goals by innovating site design together.

LEED Projects

Platinum

  • Cornell University Upson Hall Renovation
  • Cornell University Law School Renovation
  • Ithaca College Peggy Ryan Williams Administration Building
  • Cornell Law School Addition

Gold

  • Cornell University Hughes Hall Renovation
  • Kendal at Ithaca
  • University of Buffalo Education Opportunity Center
  • Ithaca College Classroom Addition and Pedestrian Concourse
  • SUNY Oswego DASNY Townhouses
  • Holly Creek Lane Townhomes
  • City of Rochester Water Bureau
  • SUNY Orange Rowley Center
  • SUNY Oswego Science, Engineering & Technologies
  • Cornell University Upson Hall Renovation
  • Cornell University Hughes Hall Renovation
  • Kendal at Ithaca Repositioning

Silver

  • Broome Community College Natural Science Center
  • Cayuga Medical Center Southwest Addition
  • Gateway Commons, Apartments and Retail Building
  • Binghamton University Downtown Education Center
  • Ithaca College Robert B. Tallman Rowing Center
  • SUNY Canton Campus Center
  • SUNY Cortland New Education Building and Child Care Center
  • SUNY Oswego Rehabilitation of Swetman and Poucher Halls
  • SUNY Cortland Student Life Center
  • Cornell University Law School Academic Center Addition
  • Cayuga Medical Center Surgical Services Addition
  • SUNY Orange Center for Science & Engineering

Certified

  • Cornell University West Campus Residential Initiative
  • SUNY Upstate Medical University Setnor Academic Building
  • Cayuga Medical Laboratory Addition
  • Cayuga Place Apartments
  • Breckenridge Place
  • Belle Sherman Cottages