Karla Dakin specializes in artful, environmentally bold landscape architecture, with a particular emphasis on incorporating native plant life. In recent years Dakin has extended her education in green roofs, low impact design, permaculture, biodynamic and master gardening, as well as teaching garden design and architectural theory. She has been called upon to lecture on contemporary landscape and art in China and Brazil as well as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Boulder, Denver, and other cities and to create vibrant, innovative landscape installations for a variety of public and private clients. Plant-obsessed, Karla’s work uses vegetation while continually referencing art in forward thinking ways. This passion for art and design leads to an intriguing twist in her collaborative designs. Dakin has completed a wide array of projects including the roof garden for the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver, Colorado and the green roof for the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust. Early in 2013, she co-authored “The Professional Design Guide to Green Roofs,” published by Timber Press. Her enthusiasm for green roofs lead her to be a founding member of Growwest and an active member of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.
“The landscape design at Swoon is a perfect example of a magical collaboration between client/artist (RD) and designer/landscape architect (KD). The process danced back and forth between two inspired minds. Rebecca has a strong vision and Karla has in depth expertise. Both voices blended to craft an elegant, artful, environmentally responsive solution to the outdoor spaces around the building.”
