Landscape design services for San Francisco

Seed Studio is a residential landscape design studio serving San Francisco, the Bay Area and beyond.

Our landscapes reflect a modern simplicity in design while being grounded in California’s native plant ecology, creating habitat for all forms of life.

We offer a comprehensive set of residential landscape architecture services including:

Outdoor living spaces

We have experience designing a range of outdoor spaces for gathering, entertaining, dining and quiet escape, all the while resting naturally in a garden setting.

Our services include the appointment of features such as outdoor kitchens, fire features, shade structures, garden sheds and the selection of associated furniture for these areas.

Native planting design

We work primarily with local California native plant communities to design landscapes that are water efficient, ecologically rich and lower maintenance than traditional landscape design practices.

Our services include irrigation design, full MWELO landscape water use compliance, and up to date fire-defensible design and vegetation management practices.

Home renovation

We provide a range of landscape design services for residential home renovation and construction projects such as new single family home construction, significant remodels, and the addition of extra living spaces like office sheds and ADU’s.

Our services include site planning, design of supportive landscape features and coordination with relevant architectural and engineering professionals.

We guide every project through a clear design process

From initial design concept through construction documentation, our creative process clarifies the possibilities, helping you make informed design decisions.

We partner with a range of trusted professional consultants, contractors and craftsmen, assisting in selecting the most suitable team for your project’s needs.

Schematic Design

Conceptual design phase
Code research
Preliminary budget estimates
Design presentation

Design Development

Detailed design phase

Design refinement w/ client feedback
Preliminary layout, features, planting and lighting design
Revised budget estimate
Design presentation

Construction Documents

Construction documentation phase
Final layout, features, planting, irrigation and lighting design
Contractor selection and onboarding
Permit coordination
Construction process consultation
Final walk-through and planting follow-up

Experience you can depend on

Seed Studio was founded by landscape architect Steve Ritchey. Inspired by his passion for nature and a love of design, Seed Studio is the culmination of his experience in the disciplines of landscape, architectural and ecological design.

With over 25 years of experience, his work as a landscape designer is shaped by a deep knowledge of California’s native plant communities and a commitment to designing outdoor spaces that reconnect his clients to the landscapes around their homes.

“Steve Ritchey of Seed Studio is a talent and was really cool to work with. He designed a beautiful, unique, clean, modern space for us. Our beautiful backyard is a testament to his vision and commitment. ”

— Erica

“It was an extremely pleasant, and fun experience working with Steve. Besides his talents, Steve is careful, meticulous and most importantly punctual. It shows Steve’s respect for his client’s time.”

— Arden

“Steve didn’t disappear after he presented landscape plans, he was kind enough to check in and thoughtfully answer every question that came up in the implementation process. This back and forth revealed the depth of thought and planning that went into the design, which I did not initially appreciate.”

— Vijai

“Steve did a tremendous job with our project. Watching the plants grow in and experiencing the end result made me fall in love with our house.”

— Scott