Modern, native gardens for Marin
Seed Studio is a residential landscape design studio based in San Anselmo, serving homeowners across Marin County. We specialize in designing gardens that respond to Marin's unique terrain, fire conditions, and native plant communities.
Our landscapes reflect a modern simplicity in design while being grounded in California’s native plant ecology, creating beautiful gardens adapted to the local environment. That means stronger resistance to fire and drought, fewer visits from the gardener, and outdoor spaces that get better with time.
From Tiburon to Sausalito, Mill Valley to Kentfield, San Rafael to Fairfax, we serve residential clients throughout Marin County.
Local ecology
Marin's native plant communities are among California's most ecologically rich. Designing in alignment with these communities produces landscapes that connect gardens to the broader landscape around them, supporting biodiversity while bringing nature closer to you.
Our planting designs draw on deep knowledge of working with native plant communities across the Bay Area.
Terrain and microclimate
Marin's topography is dramatic and varied. Hillsides have differing solar exposure, ridgelines redirect coastal winds and fog, and valleys trap and release heat depending on the time of day and season. The result is a mosaic of microclimates where conditions can shift significantly from one property to the next.
Understanding these patterns is essential to designing landscapes that thrive over time in each setting.
Fire defensible design
Marin's abundant open spaces create conditions where fire risk is a real and ongoing consideration for residential properties. Selecting appropriate plant species, structuring plantings to create defensible space, and thoughtful use of hardscape to slow fire spread are all effective tools to reduce the risk.
For projects requiring a Vegetation Management Plan as part of the building permit process, we prepare a VMP in-house as part of the landscape architectural scope of work.
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. The result is a project that is focused, and moves forward with clarity and purpose.
We partner with a range of trusted professional consultants, contractors and craftsmen, assisting in selecting the most suitable team for your project’s needs.
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.
Based in San Anselmo 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.
Frequently asked questions
A few typical questions we get from potential clients in Marin:
What's a typical budget range for a landscape project in Marin?
Budgets vary widely depending on the scope of work, site conditions, and level of detail in the design. A small planting renovation has a very different budget than a full property transformation with hardscape, office sheds, and features like outdoor kitchens.
Our services are generally best suited for project budgets starting around $100k and up to achieve the results you see in our portfolio. During our initial consultation and site visit, we discuss budget openly to make sure the scope of work aligns with your expectations. Our goal is to calibrate budget spending to achieve the most important outcomes for each specific client, and no higher.
What can I expect as far as permitting requirements?
It all depends on the scope of work. Many of our projects move forward with only basic, over-the-counter permits required. More extensive projects involving slopes or retaining walls, decks, stairways, drainage modifications, or new structures typically require a more intensive permit review process.
We research the specific permitting requirements for each project during the initial design phase and coordinate permit submissions as part of our work. If outside consultants such as structural engineers or surveyors are needed, we coordinate and integrate their work for a seamless process.
How does fire risk affect landscape design in Marin?
Fire risk is a defining condition for most residential landscape projects in Marin County. Thoughtful design addresses it directly by selecting plants for low fuel load and fire resistance, structuring planting to create defensible space around structures, and integrating hardscape in ways that slow fire spread while maintaining the character and beauty of the garden.
For significant remodels in Marin's high fire hazard zones, a Vegetation Management Plan is typically required as part of the building permit process. We prepare VMPs in-house as part of the landscape architectural scope of work, streamlining the permit process.
What can we do for you?
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