What PGAdesign does

PGAdesign is a landscape architectural studio founded in 1979 by Chris Pattillo, headquartered in Oakland (with post-merger relocation to Berkeley) and serving clients across the San Francisco Bay Area and broader California. The firm provides professional landscape architecture services including master planning, construction documents, site design, cultural landscape rehabilitation, and sustainable landscape consulting for municipalities, educational institutions, transit authorities, nonprofits, and residential and commercial developers. Core service offerings include LEED-certified residential and campus design (LEED Gold achievement on AVA 55 Ninth), Net Zero Campus design (OUSD Downtown Educational Complex), inclusive playground design (Rotary PlayGarden), transit-oriented development (Dublin/Pleasanton BART, MacArthur BART), and historic landscape preservation — including HALS documentation work described as more extensive than any other private firm in the U.S.

The firm operates as a project-based professional services business, with approximately 16 named technical staff across two Principals (Cathy Garrett as President, plus Karen Krolewski), Senior Associates, Associates, and registered landscape architects. Its technology stack is anchored on Revit/BIM adoption since 2010, used on more than 58 projects, which the firm describes as pioneering within landscape architecture. Notable proprietary or differentiated expertise includes LEED Gold, CHPS Verified (highest rating), Grid Neutral Campus, and Bay-Friendly compliance certifications. PGAdesign pursues projects primarily through competitive bidding, design competitions, and direct commission, with revenue derived from project fees. The firm's distribution and marketing rely on professional reputation, awards (ASLA, AIA, California Preservation Foundation, ACEC), industry publication features (Landscape Architecture Magazine), and leadership positions in ASLA, NAOP, and California Preservation Foundation.

In 2025 PGAdesign merged with MIG, Inc., a Berkeley-based national multi-disciplinary planning, design, management, communications, and technology firm, with PGA staff relocating to MIG's Berkeley headquarters to form a combined landscape architecture practice; PGAdesign's website lists the Oakland address but the parent company is now MIG. No external private equity or venture capital investment is evidenced in the source data.

Name

PGAdesign

Legal name

PGAdesign inc

Website

https://pgadesign.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PGAdesign is a landscape architectural studio founded in 1979 in Oakland, California, providing master planning, sustainable design, historic preservation, and transit-oriented development services to Bay Area municipalities, educational institutions, transit agencies, nonprofits, and developers, now merged with MIG, Inc.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Landscape Architecture Services

NAICS

Landscape Architectural Services (541320)

akta.pro primary industry

Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)

Keywords

• Landscape architecture services
• Master planning design
• Historic landscape preservation
• Transit oriented development
• Sustainable site design

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Professional Services - Landscape Architecture: PGAdesign generates revenue through professional landscape architecture services, providing master planning, construction documents, design, and consulting for public and private sector clients. Projects include parks, transit villages, educational campuses, housing developments, and civic spaces.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

PGAdesign is a landscape architecture studio that provides professional landscape architecture services including master planning, construction documents, site design, cultural landscape rehabilitation, and sustainable design for parks, transit villages, educational campuses, housing developments, and civic spaces. The firm serves municipalities, transit agencies, educational institutions, and private developers in the San Francisco Bay Area and broader California region.

Product overview

PGAdesign is a landscape architecture firm founded in 1979, offering a comprehensive suite of landscape architecture services including master planning, construction documents, cultural landscape rehabilitation, and sustainable design. Their portfolio spans diverse project types including housing developments (market-rate and affordable), educational campuses (K-12 and university), parks and recreational facilities, civic and public spaces, transportation/transit projects, and historic preservation sites. Notable specialized offerings include inclusive playground design (Rotary PlayGarden), net zero campus design, transit-oriented development, and LEED-certified residential landscapes. The firm has recently merged with MIG, Inc. to expand its landscape architecture practice.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Landscape Architecture Services Comprehensive landscape architecture services including master planning, construction documents, site design, and landscape rehabilitation for municipalities, educational institutions, transit authorities, and private developers across the San Francisco Bay Area and broader California.
• Cultural Landscape Rehabilitation

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

52 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MIG, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025PGAdesign merged with MIG, Inc., a Berkeley-based national multi-disciplinary planning, design, management, communications, and technology firm. PGA staff will relocate to MIG's Berkeley headquarters.
• MWA ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024PGAdesign is working with MWA Architects on the Black Panther 100% affordable housing project in West Oakland, owned by Oakland & The World Enterprises.
• Oakland & The World EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Oakland & The World Enterprises, a nonprofit led by Elaine Brown (former Black Panther party chair), owns the Black Panther affordable housing project that PGAdesign is working on.
• Argent ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Argent Management partnered with PGAdesign on Oak Knoll housing development, transforming contaminated former military medical hospital site into new community.
• BKF EngineerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023PGAdesign participated on the award-winning team led by BKF Engineers for the Seaport Centre Levee Improvement Project. The project showcased innovation to protect a Redwood City peninsula from projected sea level rise by raising walls, berms, and paths to meet FEMA recommended elevations.
• Holland Partner GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023PGAdesign worked with Holland Partner Group on Forma Apartments, a 223-unit building near the historic Fox Theater in Oakland, providing multiple amenity-rich outdoor spaces.
• Solomon Cordwell BuenzcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Solomon Cordwell Buenz designed the 223-unit Forma Apartments building while PGAdesign provided landscape architecture services for the project.
• ELS Architecture & Urban DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023PGAdesign partnered with ELS Architecture & Urban Design on Berkeley Rose Garden irrigation system renovation project.
• MWA ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023PGAdesign worked with MWA Architects on Westlake Christian Terrace West renovation, a 200-apartment highrise affordable senior housing project in Oakland.
• MWA ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023MWA Architects collaborated with PGAdesign on Westlake Christian Terrace West renovation project.
• San Mateo-Foster City School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022San Mateo-Foster City School District engaged PGAdesign for Sunnybrae Elementary School landscape improvements, transforming underperforming turf grass field into artificial turf multi-purpose field with jogging track.
• CSDAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022CSDA collaborated with PGAdesign and San Mateo-Foster City School District on Sunnybrae Elementary School project.
• GreystarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021PGAdesign partnered with developer Greystar on Menlo Flats housing project, bringing diversified development to a former office site in Menlo Park. Greystar spearheaded the development while PGAdesign provided landscape design spanning from on-structure areas to street-level public spaces.
• Heller ManusminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Heller Manus collaborated with PGAdesign and Greystar on the Menlo Flats housing project in Menlo Park.
• BDE ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021BDE Architects partnered with PGAdesign and Greystar on Menlo Flats housing project.
• California Counties Architects and Engineers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021CCAEA awarded Cherryland Fire Station Project of Excellence; PGAdesign developed entry plaza and firefighter patio area.
• PYATOK architecture + urban designcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021PGAdesign collaborated with PYATOK on St. Paul's Commons in Walnut Creek, designing main pedestrian entry, central multi-use courtyard, patios, and accessible circulation.
• EBALDC (East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021PGAdesign collaborated with EBALDC on Casa Arabella, a 94-unit affordable transit-oriented development in Oakland's Fruitvale District.
• The Unity CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021The Unity Council partnered with PGAdesign and EBALDC on Casa Arabella affordable housing development.
• Pyatok ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Pyatok Architects collaborated with PGAdesign on Casa Arabella project in Oakland's Fruitvale District.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021PGAdesign provided design services to National Park Service under a five-year contract addressing public access at several parks in Marin and San Francisco counties, including Kirby Cove.
• Wiss, Janney, Elstner AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021PGAdesign partnered with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates addressing public access at Kirby Cove campground under a five-year National Park Service contract.
• Mill Creek ResidentialcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021PGAdesign partnered with Mill Creek Residential on Modera Rincon Hill housing complex in San Francisco.
• TCA ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021TCA Architects collaborated with PGAdesign and Mill Creek Residential on Modera Rincon Hill project.
• Civic Design StudiominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021PGAdesign collaborated with Civic Design Studio on Paseo Estero and Vista Estero projects, incorporating local Oakland high school student art at main entries.
• MidPen HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021MidPen Housing developed Paseo Estero and Vista Estero affordable housing communities at Oakland's Brooklyn Basin; PGAdesign served as landscape architect.
• Verde DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021PGAdesign joined Verde Design on OUSD Emerson Elementary School project, reimagining schoolyard with play structure and basketball courts.
• S Meek ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020S Meek Architecture collaborated with PGAdesign and OUSD on Claremont Middle School transformative project.
• OUSD (Oakland Unified School District)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020OUSD engaged PGAdesign for Claremont Middle School project focusing on artificial turf field, courtyard, and new multi-purpose building.
• SunCalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019PGAdesign partnered with SunCal and City of Oakland on Oak Knoll 183-acre housing development on former military hospital site.
• Pyatok ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018PGAdesign collaborated with Pyatok Architects on Bowles Hall Residence historic rehabilitation at UC Berkeley campus. Partners included EdR and Bowles Hall Foundation. Project restored outdoor gathering spaces, improved public access, and provided parking on a steeply graded site.
• EdRcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018EdR partnered with PGAdesign and Pyatok Architects on Bowles Hall Residence historic rehabilitation at UC Berkeley campus.
• Bowles Hall FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Bowles Hall Foundation collaborated with PGAdesign, Pyatok, and EdR on restoring the historic Bowles Hall Residence on UC Berkeley campus.
• Pyatok ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018PGAdesign partnered with Pyatok Architects on The Summits Student Housing at UC Merced. Designed dynamic outdoor community spaces reflecting the university's flat, agricultural setting with native plants and local materials.
• City of FremontcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017City of Fremont selected PGAdesign to prepare the California Nursery Master Plan to turn the historic 20+ acre nursery site into a National Historical Park.
• Friends of Piedmont WayminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017PGAdesign was retained by Friends of Piedmont Way to develop inventory and evaluation of the landscape as the first step in completing HALS documentation for Piedmont Way.
• Architectural Resources GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017PGAdesign served as landscape architect with Architectural Resources Group leading the design team for North Berkeley Library expansion project.
• Midpeninsula Regional Open Space DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017PGAdesign partnered with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District on Alma College Cultural Landscape Rehabilitation project in Los Gatos.
• City of San JosecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017PGAdesign partnered with City of San Jose on Rotary PlayGarden Phase 2, providing master planning and construction documents for nature and sensory play elements.
• Rotary Club of San JosecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Rotary Club of San Jose gifted the city the all-inclusive Rotary PlayGarden; PGAdesign provided master planning and construction documents for both phases of the project.
• ELS Architecture & Urban DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017ELS Architecture & Urban Design partnered with PGAdesign on Golden Gate Plaza renovation at the Phillip Burton Federal Building in San Francisco.
• VTA (Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017VTA reviewed River Oaks Pedestrian Trail project designed by PGAdesign linking San Jose to Santa Clara.
• City of San JoseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017City of San Jose reviewed River Oaks Pedestrian Trail project designed by PGAdesign.
• City of Santa ClaraminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017City of Santa Clara reviewed River Oaks Pedestrian Trail project designed by PGAdesign.
• Hensel Phelps ConstructionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Hensel Phelps Construction built the Rotary PlayGarden designed by PGAdesign.
• Page & Turnbull ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017PGAdesign collaborated with Page & Turnbull Architects on Parkmerced HALS documentation project for documenting Thomas Church's landscape design.
• Presidio of San FranciscominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017PGAdesign won ASLA-NCC Historic Preservation Award for Doyle Drive documentation through the Presidio of San Francisco implementing HALS program.
• Westlake UrbancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Westlake Urban spearheaded San Leandro Tech Campus development; PGAdesign was integral in creating campus-to-Bay Trail link and designing plaza with 'Truth Is Beauty' sculpture.
• OSIsoftminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017OSIsoft was first tenant at San Leandro Tech Campus where PGAdesign provided landscape architecture services.
• SCB ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017SCB Architects collaborated with PGAdesign on 17th & Broadway 33-story multi-family housing project in Oakland.
• LennarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Lennar Multifamily Communities constructed 17th & Broadway project with SCB Architects and PGAdesign as landscape architects.
• Midpeninsula Regional Open Space DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District acquired Alma College property; PGAdesign assessed and led rehabilitation plan for the historic cultural landscape.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture: San Francisco-based boutique landscape architecture firm of comparable size and reputation. Highly comparable as a Bay Area studio focused on residential, civic, and urban design with a similarly award-driven, design-led practice.
• Studio-MLA: California-based landscape architecture studio working across parks, housing, and urban design. Direct peer in scale, geography, and project typology, frequently competing for the same Bay Area and Southern California public-sector commissions.
• GLS Landscape/Architecture: San Francisco-based landscape architecture firm working on housing, education, and urban infill. Comparable in scale, Bay Area footprint, and project typology, with overlapping public- and private-sector client rosters.
• CMG Landscape Architecture: San Francisco-based landscape architecture firm. Direct peer in size, Bay Area geography, and focus on urban infill, mixed-use, and civic projects, frequently participating in the same public-sector selection processes.

Broad incumbents

• OLIN: National landscape architecture and urban design firm. Comparable as a peer for large-scale parks, civic landscapes, and master planning commissions, and a credible competitor in design competitions PGAdesign enters.
• James Corner Field Operations: National landscape architecture and urban design firm known for large public-realm projects. Comparable in expertise around parks, waterfronts, and transit-oriented design, and competes in marquee California design competitions.
• SWA Group: Large national landscape architecture, urban design, and planning firm with deep California presence. Comparable as a competitor for the same Bay Area public-realm, park, and waterfront commissions PGAdesign pursues, but at materially greater scale.

Others

• MIG, Inc. Berkeley-based multi-disciplinary planning, design, communications, and management firm that merged with PGAdesign in 2025. Included as the now-parent organization; highly comparable in geography and public-sector focus, with expanded service lines.

Regional players

• Hood Design Studio: Oakland-based landscape architecture and urban design practice. Comparable as a Bay Area peer with a portfolio spanning civic landscapes, public art, and cultural landscapes, and direct overlap with PGAdesign's local market.

Emerging players

• SITELAB Urban Studio: Bay Area landscape architecture and urban design practice. Comparable in geography and focus on urban infill, streetscape, and public realm work, with partial overlap in target client base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PGAdesign