Learning Landscapes Design
Learning Landscapes Design is a landscape architecture firm specializing in nature playscapes, inclusive playgrounds, and outdoor learning environments for schools, parks, early childhood programs, and public agencies across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Learning Landscapes Design does
Learning Landscapes Design LLC is a privately held landscape architecture firm founded in 2012 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with a second studio in Wisconsin. The firm specializes exclusively in designing nature playscapes, outdoor learning environments, and inclusive playgrounds for early childhood programs, public schools, parks, museums, camps, and developer-led communities across the United States. Its core service is full-scope design from concept through construction-ready documentation, including community workshops, site analysis, concept design, 3D imagery, cost estimation, permitting support, bidding assistance, construction observation, and post-completion maintenance guidelines; the firm does not perform construction but represents clients during the build phase to safeguard design intent and safety compliance.
The firm's technical foundation rests on a community-reflective design methodology that integrates child development research, play theory, ecological systems thinking, and regulatory expertise (ASTM safety guidelines and ADA requirements that the firm explicitly designs beyond). Its team of licensed landscape architects and Certified Playground Safety Inspectors holds complementary credentials including LEED Green Associate and ReScape Qualified Professional designations. Differentiated offerings include STEM Playscape Design Classes where students co-design their learning environments, and a dedicated inclusive playground design practice targeting children and caregivers of all abilities and sensory needs.
Revenue is generated entirely through project-based professional services fees, with pricing determined per engagement following a consultative discovery-then-proposal workflow. The firm acquires clients via direct engagement initiated through website contact forms or referrals from public agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations. Two studios (Oregon and Wisconsin) anchor operations while projects are delivered nationwide. The LLC is founder-owned, with Michelle Mathis serving as Principal Designer; the company has not raised institutional capital and operates with a small team of approximately six to seven design professionals plus technical review support.
Learning Landscapes Design firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Learning Landscapes Design
- Legal name
- Learning Landscapes Design LLC
- Website
- https://learninglandscapesdesign.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Learning Landscapes Design is a landscape architecture firm specializing in nature playscapes, inclusive playgrounds, and outdoor learning environments for schools, parks, early childhood programs, and public agencies across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Learning Landscapes Design industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Landscape Architecture and Playground Design Services
- NAICS
- Landscape Architectural Services (541320), Landscape Architectural Services (54132)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)
Keywords
Where Learning Landscapes Design is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Learning Landscapes Design business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Landscape Architecture Design Services: Full-service nature playscape design from initial vision stage through construction-ready documentation. Services include community workshops, site visits, concept designs, 3D imagery, cost estimation, construction documents, permitting, bidding support, construction oversight, staff training, and maintenance guidelines. The firm does not perform construction but represents clients during construction to ensure design integrity and safety compliance.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Learning Landscapes Design product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Learning Landscapes Design is a landscape architecture firm that provides full-service nature playscape and outdoor learning environment design for schools, parks, early childhood programs, public agencies, and nonprofits. The firm delivers concept design, 3D imagery, cost estimation, construction documents, permitting support, bidding assistance, construction observation, staff training, and maintenance guidelines. It does not perform construction itself, instead representing clients during build-out to ensure design integrity and safety compliance.
Product overview
Learning Landscapes Design is a landscape architecture firm providing full-service nature playscape and playground design. The company operates as a single unified service offering, with specialized practice areas including Nature Playscape Design Services (their core offering), School Playground Design, Early Childhood Nature Playgrounds, Custom Park Playground Design, Inclusive Playground Design, and Camp Master Plan Development. Additional offerings include STEM Playscape Design Classes for student engagement and Natural Playscape Maintenance Guidelines. The firm does not perform construction; they provide design services from initial vision through construction observation, working with local contractors for implementation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Nature Playscape Design Services Full-service nature playscape and natural playground design for early childhood programs, parks, schools, nonprofits, and public agencies. Includes concept design, construction documents, permitting, bidding support, and construction observation.
- School Playground Design Design of natural and nature-based playgrounds specifically for school environments, including green schoolyards and STEM-integrated outdoor learning spaces.
- Early Childhood Nature Playgrounds Purpose-designed outdoor spaces for preschools and childcare facilities that extend learning beyond the classroom with sensory, physical, and imaginative play elements.
- Custom Playground Design for Parks Nature-based playground design for parks, housing developments, campuses, and civic spaces that serve whole communities.
- Inclusive Playground Design Design of playgrounds that exceed ADA requirements to create inclusive play spaces where children of all abilities can play and explore together.
- Camp Master Plan Development Development of comprehensive master plans for summer camps and retreat centers, helping organizations realize their mission through physical facility planning.
- STEM Playscape Design Classes
Quantifiable outcome
- Spaces become community anchors where families gather, neighbors connect, and inclusive play is visible and valued
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Learning Landscapes Design
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Learning Landscapes Design technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Learning Landscapes Design partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- TerraformaminorLandscape architecture/design partner for Sunset Park project in West Linn, Oregon.
- Three KingsminorContractor partner for Sunset Park project. Construction cost was $350,000.
- Back to Nature (Contractor)minorConstruction contractor partner for Montclair Community Pre-K project in New Jersey. Contractor installed the designed playscape.
- National Wildlife FederationcoreMichelle Mathis serves as Steering Committee Member for National Wildlife Federation's National Guidelines for Play and Learning, contributing to national standards development.
- Grass Stains LandscapingminorLandscape contractor partner for Children's Garden project for Endeavor Schools in Portland.
- Oregon Recreation and Parks AssociationcoreLearning Landscapes Design founder Michelle Mathis is a Founder and Member of Oregon Natural Play Initiative, a collaborative initiative under ORPA focused on promoting natural play areas in Oregon parks.
- Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD)minorCollaborated on Natural Play Areas workshop initiative aimed at creating a participatory design template and connecting youth with nature across Oregon state parks.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Learning Landscapes Design competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Landscape Structures: Major playground manufacturer that also offers inclusive playground design services and Inclusive Play design guidelines. Comparable in targeting schools and parks for playground projects, but operates as a manufacturer-led incumbent rather than a pure design firm.
- Kompan: Global playground equipment manufacturer with design and consulting services for parks, schools, and communities. Comparable in serving the same end-customer segments, though it competes primarily through catalog products rather than custom nature-play design.
- GreenWorks: Pacific Northwest landscape architecture firm where founder Michelle Mathis previously worked. Comparable in region and general LA service mix; broader portfolio beyond play spaces, making it a partial competitor rather than a direct match.
- PlayCore: Large, established play and recreation equipment company that also offers community-centered design services and national play guidelines. Comparable in serving parks and schools on play projects, though primarily manufacturer-driven and broader in scope.
- MIG (Mitchell | Mangiore Group): Planning, design, and communications firm with landscape architecture and parks-and-recreation practices. Comparable in serving public agencies and communities on park and open-space projects, though its scope is much broader than nature playscapes.
Emerging players
- Natural Learning Initiative (NC State College of Design): Research-and-design initiative focused on outdoor learning environments for young children, producing design guidance and prototype projects. Comparable in the early-childhood nature-play niche; differs in being university-affiliated rather than a private practice.
Regional players
- Terraforma Landscape Architecture: Pacific Northwest landscape architecture firm that partnered with Learning Landscapes on the West Linn Sunset Park project. Comparable in regional scope and parks-focused work; collaborator rather than head-to-head competitor.
Direct peers
- Earthscape Design: Nature-based playground and playscape design firm serving schools, parks, and communities with custom outdoor environments. Comparable product offering (natural materials, custom design, community engagement) and similar customer base to Learning Landscapes.
- Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds: Canadian-founded firm specializing in natural playground and outdoor learning environment design, often delivered as design-build. Directly comparable niche to Learning Landscapes' nature playscape and early childhood focus, though it also performs installation.
- Leathers & Associates: Long-established playground design firm with deep expertise in custom and natural play environments for schools, parks, and communities. Comparable in serving similar buyer segments (schools, municipalities) with bespoke playground design rather than catalog equipment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Learning Landscapes Design social profiles
Digital presenceLearning Landscapes Design compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Learning Landscapes Design financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Learning Landscapes Design leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Learning Landscapes Design funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Learning Landscapes Design M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Learning Landscapes Design
What does Learning Landscapes Design do?
Learning Landscapes Design is a landscape architecture firm that provides full-service nature playscape and outdoor learning environment design for schools, parks, early childhood programs, public agencies, and nonprofits. The firm delivers concept design, 3D imagery, cost estimation, construction documents, permitting support, bidding assistance, construction observation, staff training, and maintenance guidelines. It does not perform construction itself, instead representing clients during build-out to ensure design integrity and safety compliance.
Is Learning Landscapes Design a public or private company?
Learning Landscapes Design is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Learning Landscapes Design founded?
Learning Landscapes Design was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Learning Landscapes Design based?
Learning Landscapes Design is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Learning Landscapes Design make money?
One revenue line is on record: landscape Architecture Design Services.
Who are Learning Landscapes Design's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Landscape Structures, Kompan, GreenWorks, PlayCore and MIG (Mitchell | Mangiore Group). Natural Learning Initiative (NC State College of Design) is listed as an emerging player. Terraforma Landscape Architecture is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Earthscape Design, Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds and Leathers & Associates.
Does Learning Landscapes Design have an API?
No public API is recorded for Learning Landscapes Design.
What industry is Learning Landscapes Design in?
Learning Landscapes Design's product category is Landscape Architecture and Playground Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAC, Landscape Architecture & Site Design. Its NAICS code is 541320.