What Ground Workshop does

Ground Workshop is a Portland, Oregon-based landscape architecture studio founded in 2019 by principal Tommy Solomon. The studio provides full-service landscape architecture across master planning and site design, serving government agencies (Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, Oregon Metro, Benton County), affordable housing developers (Home Forward, Human Solutions), healthcare and behavioral health organizations (Fora Health), educational institutions (Oregon Coast Community College), private residential clients, and developers (Killian Pacific, Related NW). The studio is a COBID-certified Emerging Small Business (ESB #12049) in Oregon and operates as a growing collective of approximately six designers with formal credentials including PLA and LEED AP designations. Service typologies span parks and recreation, therapeutic and trauma-informed landscapes, civic and institutional sites, affordable housing, private residential gardens, urban mixed-use developments, and public realm/pavilions, with documented projects across Oregon, Washington, and nationally.

The studio's core capability is interdisciplinary design combining architecture and landscape architecture disciplines, led by a principal with a Masters of Architecture and 20+ years of experience at Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects and 2.ink Studio. The practice emphasizes a place-making philosophy integrating ecological, cultural, and experiential dimensions of outdoor space. The studio functions through collaborative project teams with architects (Holst Architecture, Lever Architecture, Hacker, Scott Edwards, Fieldwork, TVA, CBTwo, Heliotrope), engineers (Vega Civil Engineering, KPFF, Catena, DOWL, Mazzetti), developers (Killian Pacific, Related NW), and construction partners (R&H Construction, Colas, Lease Crutcher Lewis, Turner, Andersen), with project-based engagements rather than product distribution.

Ground Workshop generates revenue through project-based professional services (landscape architecture fees) billed on a quote basis, with pricing not publicly disclosed. The studio is privately held and bootstrapped, with no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or external investment. Marketing relies on portfolio visibility via its website, industry award recognition (Oregon ASLA Honor Awards, AIA National Healthcare Design Award, Portland Design Commission awards, GRAY Awards), and recurring relationships with architectural and developer partners that drive mid-funnel referrals. Award-winning projects include Fora Health, Salem Public Library, Eagle View Park, Hazel Ying Lee Apartments, and T. Joyce Phillips Affordable Housing.

Name

Ground Workshop

Legal name

Ground Workshop

Website

https://groundworkshop.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ground Workshop is a Portland-based landscape architecture studio (founded 2019) delivering master planning and site design across parks, civic, healthcare, affordable housing, and private residential projects in the Pacific Northwest and nationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Landscape Architecture Services

NAICS

Landscape Architectural Services (541320)

akta.pro primary industry

Landscape Design, Build & Installation (Hardscapes/Softscapes) (BPABADAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Landscape Construction Project Management & General Contracting (HSAIABAK)

Keywords

• Landscape architecture
• Site design services
• Urban planning
• Parks design
• Residential landscape design

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Landscape Architecture Services: Project-based professional services for landscape architecture, master planning, and site design across diverse project types including parks, civic spaces, affordable housing, therapeutic environments, and private gardens.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Ground Workshop is a Portland-based landscape architecture studio that provides site design services for parks, civic spaces, affordable housing developments, healthcare facilities, and private residential projects. The firm partners with public agencies, non-profits, developers, and homeowners to deliver context-sensitive landscape solutions across the Pacific Northwest.

Product overview

Ground Workshop is a full-service landscape architecture studio offering a unified suite of design services rather than a modular product portfolio. The studio's core offering encompasses landscape architecture across diverse project types including: park and recreation design (neighborhood parks, community parks, linear parks), therapeutic landscape design for healthcare facilities (trauma-informed environments, healing gardens), civic and institutional landscape design (libraries, cultural centers), affordable housing landscape design (multi-generational courtyards, community gardens, play areas), private residential garden design (contemporary homes, multi-generational estates), urban development landscape design (mixed-use neighborhoods, residential towers), and public realm/civic space design (pavilions, waterfront installations). All services are delivered through collaborative team-based design processes, with the studio working alongside architects, engineers, developers, and community stakeholders to craft landscapes rooted in ecological stewardship, cultural resonance, and human experience. The studio operates primarily in the Pacific Northwest region and holds Oregon COBID-certified Emerging Small Business (ESB #12049) status.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Landscape Architecture Services

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

39 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Scott Edwards ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative architectural partner on multiple residential projects including Glass Link Residence and Hilltop Residence. Ground Workshop provides landscape architecture services in integrated project teams.
• Heliotrope ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for Archery Summit Winery project. Ground Workshop developed landscape design in partnership with Heliotrope for winery renovation and tasting terrace.
• Catena EngineersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering partner for Fremont Pavilion project. Collaborated on structural and civil engineering aspects.
• TVA ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partner for Fremont Pavilion and Boxcar projects. Collaborative project team member for design and construction.
• Fieldwork Design & ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for Hidden Pond Farm master plan and Deux Vert residence. Ground Workshop partners with Fieldwork for integrated home and landscape design.
• Lever ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey architectural partner for T. Joyce Phillips Affordable Housing, World Forestry Center, and Black Butte Residence projects. Specializes in mass timber and affordable housing design.
• Holst ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partner for The Aurora affordable housing, Ninebark, Hazel Ying Lee Apartments, Glisan Landing, Eagle View Park, and Fora Health projects. Recurring collaborative partner across multiple project types.
• HackercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partner for Salem Public Library renovation and Oregon Coast Advanced Technology & Trades Center. Collaborative design team member.
• Vega Civil EngineeringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil engineering partner on T. Joyce Phillips, Brookland Apartments, The Aurora, and Fora Health projects.
• R&H ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for multiple projects including Ninebark, Brookland Apartments, and Fora Health.
• Colas ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for Hazel Ying Lee Apartments and The Aurora affordable housing projects.
• Andersen ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for Albina Library project.
• Killian PacificcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper partner for Welby Tower and Ninebark residential projects. Ground Workshop collaborates on landscape design for mixed-use and residential developments.
• KPFFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering partner for World Forestry Center and Hazel Ying Lee Apartments projects.
• GLAS ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partner for Oregon Coast Advanced Technology & Trades Center project.
• BNDRY StudiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign partner for Oregon Coast Advanced Technology & Trades Center project.
• MazzettiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering partner for Oregon Coast Advanced Technology & Trades Center project.
• Lease Crutcher LewisminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for Oregon Coast Advanced Technology & Trades Center and Jackstraw projects.
• Turner ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for World Forestry Center expansion project.
• DOWL EngineeringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering partner for Ninebark and Eagle View Park projects.
• Related NWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper partner for Glisan Landing affordable housing project. Ground Workshop provides landscape architecture for the connected, multi-generational campus.
• Emerio DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign partner for Glisan Landing project.
• LMC ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for Glisan Landing (Beacon and Aldea portions) project.
• Essex General ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for Glisan Landing preschool portion project.
• Edlen & CominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for Fora Health substance use disorder treatment campus.
• SazanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for Fora Health project.
• Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partner for Saqsaqa Park. Ground Workshop leads multidisciplinary team for park master plan and design.
• Froelich EngineersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering partner for Saqsaqa Park project.
• R&W EngineeringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering partner for Saqsaqa Park project.
• Environmental Science Associates (ESA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental science partner for Saqsaqa Park project.
• Westlake ConsultantsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting partner for Saqsaqa Park project.
• Port of Camas-WashougalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort authority partner for Eagle View Park project on Columbia River waterfront.
• Noll & Tam ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partner for Albina Library renovation and expansion project.
• Project^minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign partner for Boxcar urban development project in Spokane's University District.
• KN VisionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVision/consulting partner for Black Butte Residence project.
• Don Tankersley ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for Hilltop Residence project.
• CBTwo ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural partner for Sea Stack House multigenerational family residence on Oregon Coast.
• Cellar Ridge ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for Sea Stack House and Deux Vert projects.
• Howard S. Wright ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for Salem Public Library project.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Walker Macy: Walker Macy is a Pacific Northwest-based landscape architecture and urban design firm with offices in Portland and Seattle. It is the most directly comparable peer: Ground Workshop team members (Taryn Wiens, Danielle Street) previously worked there, both firms focus on landscape architecture with PNW-anchored practices, and both serve public agencies, parks, and waterfront projects (e.g., Tom McCall Waterfront).
• LandArc Landscape Architects: LandArc Landscape Architects is a Pacific Northwest landscape architecture firm specializing in parks, trails, and community-scale landscape design. Comparable as a peer competing for the same public-sector park master planning, affordable housing landscape, and civic design commissions across Oregon and Washington.
• James Corner Field Operations: Field Operations is a New York-based landscape architecture and urban design studio known for High Line and large-scale public realm work. Comparable as a leading design studio competing for the same civic, waterfront, and park master planning commissions that Ground Workshop targets.
• SWA Group: SWA Group is one of the largest landscape architecture and urban design firms in the world, with offices across the U.S. and Asia. Comparable core service offering (parks, civic spaces, urban development, private gardens) but at a much larger scale, making it a direct competitor for major commissions despite size asymmetry.
• 2.ink Studio: 2.ink Studio is a Portland-based landscape architecture and urban design firm with an integrated architecture practice. Closely comparable in size, geography, and scope; Ground Workshop's founder served as Associate Principal at 2.ink Studio and worked on the Glass Link Residence project there before founding Ground Workshop.
• Sasaki: Sasaki is an integrated design firm combining landscape architecture, urban planning, architecture, and civil engineering. Comparable as a multidisciplinary competitor for large-scale master planning, civic, and campus projects where Ground Workshop also competes, though at a substantially larger scale.
• Reed Hilderbrand: Reed Hilderbrand is a Cambridge, MA-based landscape architecture studio with a national practice focused on cultural landscapes, campuses, parks, and residential estates. Comparable as a design-led, award-winning peer pursuing similar high-end civic and private commissions.
• Nelson Byrd Woltz: Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects is a nationally recognized landscape architecture studio based in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in New York, Houston, and San Francisco. Highly comparable as a high-end design studio operating across parks, civic, healthcare, and cultural landscapes, and where Ground Workshop's founder Tommy Solomon previously worked as an Associate.
• OLIN: OLIN is a Philadelphia-based landscape architecture, urban design, and planning studio with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and London. Comparable as a high-profile, award-winning studio specializing in civic landscapes, parks, and cultural institutions — directly competing for the same marquee public-sector commissions.

Regional players

• Mayer Reed: Mayer Reed is a Pacific Northwest landscape architecture, urban design, and planning firm based in Portland. Comparable as a regional peer with deep roots in the same Portland public-sector and developer ecosystem that Ground Workshop operates in (e.g., THPRD, Metro, Housing Authority), and a direct competitor for PNW civic commissions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ground-workshop

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Ground Workshop