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Schmidt Design Group, an award-winning landscape architecture and planning firm, has opened a new office in the Mountain West. The expansion follows more than four decades of shaping urban and natural spaces with a sustainability-first approach throughout the Western United States. Principal Todd Schechinger leads the new office based in the RiNo District of Denver, building on 13 years with the firm and 20 years in the landscape architecture industry.
Schechinger, a licensed landscape architect and member of the local American Society of Landscape Architects chapter, is passionate about connecting people to place through authentic and meaningful design solutions. His move from San Diego to Denver marks a return to his early roots. He started his landscape architectural career in Denver, working at a global, multi-disciplinary design and planning firm after graduating from North Carolina State University with a master’s degree in landscape architecture.
Schmidt Design Group chose Denver for its thriving culture, geography where urban living and connecting with nature are intertwined and Schechinger’s connection to the city. The new office brings the firm closer to existing and new clients and opens new opportunities to support projects across Colorado, the Mountain West and beyond.
“Our work is shaped through team-based collaboration, thoughtfully integrating community and client priorities with the site’s inherent attributes,” said JT Barr, president and managing partner of Schmidt Design Group. “As we expand into Colorado and the Mountain West, we’re bringing a design philosophy grounded in storytelling, focusing on creating vibrant environments that strengthen communities and reflect the unique character of the region.”
Since its founding in 1983, the firm has been guided by the philosophy of balancing artistic design with environmental stewardship. These ambitions are reflected in the firm’s commitment to realizing “positive change by design,” which continues to inform and inspire their craft. Schmidt Design Group’s work spans the Western United States, including thousands of projects across multiple markets. The firm is known for its community-focused parks and civic spaces, commercial campuses, market-rate and affordable housing, retail and lifestyle environments, healthcare and K-12 and university campuses.
“As communities across Denver and the Mountain West continue to grow, we as landscape architects have the incredible responsibility to enrich their quality of life and create meaningful places for them to thrive,” said Schechinger. “Schmidt Design Group’s goal is to create spaces that facilitate progress while preserving the character of the natural environment. Colorado residents love to be active and outdoors, no matter the weather — and the spaces we create must embrace this ethos.”
The Schmidt Design Group Colorado office is backed by 40 employees nationally, including 11 licensed landscape architects, a U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (USGBC LEED) accredited professional, two Green Business Certification Inc. SITES accredited professionals, two International Society of Arboriculture certified arborists, two certified playground safety inspectors, a qualified Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan developer and a certified landscape irrigation auditor.
