Mariani Landscape welcomed 54 landscape architects, designers, builders and leaders from across the country this past July to its Highland Park Design Studio for the 2025 Design Summit. The summit was created to connect, challenge and inspire members of the Mariani Premier Group.
This was the second annual design summit for the Mariani Premier Group following the initial summit held in 2024 at the Berghoff Design Group offices in Phoenix, Ariz. Attendees came from 14 different companies from a wide range of geographies and climates, bringing with them different design perspectives and experiences. They engaged in immersive programming focused on collaboration, hands-on design and professional growth over the course of three days.
The summit opened with a welcome reception at the design studio, featuring remarks from Mariani Premier Group founder Frank Mariani, Mariani Landscape president Johannes Louwers and Mariani Landscape director of design Colleen Barkley, who led the event’s planning and programming.
“Our goal with the Design Summit was to share ideas and creative practices that every member of this group can bring back to their teams,” said Barkley. “It is a great opportunity to come together as a larger team to blend our ideas, problem solving approaches and resources with the family of design teams.”
The second day began with a collaborative design charrette. Attendees broke into teams and were asked to conceptualize designs for two completed projects they had not seen. After working through their ideas and presenting their concepts, the group had the opportunity to visit the actual built projects and reflect on how their interpretations aligned — or differed — from the final installations.
That evening, the group attended the Ravinia Festival for a night under the stars, where Beck performed alongside the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
“This reminds us that we can lean on our peers across the Premier Group — ask questions, share ideas and continually improve,” said Hannah Seaton of Ed Castro Landscape in Roswell, Ga.
On the last day, participants spent the morning at the Chicago Botanic Garden, sketching and exploring the 385-acre grounds. It was a chance to slow down, observe and draw as a way to process design. The afternoon continued with breakout sessions focused on best practices and supplier presentations, followed by a closing dinner.
“Bringing together designers from all these different companies strengthens the Premier Group as a whole,” said Jeff Berghoff, founder of the Berghoff Design Group in Scottsdale, Ariz. “They’re going to return to their studios fired up — more passionate, more inspired. That energy leads to better work, stronger referrals and ultimately, better projects.”
“It was overwhelming,” said Clayton Smith of Ed Castro Landscape, “but in the best possible way.”
For the designers and architects who attended and the teams they’re bringing ideas back to, Design Summit 2025 delivered on its mission, according to the company: inspiration, connection and a renewed commitment to excellence.
