About Studio AKA

Studio AKA is a Washington, DC-based landscape architecture practice dedicated to shaping the world to be more just, resilient, and joyful. Our work spans residences, affordable housing, schools, and commercial landscapes, always grounded in a belief that design is a tool for telling our clients’ stories. We work with public agencies, communities, and collaborators to realize landscapes that are ecologically rooted and socially responsive. Our process is guided by our core values:

• Collaboration – We believe the best ideas emerge through dialogue—with each other, our clients, and the communities we serve.
• Curiosity – We approach every project with an open mind and a desire to ask better questions.
• Rigor – We hold ourselves to a high standard of craft and clarity across all phases of design.
• Joy – We design with delight, and we aim to make spaces that feel welcoming, dignified, and alive. We also aim to have fun doing it!

 Role Overview

We are looking for a Senior Landscape Architect/Technical Director  to join our passionate and growing team. This role is ideal for someone who is eager to learn, contribute creatively, and grow within a mission-driven studio. You’ll support a wide variety of residential  and public realm projects across all phases, working closely with senior staff on design, documentation, and engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee technical execution of projects from schematic design through construction administration
• Establish and maintain firm-wide CAD/BIM/Revit standards, drawing templates, and QA/QC procedures
• Lead the preparation of construction documents and specifications
• Coordinate closely with architects, engineers, and contractors to resolve complex design and constructability issues
• Mentor and review work of junior staff; foster professional growth and design literacy within the studio
• Contribute to early design phases with technical insight and material innovation
• Manage permitting, bid, and construction administration processes for multiple projects
• Engage in the RFP/Business Development process
• Bring energy, perspective, and thoughtful curiosity to everything you touch.

Qualifications

• Degree in Landscape Architecture (BLA or MLA) from an accredited program.
• Must hold a valid landscape architecture license; DC/VA/MD preferred.
• 8-15 years of experience in a landscape architecture or architecture office leading projects and mentoring staff
• Strong visual communication skills and a demonstrated design sensibility.
• Fluency in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and SketchUp; familiarity with Revit, Lumion, Rhino, and/or GIS a plus. We are a Vectorworks based office and expect to teach you this software.
• Proven success with various project types.
• Passion for public space, equity-centered design, and ecological thinking.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Based in the DC region or willing to relocate.

Why Join Studio AKA?

• Be part of a team deeply committed to meaningful public work.
• Enjoy a collaborative studio culture that balances rigor with joy.
• Get exposure to all aspects of practice and pathways for partnership.
• Contribute to projects that reflect the diverse communities of our region.
• Be well-supported in work-life balance through flexibility and financial incentives.

How to Apply

• Please email a single PDF (10MB max) that includes a cover letter, résumé, and portfolio to dani@studio-aka.com. Use the subject line:
  “Senior Landscape Architect/Technical Director Application – [Your Name]”.
  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Description:

Arentz Landscape Architects, a small boutique landscape architecture firm, is seeking a talented and experienced Senior Landscape Architect for the Washington, DC office. Our practice is 90% high-end residential with the occasional institutional project including niche hotels, private schools, and museums. We practice across a broad spectrum of scales from large rural estates to small urban gardens developing big picture relationships and intensely focusing on the execution the finer details. ALA has developed a consistent body of award-winning work based on the philosophy that the creation of place is critical to the outcome of a project and achieved through an understanding of scale, proportion, and context to develop projects that fit their environment. Underlying all of our work is the acknowledgement that each project is unique, and an appropriate response is one that carefully integrates client values with layers of culture, history, and materials. Our projects are primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region with a D.C., Maryland, Virginia focus. However, we frequently have projects outside of the region and occasionally abroad.

Experience Required:  

Qualified candidates will have 6 to 10 years of experience as project manager.  Extensive construction documentation and project management experience required.  Current Maryland or Virginia Licensure is preferred.

Responsibilities:

Skills/Qualifications:

Educational Requirements:   Undergraduate or graduate degree in Landscape Architecture.

Salary commensurate with work experience. Email resume, portfolio, references information to:

Kathleen Fisher

accounting@arentzdc.com

Arentz Landscape Architects, a small boutique landscape architecture firm, is seeking a talented and motivated Mid-level Designer/Landscape Architect. Our practice is 90% high-end residential with the occasional institutional project including niche hotels, private schools, and museums. We practice across a broad spectrum of scales from large rural estates to small urban gardens developing big picture relationships and intensely focusing on the execution of the finer details. ALA has developed a consistent body of award-winning work based on the philosophy that the creation of place is critical to the outcome of a project and achieved through an understanding of scale, proportion, and context to develop projects that fit their environment. Underlying all of our work is the acknowledgement that each project is unique, and an appropriate response is one that carefully integrates client values with layers of culture, history, and materials. Our projects are primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region with a D.C., Maryland, and Virginia focus. However, we frequently have projects outside of the region and occasionally abroad.

Interested persons should demonstrate strong design and graphic skills including hand drawing. Candidates should be creative, efficient, adaptable to changing schedules and priorities and be comfortable working both collaboratively and independently. The successful candidate will be a self-starter with attention to detail and will be expected to think critically to develop projects from design conception through construction.

Our offices are located in Old Town Warrenton, Virginia among the foothills of the Blue Ridge and at Dupont Circle, Washington, DC.

EXPERIENCE:

Qualified candidates must have at least two years of experience in a professional setting and an undergraduate or graduate degree in Landscape Architecture.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

Salary commensurate with work experience and skill set.

Email resume, portfolio, and reference information to Kathleen Fisher at accounting@arentzdc.com