Plantkind
An outdoor spatial design company

Designing landscapes that are site specific and deepen your relationship with the natural world, while utilizing an open creative process and design system. Our work is the intersection of native plant palettes and modern built environments for people to gather. This practice of gardening intends to create a more equitable world that honors and provides sustainable ecosystems.
Studio Overview

Coming Soon
Projects
Archive
Sustainability
Method
Thesis
Docs



Forming connections and sharing recent design projects with behind the scenes thinking @plantkind

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Project Inquiry

Based in San Francisco Bay Area and working with clients along the West Coast and across the planet.
Specialities
Spatial Planning
Schematic Design
Hardscaping
Construction
Planting Palettes
Outdoor Lighting
Furniture Selection
Exterior Finishings
Material Specifications
Water Conservation



Sourcing and Procurement
Project Management
Irrigation Plans
Styling and Curation
Art Direction
Exhibitions
Special Projects
Wayfinding
Rendering Visualization
Permitting
Vehicle gates

    Late fall in El Cerrito




    Full-Service Bespoke
    • 1-4 year engagements
    • Renovations and new builds
    • Residential and commercial
    • Start to finish with project management
    • 2-12 month construction phase
    • 1k square feet up to 5 acres
    • Deep client collaboration
    • Starting construction budgets of $125k
    Exploration Track
    • 1-month long design sprint
    • Ideal for first time homeowners
    • Flexible commitments
    • Option to morph into full-service project
    • Low risk, high value
    • Concept development, spatial plan options, investment outline, and visual directions
    • Flat design fee at $10k
    Project Audit
    • Site discovery, project scope, opportunities/risks analysis, and phasing plan deliverables
    • Budget check
    • Pre-purchase property due diligence
    • Guidance for DIY-ers
    • Landscape perspectives for other trades
    • Video call or site-visit depending on geography
    • Offered at $2k




    Providing guidance for pathways
      
    Blooming

    Growing Conditions Newsletter
    A newsletter about designing outdoor spaces for living. Spanning beyond the ecological realm, it serves as a resource center that gathers the functional objects, outdoor furniture, and architectural features that give form to gardens. Published alongside personal reflections on running a landscape design studio in California and digging into the various fields of research, tools, and systems.


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    01
    Programming

    Learn from the space that surrounds you in your existing site conditions to gain a deep understanding of the unique vision and desired outcomes.
    02
    Schematic

    Explore multiple conceptual directions to establish guiding themes for the landscape that inform and set the tone for the story moving forward.    03
    Development

    Layer planting and material palettes together with selections that align with the project goals and meets the needs of the local ecosystem.
    04
    Documentation

    Communicate the design intent thoughtfully through a set of organized plans to guide the installation of the future outdoor space. 
    Yuccas, Buckwheats, Lemonade Berries


    Sourcing and Procurement
    Seamless project delivery with our network of suppliers for plant material, lighting fixtures, and outdoor furniture. Ensuring the original design intent is brought to life.
    Implementation and Build
    Partnering with landscape contractors, we stay involved through the installation with multiple site visits during the project lifecycle. Often engaging with arborists, electricians, permitting specialists, and plumbers.
    Garden Care
    You can never really finish a garden. On-going maintenance services through our community of gardeners. For those who would like to care for their garden themselves, we are happy to provide guidance and resources.





    Hillside solutions with buckwheats
    Sidewalk strips




    Collections
    Cooking    Housing
    Fitness    Dining
    Edibles    Warmth
    Playing    Pets
    Climate    Swim
    Research and Interests
    Natural Playscapes, Home Electrification, Moments of Stillness, Birds, Carbon Capture, ADU Integrations, Multi-Family Developments, Portals and Gateways, Garden Sculptures, Minimalism, Ecological Restoration, Hiking Trips, Wind Chimes, and Intentional Spaces




    Standard Features

    In-Lite Disc Wall Fixture


    Low-Voltage lighting designed in the Netherlands


    Staffa, Ferm Living


    Outdoor furniture from select brands



    Rivian wall charger


    EV charging stations



    Water Right 50’ hose


    No BPA recycled plastic garden hoses



    Quercus kelloggii


    California native trees for present and future



    Rachio Controller


    Irrigation systems for smart homes with weather intelligence



    Aquor Water System 


    Leak and corrosion resistant, plug and play hose spigots



    Heath Ceramics numbers


    Accessories for home exteriors





    Design System
    Growing series of starting point for landscape design projects. Including a catalog of all potential elements and features you might include in a residential landscape, plus collection of brands and specific products that work well in harmony.
    Boardwalks, pizza lounge seating, and Buckeye tree blossoms
      Manzanitas everywhere

      Sustainability Practices
        • Lawn Replacement
        • Composting Setups
        • Hand Watering 
        • Permeable Surfaces
        • Recycled Products
        • Rainwater Capture
        • Natural Materials
        • Habitat Development
        • Energy Saving Shading
        • Greywater Systems
        • Without Artificial Turf
        • Carbon Capture Concrete
        • Insect Friendly Lighting



        Commercial Projects
        Partnering with like-minded firms to explore outdoor spaces that bring their vision to life. Focused on restaurant groups, multifamily residential, property developers, and mid-stage startups.


        Architecture and Interiors
        Collaborating with architects and interior designers. From holistic large scale projects and smaller scopes where landscape perspectives are needed.
        Job Opportunities
        Always keeping our eyes open for lovely people to work with. Not actively hiring but feel free to reach out and share work samples and your interests. Ideal team members bring design talent plus project management experience.







        Goodnight
         Common Questions

         Are you available to start now or soon?

        Yes. We can move quick. The trees grow bit slower.  

        How much do projects cost? 

        Our projects range from $75k to $5m+. We believe in financial transparency and open conversations.

        Where do you work geographically?

        Anywhere. We’re based in the San Francisco Bay Area but can tackle projects across the country and planet.

        How about commercial projects?

        Yep. Anything spatial and outside we work with, beyond residential.

        What’s the catch with all of this?
        Nothing. We’ll design a garden together and you’ll spend the rest of your life enjoying the natural world.

        Is climate change real?

        Yes.



        Native garden tour day
        Studio Background
        Plantkind is being grown by Lily Bodnar, a queer gardener and artist, with previous experience at design-build firms, native plant nurseries, national design organizations, branding studios, and venture-backed education technology startups.          Member of AIA SF (American Institute of Architects) and California Native Plant Society.
        Acknowledge that our work is on occupied native land
        Established in 2015 in the spring season