Design Concepts Celebrates New Hires and Staff Accomplishments
From left to right, Amber Hernandez, Jenny Crehore, Roger Burkart and Benjamin Simms.
Lafayette, Colorado...May 6, 2015 Design Concepts, an award-winning community and landscape architecture firm, announced several staffing news events.
Roger Burkart, PLA, is an accomplished award-winning landscape architect and planner brings extensive expertise to the firm. His background includes leading and working for several highly regarded private sector firms along with work at the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service. Roger has worked on over 30 projects for the National Park Service including highly acclaimed projects at Yellowstone National Park, Memorial Parks, Grand Canyon, Sequoia National Park, and the Jefferson Memorial on the National Mall. He has an equally impressive portfolio of public and commercial work, and resort planning including ski resorts and village lodging in Colorado, California, the Pacific Northeast, Canada and Spain. Roger obtained his Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan, and his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning from Utah State University. As a Senior Project Manager, Roger’s extensive skills are being used to manage the firm’s adventure/inclusive playground in Bellevue, Washington, assist in business development, and serve as mentor to staff.
Amber Hernandez joins the firm as one of its newest landscape designers after receiving her Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Colorado where she also earned her and Bachelor of Environmental Design. Amber’s creativity and passion for impacting the lives of children through positive outdoor experiences will be a huge asset to firm’s school and park designs.
Benjamin Simms relocated from Georgia to live and work in Colorado and is the firm’s newest landscape designer. He is an outdoor enthusiast serving as a volunteer for the Eagle Scouts, and Backpacking and Mountain Biking Counselor at Cheley Colorado Camps among other non-profit and community organizations. Ben is a member and advocate of ‘Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics’ promoting concepts of preserving nature. Ben received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia.
Other Staff News
Jenny Crehore received her Master of Business Administration from Regis University bringing a heightened level of professional expertise to the firm’s accounting and operational perspective. President Carol Henry said, “Jenny is such an asset to Design Concepts, always having a great attitude while providing a myriad of front-office essentials. Her dedication to improving her business knowledge will be a great benefit to the company.”
Robby Layton, FASLA, PLA, Principal of the firm, was awarded an ‘Outstanding Faculty Member’ for 2015 by his peers at North Carolina State University. Rob is an adjunct instructor at the College of Design as part of his assistantship while pursuing his Ph.D.
New Projects
The firm has started work on The Art Hub in Lafayette where classes for theater, art and dance will be offered for children. Other new projects include Pagosa Springs Medical Center, Highline Lake and Stagecoach State Parks for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Gillette College Student Housing, site improvements with JVA, Inc. at six Boulder Valley School District middle schools (synthetic track and field projects), a Recreation Facilities Feasibility Study in Loveland, and several GIS, inventory and analysis projects with GreenPlay LLC., inluding Plainfield, Illinois, and Widefield School District.
About Design Concepts
Founded in 1981, Design Concepts is in its third decade providing thoughtful, innovative and dynamic designs for public and private spaces. Design Concepts is nationally recognized as a leader in creating and re-imagining spaces that embrace community gathering, recreation and play, connections to nature, and a focus on the environment. They continue to innovate healthy learning landscapes, and entertaining outdoor community places from shopping centers, to Main Street, to new parklands. The firm’s current work includes a variety of learning landscapes, destination parks, projects plugging ‘nature into play,’ inclusive playgrounds, new recreation amenities, shopping centers and planning for living communities.
