Melanie Ames recently returned to Colorado to continue her career at the firm as a landscape architect and designer. She brings to the team an exceptional blend of design experience in community master planning, parks and open space design, landscape architecture, and planning with technical skills in GIS and 3D modeling.  She will bring an added level of special attention to working with rural Colorado communities as well as with downtown revitalization projects. Her training and specialization as a landscape artist complement our firm’s range of expression through beautiful design solutions, often reflected in rendered art form. Melanie received her Bachelors of Science in Landscape Architecture from Colorado State University.

Billy Braasch brings his experience in landscape architecture, drafting and graphic design to the firm.  His background with engineering technician and drafting adds to the firm’s technical expertise.  Since joining the firm, he has helped implement the firm’s new branding to celebrate 35 years in business.  He has specialized training in Google SketchUp, AutoCAD, building information modeling (BIM), and computer rendering and graphic design tools.  Billy attended Colorado School of Mines focusing on engineering and drafting and ultimately received his Bachelor of Arts, with concentration in graphic design, from Colorado State University. 

Lisa Langer, PLA, is a 20-year veteran landscape architect and planner with unique experience in conservation, natural resources, community planning, institutional site design, and a variety of landscape design projects . Lisa attended the University of Colorado at Denver earning her Master of Landscape Architecture, and the University of New Hampshire where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art. Prior to joining Design Concepts, she was focused on flood recovery planning for her family farm and residence in Erie, Colorado.  She became very adept at flood recovery planning as she worked on project planning, grant proposals, navigation with government jurisdiction approvals, and project coordination with engineers, architects, surveyors, fire protection, site and utility planners.  At Design Concepts, Lisa brings a unique perspective and expertise in design and planning of wetlands, wildlife habitat planning, trail and interpretive trail design, natural resources planning, as well as traditional landscape architecture projects including schools and town parks.