Get to Know Our Landscape Architects

April 30, 2026

Landscape Architects play an important and sometimes overlooked role in our everyday lives. Well-versed in their craft, they use their creativity to incorporate natural elements into the built environment. Whenever you’re picnicking in the park, strolling through a shady courtyard, or resting on a suburban sidewalk bench, you’re enjoying outdoor spaces thoughtfully designed by Landscape Architects.

To learn more about what it’s like to step into their shoes, we sat down with KBJW’s Landscape Architecture team to hear what their profession means to them.

Meet the Landscape Architects

Gary Scottow, LA, is a licensed Professional Landscape Architect and the Director of Landscape Architecture at KBJW. With more than 35 years of experience, Gary oversees all landscape designs and residential land planning projects that come through the company. Each workday for him is different. On some days, he is in the office creating new designs, and on others, he is out in the field witnessing his designs come to life.

Alongside him is Senior Landscape Designer, Carlton Hines. Carlton has more than 12 years of landscape design experience and is in the process of obtaining his professional Landscape Architect’s license. He works on a wide variety of residential and commercial projects, developing landscape plans and deciding which plant species to use. A typical day for him includes designing plant buffers, responding to planning comments, conducting site visits, preparing field observation reports, analyzing zoning ordinances, and tracking planting requirements.

Working on a Project

Over the years, the two have each developed extensive experience in Landscape Architecture. According to Gary, their role is to incorporate man-made structures into the natural environment in an aesthetically pleasing way. “You’re trying to blend it [man-made structures] so that whatever you’re doing design-wise, blends in with the environment that it’s in,” he explains. He often uses techniques like creating paths with natural stone or including a variety of native plants so his designs can integrate in a seamlessly natural way, while still highlighting an environment’s appealing features.

While designing, Gary notes that it is vital to account for the future impact of a project, as it can “affect a tremendous number of people.” Carlton expands upon this and stresses the significance of how a project will affect “the health, safety, and welfare of people.” Every detail, from plant species to neighboring communities to wildlife, must be considered when creating a design. Ultimately, the goal is to create a safe and accessible space that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age or ability.

Another top priority for a Landscape Architect is to foster a strong client relationship. Gary believes that earning a client’s trust is key to bringing their vision to life. He takes pride in “being able to meet a client’s needs” and delivering a product he “can be proud to put KBJW’s name on.” He adds that it is a good feeling “seeing people enjoy something that you’ve designed.”

TowneBank in Bloom

A standout example for Gary comes from designing the layout of the flagship TowneBank location in Chesterfield, Virginia. He served as the project’s Principal Landscape Architect and worked closely with the client “to make a statement with the landscape design,” he says.

A statement they did deliver. Gary immediately got to work and devised an arrangement that could gradually change throughout the year, while still maintaining its attractive appearance. His vision was to design plantings that flower year-round and offer seasonal color and variety.

He hand-selected and researched each plant to ensure its long-term environmental effects and appearance would benefit the design. In the end, he created a captivating design that would mature dynamically and “change every day with new growth.” Gary says he occasionally drives by the location to see “how much it’s matured” and that it still makes him “feel proud to look at.”

New Perspective at Pleasant View

Some projects also serve as important teaching moments. For Carlton, one of his most memorable was a tree survey for the proposed Pleasant View Apartments in Strasburg, Virginia. During the early planning process, Carlton and the team set out to locate and identify more than 600 existing trees surrounding the then-wooded site. The objective was to utilize the identified trees as a natural buffer between the existing neighborhood and the future apartment building.

Throughout the process, Carlton was able to better understand how their designs “translate in the real world,” and the direct impact they have on others. He explains how he and the team had the opportunity to speak with the project’s surrounding neighbors who initially expressed concerns about the development. To ease their concerns, he was able to directly explain how their designs would incorporate the tree buffer in response to their feedback. Carlton says the interaction “made the project feel more meaningful.” He shares that it helped reinforce how their “work directly impacts people and communities” and that it’s “not just drawings on a page.”

Part of the KBJW Team

Gary and Carlton are both important members of the KBJW team. Carlton has been with the company for more than a year, while Gary is going on his eighth year. They have thoroughly enjoyed their time here and say it is a standout team with its quality of work, opportunity to grow, and, most importantly, the people. Carlton passionately expresses how the team is “kind, thoughtful, down-to-earth and supportive” and that “there’s a strong culture of collaboration and openness.” Gary seconds this and shares that it is an honor to work with such a supportive team each day.

They both have contributed exceptional work at KBJW. With their creativity and keen eye for detail, they have created timeless landscape designs that we are proud to put our name on. Their hard work is reflected every day, and we are excited to see what the future holds.