McKenna K.

*LID - Low Impact Development Certified (stormwater retention & mitigation, green roofs, cisterns, raingardens, and permeable pavement)* *NFPA Certified for Wildfire Residential Risk Reduction* *WSU Certified Naturalist* I am an architectural and landscape designer, working since 2015-2021 at professional firms and then at my own business, Relics Design, since 2022. I also have 4 years experience as a landscaper (hard labor kind), and 4 years of undergrad training at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. My skillset centers around native-first landscape design across the US, customized residential renovations, commercial renovations and interior design specifically for restaurants, wildfire prevention and mitigation work, water reclamation, and environmental assessments/site analysis for homesteads, but I have experience in many, many different areas. My most recent projects have been residential landscaping plans, master planning subdivisions, residential renovation for a disabled family, and assisting a family farm with code research. Prior, I've been involved in projects ranging from creating Historic District Design Standards in Arlington, WA, providing conceptual designs for the UW Ext. Discovery Garden public entry in Mount Vernon, WA, and the Saketome/Michi Ramen Bar restaurant remodel and expansion in Missoula MT. Please note I am not an Architect and cannot stamp drawings. ----------------------------More below---------------------------- I have been working since I was 13, mainly in restaurants, so restaurant design has a big place in my heart. In fact, I've worked parttime in restaurants for a few decades because the work is so opposite of this. I learned that hard work, longevity and durability of materials, and ease of use for all end users is the most important factor in well-designed spaces. Every project has the opportunity to engage and satisfy any design needs through collaboration and clear communication. I am an advocate for making your property climate resilient (think floods, drought, high wind, and high heat) through native landscaping, permaculture, hugelkultur, water reclamation, and watershed restoration, while also fully embracing your aesthetics - roses, hostas, non-natives, we can make those work as long as they are treated the right way as non-natives. I also push pretty hard for sustainability in architecture, via the Circular Economy standards: lifecycle planning, material sourcing, strict labor standards, etc, and using small Passive House tactics to make a more energy efficient building envelope without breaking your bank. I truly believe that your nostalgia, your happy thoughts, your favorite colors, seasons, and textures can be combined through architectural/landscape design to give you a home you really feel Happy in. We, you and me, do that by finding the right materials, lighting techniques, and design details based on your particular psychology. No more beige, grey, and white value-based houses! Lets bring some personality back :). I hope you find commonality with my values and find them a reason to work with me, time and time again. Thank you for checking out my profile!