As a young woman, Linda walked with two paths in front of her; becoming an architect or a forest ranger. While exploring careers in the public library she saw a brochure for landscape architecture and quickly realized this was the way to combine her dreams.
After working in California, Linda moved to Colorado where she began working for the City of Fort Collins as their Senior Planner and Urban Designer. She quickly came to believe that clients are the true heroes by taking the risk of developing. As the founder and managing partner of Ripley Design Inc., Linda has completed planning, design, and contract documents for a variety of projects including industrial, office, commercial, recreational, and residential projects.
What gets you up in the morning?
When she started Ripley Design in 1991 she began to work directly with clients and developers. Their dreams and ideas inspired her to no end, she had finally found her creative outlet. She is known for her ability to translate thoughts and ideas into clear visions. This is a skill that is backed by understanding the costs involved and being able to see design from the eyes of the people who will interact with it most: the target demographic
Professional affiliations, awards, community involvement:
- American Society of Landscape Architects
- Urban Land Institute
Education:
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Kansas State University
My father was an industrial designer. I remember watching him working at his drafting table creating unique products for custom corporate planes. That image inspired me to pursue design. Not wanting to be constrained by an object I chose landscape architecture and land planning where I can help my clients shape our built environment.
What gets you up in the morning?
Our office has great coffee. Come in and try it!
Professional affiliations, awards, community involvement:
- Urban Land Institute
- Construction Specification Institute Certification
- LEED Accreditation
Fort Collins Urban Design Awards:
- Spring Canyon Park
- Veterans Plaza
- The Union Restaurant
- Twin Silo Park
Colorado ASLA Award:
- Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District
Education:
- Masters of Landscape Architecture Iowa State University
- Bachelors of Landscape Architecture Iowa State University
- B.S. History Truman State University
Growing up Sam dreamed of becoming a biomedical engineer. His goal was to solve problems for people utilizing new prosthetic designs. Upon arriving at college he quickly learned engineering is heavy on physics courses. Sam hates physics. After being guided towards a degree in landscape architecture instead, he was convinced that his creative talents would be better suited designing spaces rather than body parts.
Today Sam lives everyday doing what he loves, solving problems. Whether he is designing an intimate restaurant patio or a 500 lot community, landscape architecture and land planning offers an outlet for his creative drive. At the same time, the deep code knowledge required to negotiate a municipality’s entitlement process then feeds his inner engineer, lawyer and politician.
What gets you up in the morning?
Each day presents Sam with opportunities for creative solutions to unique problems, and he couldn’t be happier.
Professional affiliations, awards, community involvement:
- Colorado State University Alumni Advisory Board
- Urban Land Institute (ULI)
- Practicing Landscape Architect licensed (PLA): Colorado
Education:
- Bachelors of Science in Landscape Architecture from Colorado State University
- PSMJ Project Management Certification
Hobbies:
- Musical instruments
- Volleyball
- Rock climbing