We absolutely loved working with Garden Architecture to transform our yard! Robert, David, Edwin, and Freddy were our core four-some--along with periodic visits from the rest of the awesome team. Together, they provided a mix of expertise, passion and hard work that was a pleasure to witness. To a person, they take pride in what they are doing, and operate with the utmost care and attention to detail. Highpoints for us: Multi-talented. The first thing they did was build a new set of exterior stairs. I can't quite describe what makes these stairs so wonderful. They are beautiful cedar stairs, with an elegant but understated design--but there's something more. The angle of the rise, the generosity of the tread, the gracious bannister--something about walking up and down these stairs makes me feel happy every day! But that was just one of so many things Team Garden Architecture did, and each surpassed our expectations. Robert's team laid beautiful stonework, fabricated a wonderful metal fence and wire mesh trellises, built a spectacular gate, and more. Everything they built for us has the same aesthetic grace and functional brilliance as the stairs. We were continuously amazed at the result and at the breadth of expertise on the team. So talented! And that was all before the planting! Design-build approach. We really appreciated Garden Architecture's design-build approach. They don't just hand you a design on paper that will theoretically be beautiful--they work with you to actually build the design, making modifications along the way as things come up and to ensure that it will work in your situation. Because they use this approach and go on to maintain some of the gardens they build, their team possesses an extraordinary amount of experience of what actually works in which circumstances. The result is that they generate tried and true designs. Custom. We never felt like Garden Architecture was using a template. In fact, Robert talked about the need to spend time on our site over time to be able to fully come to know our yard, how it was positioned in relationship to the sun, sight lines, wind patterns, etc. Our particular situation has a certain amount of casual funkiness (which we like!) and they worked with that to create a design that featured this look and feel. Robert found salvaged objects and worked them into the plan. David helped us place some of what we already had and chose plants that fit the feel. The process of working with Garden Architecture felt like a rich, flexible collaboration. The result is something that is unique and feels like us. They love plants! What a pleasure it was to hear Robert and David talk passionately about the delicate blue flowers of the dianella plant, the incredible texture of a river birch's bark, the size of a viburnum's blooms, or the amazing cannemois grandis grass that grows over six feet tall. Their passion was contagious! Robert took us on more than one field trip on which we hunted for the perfect tree or shrub or boulder. David, in particular, has an encyclopedic knowledge of plants and the conditions under which they will be happy. He has been super helpful as we learn to tend the plants on our own and I continue to hear his voice as I do my daily walk through the yard. What a pleasure to benefit from such authentic enthusiasm and deep expertise. It's worth also saying that for us this was an enormous job--one for which we had to save up. I would guess, that in contrast, ours was likely a relatively small job for Garden Architecture. Yet, they always--always!-- treated our project as if it was super important to them, helped us find ways to save costs, were game to rebuild an existing fence (rather than start new), etc. Having now seen all that Robert, David and team did, we consider Garden Architecture work to have been extraordinarily high value. We are so grateful for what they did and enthusiastically give Garden Architecture our highest recommendation! read more

Great design process, outstanding, multi-talented team. Fun to work with. Our outdoor space is now a place we want to be in, when we aren't admiring it from the window. Came in under budget. read more

We couldn't have been more pleased with what Robert and his folks did for us. Our garden was a mess and his ideas were terrific. The work was done quickly, even though a lot of changes were made by us as we went along. In the ensuing years, Robert has responded each time we have had a problem in the garden. He's always been willing and able to come over and take a look, suggest fixes, and help with them. Garden Architecture gets five stars and if there were more I'd be giving them to them. read more

The folks at Garden Architecture did an amazing job with our Berkeley garden. Robert and team were flexible and attentive throughout the design and construction phases of the project. They offered valuable input and expertise when needed and were sensitive to our budget. The crew was professional and a pleasure to have around. Most importantly, they all have a great design sense and the garden looks beautiful! read more

Robert and his team are unparalleled in their design vision, skill and professionalism. Not only is our garden award-winning, but we receive nearly weekly notes in our mailbox from passersby inquiring about our landscape. We worked with Robert's team on a complete landscape redesign and installation and were blown away by the results. Every detail was well thought out and meticulously executed. We loved working with his team and without question, would work with them again. It doesn't get any better than Garden Architecture. They are the best of the best! read more

I have now worked with Robert and his team at Garden Architecture on several projects and I am so pleased with the work they have done. My neighbors always comment on how much they love my garden and on the weekends, I always see people gathered in front of my house taking photos and marveling at the combination of all the plants and their placement. If you have never hired a landscape architect before and wonder if it's worth it... I would strongly recommend Garden Architecture. Over the years, I have wasted my money on hiring 2 overconfident gardeners who oversold their abilities. Both times, because they did not understand the optimal combination of plants and sunlight, my front yard looked very cluttered. Today, it is truly a work of art, and I take none of the credit. It was all Robert and his amazing team. David, the designer for my front yard in Elmwood is incredible. I cannot express how happy I feel when I come home and see everything blooming and healthy. The difference between a gardener and landscape architect is that of a musician vs a composer. The composer can see and hear the entire symphony. The landscape architect can see the entire garden even before the first plant is planted. They can anticipate the changing of the plants through the entire 4 seasons in harmony with every other plant in the garden. Nothing but praise for Garden Architecture! read more

It is a rare pleasure to engage with talented designers who truly listen to the client in this day and age. Working with Garden Architecture is a bona fide collaboration and a great pleasure! Robert, David, Teresa and the team worked seamlessly with us to craft an elegant and functional vision for our back garden. When the project was complete, it dawned on us that they had in fact created an additional beautiful "room" that we could lounge and daydream in, except that it was actually outside, so cool. Blown away, we went back to Robert and the Garden Architecture team the next year to collaborate on a design for our front courtyard, same swoony results. Both projects came in under budget and ahead of schedule, another exceptional pleasure in this day and age. What really drives and underpins the elegance, professionalism and thoughtfulness of their work however is the pride they take in their work. We only wish we had more outside space to collaborate on another project with them. Garden Architecture is an all aces team! read more

I have worked with Robert, David and the Garden Architecture team on two major projects - the patio of my restaurant and our home in Mill Valley. In both cases I couldn't be happier with the results. They are a pleasure to work with and bring decades of experience to the process. They have a refined sensibility and great taste in plants, shrubs and trees. Their in-house install team rocks! Four years ago we had a nearly empty lot around our newly constructed home - today the grounds are so lush and verdant it's hard to believe the plantings haven't been there for far longer. I highly recommend them! read more

Garden Architecture - front view of our home - Landscaping Near Me - Berkeley, California

Long overdue: Robert Trachtenberg redesigned and transformed our backyard in 2017. It's magical-looking; but it was a huge, demanding project. We took out grass, leveled three tiers into one, added a brick terrace, hot tub, two sets of stairs, tons of landscaping and outdoor lighting. We knew generally what we wanted -- more usable space, more sunlight, and a tub -- and Robert reimagined the space, then provided the technical expertise and manpower to get us there. During the process he was creative, attentive, and skilled. He was also patient. We took a long time to finalize our design. David Lindberg, who handles planting for him, is an amazing resource. He seems to know every plant and where to source it. GA's crew has been with them for a long time and they are nice guys, as well as good workers; they were easy to have around. Can't recommend more highly. read more

Garden Architect is exceptional in every way. Robert Trachtenberg, David Lindberg and their team transformed our entire garden into a functional and spectacular space that is a show stopper in our neighborhood. They are thoughtful and considerate and fun to work with. They brought love and imaginative design to our landscape and created an invitation to be in nature. They brought a celebration of the four elements, working elegantly with the aesthetic of our home and surrounding space. The Garden Architecture (GA) crew was always professional, meticulous and kind. They are experienced garden artists. Each day Robert and his team arrived, it was as if a blanket of comfort and expertise was healing our bedraggled landscape. It was a wonder to witness a metamorphosis of beauty. GA offers complete, classic and outstanding garden architecture. They are inspired and inspiring! read more

We could not be happier with Robert Trachtenberg and his team at Garden Architecture. They turned our scrappy backyard into a dreamy, serene paradise. Everyone on the team is the best at what they do - Robert, David, Oscar, Theresa,.... For a very small yard, our project seemed to include everything - fencing, complicted drainage issues, bamboo containment, stone work and a fountain, deck revival, firepit, and, of course, plantings. Working with GA has been a collaborative and dynamic experience. The result is sedate and calm. Grateful to GA. read more

Robert Trachenberg, his team, and his crew are the best in the business. We did a major project on all of our outdoor scape - hard scaling and landscaping a few years ago. We couldn't have been happier with every phase of the work. We hired Robert and his crew to maintain the garden for us. It looks as good today as it did when I was first finished. They pay attention to all the details. They are also super responsive whenever anything comes up. You will never meet a more competent, professional, courteous and friendly crew!! read more

Garden Architecture is the best. After a whole-house remodel, all that was left was the landscaping. GA has done wonderful and beautiful work. Robert Trachtenberg and his team, esp. David and Teresa, are brilliant artists and craftsmen. They have really transformed our property with landscaping that is beautiful and elegant but still so natural and unpretentious. We ended up with a pretty complex project that involved multiple phases and we explored many options all along the way. GA has always gone the extra mile for us. They have always been wonderful to work with. Their crew is fast and professional. All-in-all, we just couldn't be happier with GA. We feel lucky to have had them on our team! read more

Robert and his team redesigned our front and back gardens and it has grown into a beautiful oasis in just one year. The design team reconfigured our back deck and stairway to make our desired indoor/outdoor connection. The brick patio and walkways are extremely well built. We are enjoying herbs and veggies from the raised bed and are looking forward to our first crop of citrus. The team worked with us to make choices within our budget and selected plants that are both unusual and grow well in our climate with minimal water. I am especially enjoying Robert's environmentally thoughtful outdoor "moonlighting". The crew was are easy to work with and installation went very quickly. I can recommend them without reservation. read more

Robert and his team worked very closely with us to completely re-engineer our landscaping in St. Helena. Other than existing lawns, he made wonderful suggestions for layout and plantings and worked tirelessly to make it a reality. New plants and watering system. He worked with our architect, interior designer and contractor to plan the landscaping. Toward the end, he had a great idea about the courtyard after finding the perfect trees so we were happy to make revisions. The garden had filled in and is a delight every day. He and his team were very professional and timely read more

We had a mess of a yard, and I could not see it's potential. Robert and team only needed about 5 minutes to envision what I was unable to. After that, they spent a good deal of time getting to the bottom of my preferences, really listening well when I asked for mostly edibles and a lush thriving garden. They were super fast, incredibly respectful of my time and budget, and today, about 5 years later, I still look out the back door and can't believe how beautiful my yard is- filled with produce winter spring and summer. The work has held up exceptionally well - in fact I've only asked them over once in that time to add some new plantings as my tastes had evolved slightly. Once again, they were fast, and the result has been dreamy. read more

I had the pleasure of working with Robert Trachtenberg and his team from Garden Architecture from April 2012 to January 2013. Although I've had no prior knowledge of the company, I decided to contact the company based on their online portfolio. I immediately felt at ease after my initial meeting with Robert. He was honest, to the point, and very pleasant. He assured me that the workers were his staff, and that he only sub-contracts for tasks beyond his specialization, like paving and tree removal. Robert assigned the designer David Lindberg for our project. Being a professional artist myself, I wanted to work with someone with a solid design sense and David fit the bill perfectly. David was very easy to collaborate, and both he and Robert had great ideas to infuse sophisticated modern curb appeal to my outdated mid-century ranch. Referencing the image board that I provided at our initial meeting, they designed a gorgeous garden which was not only beautiful, but fit my lifestyle as well as water-conserving. Robert made a daily visit to check in on the progress during the construction, and he was quick to address if he foresaw any problems. He even accompanied me to my neighbor's house during a minor hiccup regarding the property line, as well as following through with the stucco mason when he discovered a damage to our garden wall during our final walkthrough. I've always felt that I was in good hands with Robert, and that was very important with a big project like landscaping. And last but not least, I have to commend on the yard crew spearheaded by Oscar Hernandez. I witnessed them work tirelessly over a few months through rain and shine, both in cold and hot weather. Oscar and his crew were at my house promptly at 7 every morning, and did an amazingly thorough job each day. I really appreciated that they work very clean, and maintained the work site in order each day. Without saying, I highly recommend Garden Architecture to anyone who is looking for a good design and build landscaping company. read more

I found him extremely difficult to work with. He has his own ideas, and doesn't listen well. In his defense, everyone who sees our yard says it is beautiful. However, it's MY yard and every time I see it all I think about is how difficult he was to deal with and how I ended up with exactly what I didn't want. And yes, I have the right business in mind, even though he keeps emailing me to say I have him mixed up with someone else. read more

i heard of heard trachtenberg and his work, saw some examples of his project. and took a chance, and got far more then i paid for with concepts that made my terrible back yard into a garden of eden. all my guest are amazed at its transformation. bravo and thanks robert read more

I highly recommend Robert Trachtenberg and his team at Garden Architecture. They completely redesigned our front and backyard and we couldn't be happier about the outcome. GA were incredibly creative and thoughtful about solutions for our tricky hillside property. His staff is very very skilled, they built a beautiful stone courtyard, various decks and terraces, even steel retaining walls. All of their work is incredibly precise and solid, they just never took any short cuts. Everything was built on site and it was amazing to see their craftsmanship working with the various materials. Very high quality work throughout. The plant selection is spot on. All our new plants are happy and thriving. My husband (architect) and I found the perfect match with Robert and his team. They embraced our preference for modern design and clean lines. Robert's team could not have been nicer to have around for months and months. They were very professional and never left before a very good cleanup. We would always hire GA again! read more

I can't say enough about how great Garden Architecture is. When Robert first came to our garden, it was a mish-mash of random plants, half-formed designs, and poor installation. I didn't like going outside because it was overwhelming to think about how to fix it. Robert and his team worked closely with us to determine our priorities, our aesthetic, and our budget. They came up with a beautiful master plan that integrated many of the existing plants with new ones to achieve a cohesive planting scheme. Further, Robert designed a raised fire bowl area, an outdoor bar and integrated barbecue, a beautiful stone path and stairway, and a subtle lighting plan. His team of installers were great, and I truly enjoyed having them on site. Through the entire process, Robert kept in close communication with us, so there were no surprises or unexpected expenses. Now, my garden makes sense and is a haven for my family. I should also mention that Robert keeps in contact, and if I have any issues with the garden, he is happy to help. It wouldn't be a complete review if I didn't mention Garden Architecture's plant expert, David. He is a plant genius, and one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. read more