NANCY  OWENS
FASLA, RLA, LEED AP, FOUNDING PRINCIPAL

Nancy Owens is an artist and lead designer of the award-winning landscape architecture firm Nancy Owens Studio PLLC. Her commitment to the planning and design of public spaces inspired Nancy to establish a studio that balances innovative thinking with the need for functional, contextual and sustainable solutions. She served on her local community board for 13 years where she was a park advocate on advisory boards for major New York public spaces including the Hudson River Park, Governors Island, the East River Waterfront, and the Greening of Greenwich Street in TriBeCa.

Nancy conceived the designs and led a multidisciplinary team of designers, ecologists, architects, and affiliated professionals for three new, major New York City parks: Fort Totten North Park in Queens, Estella Diggs Park in the Bronx, and Gateway Estates in Brooklyn. She is currently working on the major reconstruction of Astoria Park in Queens, as part of NYC’s Anchor Park’s Initiative.

Anne Berman
ASLA, RLA, LEED AP, landscape architect

Anne Berman has designed and implemented a broad range of projects throughout the United States. During her career in the public and private sectors, Anne has worked on parks, plazas, streetscapes, cultural institutions and resorts. She has served as senior landscape architect for Nancy Owens Studio PLLC since the firm’s inception and has been instrumental in the design of regenerative landscapes which improve the natural function of urban sites. Her interest in landscape history informs her work on the planning and design of historic sites.

Marian starr
aia, urban designer

Marian Starr Imperatore is an architect with experience in urban design and planning, strategic communications, and advocacy for firms, nonprofits, and the public sector in NY. A common thread throughout her work is her interest in creating vibrant public spaces essential to urban life.

Marian has experience managing visioning, planning, and approvals efforts for high-impact urban projects, including the Times Square revitalization, post-9/11 World Trade Center redevelopment, and Industrial Waterfront Rezoning for Williamsburg, Brooklyn, as well international projects. She is passionate about leveraging well-designed spaces to transform and strengthen communities.

JOHN DUDA
ASLA, RLA, CONSULTING LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

John Duda is a senior landscape Architect with over 40 years experience with projects throughout the eastern and southern United States, He has extensive knowledge in all aspects of the profession with a specialization in construction documentation and administration. He has participated in a variety of project typologies at various scales over the course of his professional career with extensive experience in park and sports facility design, playground design, transportation and urban infrastructure, downtown redevelopment, and multi -family housing. Over the past 20 years he has developed a close working relationship with numerous public agencies throughout the New York area. John is currently a consultant to Nancy Owens Studio for technical oversite and quality control of construction documents.

TOMO KIMURA
ASLA, RLA, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Tomo Kimura received her Bachelor of Engineering in Architecture from Nihon University and Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from City College of New York. She has served as project manager for various projects and assisted in managing projects from schematic design to completion of construction. Tomo has worked on all aspects of design which includes the preparation of construction drawings, specifications, presentation graphics, and approvals. 

Since joining Nancy Owens Studio, Tomo has produced construction documents for numerous school yard projects for the New York City School Construction Authority, and Astoria Park Phase 3 for NYC Parks, and several New York City Housing Authority projects.

Ada thomas
Landscape Designer

Ada Thomas is a landscape designer and project manager at Nancy Owens Studio. Over the past nine years, she has worked as a graphic designer and landscape designer, and she holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. She has experience working on graphics and construction documents for a variety of project types and scales, including several parks and multipurpose play areas for NYC Parks, the New York City Housing Authority, and the New York City School Construction Authority (NYCHA).

Ada is currently the project manager for Ocean Hill Playground, FEMA Hurricane Sandy Waterfront Resiliency project, and multiple NYCHA playground reconstructions.

grace vannatta
Landscape Designer

Grace Vannatta is a landscape designer at Nancy Owens Studio. She received her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Ohio State University. Grace has worked on all design phases from conceptual design to construction document production on a variety of projects. Grace has experience working with construction documents for the FEMA Hurricane Sandy Waterfront Resiliency projects at Socrates Sculpture Park and Pelham Bay Landfill as well as for Hallets Cove Multi-Purpose Play Area in Queens. 

Grace is currently serving as the assistant project manager coordinating the documentation and placement of over 400 signs at Flushing Meadow Corona Park in Queens.

nora chuff
Landscape Designer

Nora Chuff is a Landscape Designer with previous experience in Fine Art and Administration. Nora graduated from the Master of Landscape Architecture and Design Studies programs at Harvard Graduate School of Design. In 2015, she graduated with a BFA from NYU, where she double majored in Studio Art and Art History. At Nancy Owens Studio PLLC, Nora has worked on construction documentation, graphic production, and project proposals for a variety of public agencies, including the New York City Housing Authority and the City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation.

LAUREL MARX
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Laurel Marx is a graphic designer working with Nancy Owens Studio PLLC on projects for NYC Parks. Seeking creative solutions through working collaboratively on projects, she specializes in the arts, education and public service. Her signature lies in combining images and text to create vibrant work with a clean and direct sensibility. Her guiding philosophy is that design be engaging, focused, and tell the story.

GAIL KARLSSON
EDITOR

Gail Karlsson is an environmental consultant and editor working with Nancy Owens Studio PLLC (NOS) on projects for NYC Parks. She has reviewed and edited master plans for Astoria Park and Fort Totten, as well as interpretative signage for the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, the Collect Pond Park in lower Manhattan, and the Jerome Wetland Walk at the Allen Shandler Recreation Area in Van Cortland Park. She also collaborated with NOS and Laurel Marx Design on a 2009 publication and presentation “Will Climate Risks Change the Map of NYC?”. For over 20 years she has written, edited, and produced publications on environmental issues for the United Nations Development Programme and other international organizations.

SOPHIE BUSKIN
STUDIO MANAGER

Sophie Buskin is a consultant working with Nancy Owens Studio. She grew up playing in the New York City parks and playgrounds and is passionate about their design and maintenance. She especially enjoys being able to participate in community design workshops.