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.

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.

Sandy Wei
Landscape Designer

Sandy Wei joined Nancy Owens Studio in 2019 and has recently rejoined the team. She is a landscape designer and served as project manager for various projects, such as Brooklyn Animal Care Center and Ferry Landing at Ferry Point Park. Since joining Nancy Owens Studio, she has been involved from early conceptual design to construction documents production. Sandy has contributed to the design and construction document phases for Brooklyn Children's Museum; and worked on construction documents for Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Franz Sigel Ballfields, and St. Michael’s Playground. For the NYCHA Open Space Masterplan, Sandy was in charge of researching, organizing, and planning extensive information.

Chris Seacord
landscape/urban Designer

Chris Seacord is a landscape designer with Nancy Owens Studio. Prior to pursuing a  Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Virginia, Chris received a Juris Doctor from the William & Mary School of Law, and a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering and Economics from the University of Virginia.

Chris has experience working in various aspects of the design process, including community engagement, asset mapping, existing conditions documentation and analysis, conceptual design, and construction documents. Prior to pursuing landscape architecture, Chris was a litigation attorney, working both in private practice and for the New York City Law Department, and thus brings a uniquely analytical and client-centered approach to the design process. 

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.

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.

Marian Starr
Urban Designer

Marian Starr, AIA, is urban designer with experience in planning, strategic communications, and advocacy for the private, nonprofit and public sectors in the New York region. Marian served as Project Manager at Nancy Owens Studio, managing the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Play Space Masterplan and Astoria Park Phase 2 in Queens. Marian consults to NOS for master planning efforts: research, analysis, design recommendations, and report production. 

Marian brings her experience in the visioning, planning, and communications of high-impact urban projects. She is passionate about parks and leveraging well-designed spaces to transform and strengthen communities. 

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.