--- title: "Arterra Landscape Architects — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/arterra-landscape-architects-pfvwus-pf~218201261 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~218201261.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Arterra Landscape Architects" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/6ac334b10c608353_7548-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "88 Missouri Street, San Francisco, California 94107, United States" latitude: 37.7621 longitude: -122.3971 phone: "(415) 861-3100" website: http://www.arterrasf.com rating: 5 review_count: 10 best_of_houzz_awards: 11 followers: 2015 last_updated: 2026-08-21 --- # Arterra Landscape Architects Original Houzz profile: [Arterra Landscape Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/arterra-landscape-architects-pfvwus-pf~218201261) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Serves:** San Francisco, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Sausalito, Belvedere, Belvedere Tiburon - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (10 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 11 awards (2012–2021), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - 5 Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 500,000 Ideabook Saves Arterra provides a unique and visionary residential landscape design service which integrates art with technology. The resulting gardens are sculptural, visually stunning and environmentally sustainable. Working with a design lexicon that is at once timeless and contemporary, Arterra crafts gardens that give voice to the client, the site and the architecture. Partners Kate Stickley and Vera Gates welcome new and inspired commissions. ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Hardscaping - Landscape Plans - Patio Design - Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Site Planning - Pool Landscaping - Custom Fire Pits - Swimming Pool Design - Custom Water Features - Gazebo Design & Construction - Outdoor Lighting Design - Deck Design - 3D Rendering - Organic Gardens - Pond Construction - Edible Gardens - Custom Bocce Ball Courts - Natural Swimming Pools - Dog Run Construction - Green Roofing ### Areas Served - San Francisco - Mill Valley - Tiburon - Sausalito - Belvedere - Belvedere Tiburon ### Typical Job Cost $750,000 - 4 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Arterra Landscape Architects | | Address | 88 Missouri Street, San Francisco, California 94107, United States | | Phone | (415) 861-3100 | | Website | http://www.arterrasf.com | | Followers on Houzz | 2015 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Arterra Landscape Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/arterra-landscape-architects-pfvwus-pf~218201261) - **Website:** http://www.arterrasf.com - **Phone:** (415) 861-3100 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - LEED - Build It Green - Landscape Architect - **Best of Houzz:** 11 awards (2012–2021), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [American Society of Landscape Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/american-society-of-landscape-architects-pfvwus-pf~2014062207) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 10 reviews** ### All 10 reviews **★★★★★ — Grant Erickson, Feb. 2020** > We interviewed a broad range of landscape architects when my wife and I first started planning our new home in 2014. When we saw Arterra's portfolio of thoughtfully-integrated landscapes and met Kate on site, we immediately knew we had found the right team for our project. > > As the project evolved and our interactions grew, we came to appreciate Kate and Arterra's highly collaborative approach and inspired designs that not only reflected our program inputs but also respected and were unique to the site. > > From the plantings, to the site walls, to the water features, and hardscape, two years after move-in, we continue to marvel and appreciate the design work Arterra did for us. > > I cannot recommend Arterra enough. **★★★★★ — Peninsula Custom Homes, Dec. 2015** > PCH had the pleasure of collaborating with Arterra Landscape on a large site at the Santa Lucia Preserve. We found them to be professionally astute, articulate in their visions for the site, and team-oriented in their quest to achieve those visions. Kate Stickley, the founding principal, was especially impressive in her role as the project architect. Her work on this project was honored for its design, and her clients made it abundantly clear how pleased they were with her final product. **★★★★★ — sfrapp, Dec. 2014** > Kate and Scott helped design our backyard for a complete home renovation. They listened to our goals for the backyard, and presented us with several design possibilities. Once we chose a direction, they helped us integrate on that to work out all the details. The results are amazing, from the hardscape to the softscape to the plantings. Scott had great ideas and patiently worked with us to get every details just right. Highly recommended! **★★★★★ — sarahwernikoff, Dec. 2014** > We hired Arterra for full landscape design for a new home on our property in Portola Valley. We have loved working with them. Great design and asethetic, flexible, professional and easy to work with. Gretchen in particular has been fantastic. **★★★★★ — hanklyons, Oct. 2014** > Outstanding!! We hired Arterra to do a complete re-landscape job on our large and varied outdoor space. The job was complicated and included a new entry way, newly designed paved patios, and almost all new plants and shrubs. Vera and her team were without question the best part of our renovation team (we also did a major house remodel). Her ideas were creative and well conceived. She took spaces that used to be awkward, and created relaxed and comfortable outdoor living spaces--3 of them!! Vera helped us find a landscape contractor that we really liked and worked with him to make sure her plan was implemented in the most cost-effective and high quality way. She did things like repurpose the metal gate at our driveway into a gorgeous backdrop to a new fountain. It was an idea that highlights her creativity and respect for her clients tastes (we loved the gate, but it was just too heavy to continue using as a gate). Best of all, Vera and everyone we worked with at Arterra was delightful. They were polite, responsive and easy to work with. I highly recommend this outstanding firm. **★★★★★ — Feldman Architecture, Inc., Feb. 2014** > Over the last few years I have had the great fortune to work with Arterra on a number of projects. They have consistently delivered fresh and exciting designs that are always sensitive to site and architecture alike. And their professionalism and commitment to making the most out of every project are infectious and bring the best out of the entire team. **★★★★★ — User, Sept. 2013** > I have been working with this team for more than a year now. Their artful attention to detail and strong execution have been impressive. HIGHLY recommended! **★★★★★ — Cathy Schwabe Architecture, Sept. 2013** > Arterra LLP Landscape Architects (Vera Gates Principal in Charge) was the landscape architect on a recent project -- a green point rated 2-story house over a partial basement in Palo Alto. They were an integral part of a multi faceted design team. It was a great pleasure collaborating with Vera and her team at Arterra. The result was a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living on all three levels. The well used and very much enjoyed 2nd floor garden with shower, bath, and lounging area and the below grade patio are two of the more unusual and imaginative spaces that resulted from our collaborative design process. I look forward to working together again. **★★★★★ — Kiki Goshay, June 2013** > Arterra designs landscapes that are celebrations of the natural world in which they are set. Their commitment to green practices ensures that the use of water and resources is considered in every choice made. Their aesthetic is natural, modern and fun. **★★★★★ — Mark English Architects, AIA, Nov. 2012** > As an architect, I've been fortunate to work with Vera & Kate on a number of projects over the years, including at my own house. They are nimble and attentive, and able to work in many settings. ## Selected projects - [Inspired by the Land](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/inspired-by-the-land-pj-vj~2476024) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - Description: On a 40-acre property logged in the 1800s, the mission was to return the land to its natural state and create a rural retreat. The thoughtful restoration of the land informed the meticulous selection of materials of the home, guesthouse and surrounding landscape. The result is a design that feels like it arose spontaneously. The house was designed as an open air pavilion to embrace the sweeping views. Metal and glass panels lift to provide seamless connections to the landscape. To the north, the… - [Stacking the Deck](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stacking-the-deck-pj-vj~2535442) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - Description: How do you take advantage of a long narrow San Francisco lot perched on the side of a hill? Stack the house and its terraces to celebrate every possible view on all levels, and then tumble it down into the long and narrow lot to connect and ground it to place. The seamless connection to home, sky and land was a collaborative effort in this LEED Platinum urban renovation. Each terrace has a unique view and degree of privacy as it soars or is nestled against an edge. The lower intimate spaces feat… - [Vintner's View](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/vintner-s-view-pj-vj~2830497) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: This weekend basecamp in Healdsburg is sited mid-slope in a 33-acre vineyard to take advantage of sweeping views of the Dry Creek Valley below. There is no mistaking you are in wine country. Since the property is a working vineyard, it was important to limit the construction footprint. We terraced two levels of the slope and worked with the architects to link the house lightly into the land. The main level allows flow from the house to the pool, outdoor kitchen, and fire pit areas. At the lower… - [The Talk of the Neighborhood](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-talk-of-the-neighborhood-pj-vj~1372227) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - [In The Modern Context](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/in-the-modern-context-pj-vj~2618461) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - Description: This forever-home opens to the landscape wherever possible, for a true indoor/outdoor California lifestyle. We began with a blank slate: an empty postage stamp lot located in the San Mateo Highlands. We had the opportunity to create a setting for a new home that remains true to the context and visual style of the neighborhood, an enclave of 650 existing Eichler homes. Collaboration with the architecture and builder led to this lovely courtyard home, with a fifty-foot glass wall creating an easy… - [Menlo Park Family Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/menlo-park-family-home-pj-vj~1194992) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 21 - Description: A young, active family of four wanted their newly built home to be a place where family and friends would gather for outdoor dinners, sports celebrations and family events. Taking advantage of the natural light, the design created a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces for both elegant and casual entertaining. - [San Francisco I](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/san-francisco-i-pj-vj~1042576) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 19 - Description: In the process of renovating this house for a multi-generational family, we restored the original Shingle Style façade with a flared lower edge that covers window bays and added a brick cladding to the lower story. On the interior, we introduced a continuous stairway that runs from the first to fourth floors. The stair surrounding a steel and glass elevator centered below a skylight invites natural light down to each level. The home’s traditionally proportioned formal rooms flow naturally into m… - [Western Living](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/western-living-pj-vj~1355767) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: A beautiful site with wide open 360° views and three landmark valley oaks brought a wonderful family with energetic grandchildren to the Santa Lucia Preserve. We aimed to create a landscape that was responsive to the scale with the openness of the space, but remained as light on the land as possible, while providing lots of places for play and peace. The firepit anchors a quiet gathering place, within earshot of the pool. We connected the pool with the natural setting by limiting the extent of p… - [California Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/california-modern-pj-vj~1170694) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 25 - Description: We worked with Klopf Architecture, RJ & Associates Landscape Specialists and Flegel’s Construction to give an insightful update to a classic Eichler in Palo Alto. The conventional divide between indoors and out is creatively deconstructed in this family home. Materials and textures flow seamlessly throughout the home and garden, with planes unbroken by wall or window. The open-air living space allows an unobstructed view from the blue tiled fountain through the home to the firepit that anchors t… - [A Menlo Park Family Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-menlo-park-family-home-pj-vj~1161404) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - Description: A family with energetic school aged children wanted a casual home for easy entertaining that would be the center of action for all their family friends. A wonderful team came together to realize this beautiful family home with a strong focus on indoor/outdoor California living. Fergus Garber Young Architects and Bay West Builders were the minds behind the architecture. Marysia Rybock of ScavulloDesign-Studio M designed the interiors to suit this active family of four. Arterra Landscape Architect… - [City Update](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/city-update-pj-vj~1195635) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [Noe Valley 2](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/noe-valley-2-pj-vj~2111505) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 14 - [City Contemporary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/city-contemporary-pj-vj~54809) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: Michelle Lee Wilson Photography Urban patio garden with outdoor kitchen - [West Dry Creek Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/west-dry-creek-residence-pj-vj~1119549) - Location: Healdsburg, CA - Photos: 29 - Description: For their weekend house in Healdsburg, CA, our clients wanted a minimal, contemporary design that integrated natural elements for warmth and had limited color. Exterior finishes were chosen to blend in and enhance the landscape, rather than compete with it. The interior combines concrete, stainless and blackened steel, bronze, cedar and walnut against bright white gallery-style walls. We worked closely with the architects in selecting all materials, finishes and plumbing fixtures and accented th… - [Global Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/global-retreat-pj-vj~1019695) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 17 - Description: When your large family lives all over the globe, you need a gathering place that’s big enough to fit everyone. If it’s in a world-class city like San Francisco, your loved ones will be sure to visit. This Presidio stunner is a second home, with four floors for four generations. Featuring a contrast of warm and cool elements as well as subtle Asian influences, the rooms of this former Craftsman maintain an inviting, understated atmosphere while adopting an air of comfortable elegance. Every membe… - [Sonoma Wine Country](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sonoma-wine-country-pj-vj~2111839) - Location: Healdsburg, CA - Photos: 15 - Description: Comprised of two perpendicular bars atop a hill overlooking the village of Healdsburg, this home offers both ample social space ideal for entertaining and the privacy of a rural retreat. The taller section runs along the ridge of the hill and houses the home’s great room. Four oversized glass panels open dramatically on each side, transforming the space into an outdoor pavilion whose flush concrete floors extend into a poolside patio to the north and into a terrace featuring a fire pit to the so… - [Work and Play](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/work-and-play-pj-vj~2676911) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - [Gathering Table](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gathering-table-pj-vj~125190) - Location: Menlo Park, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: Organized on a diagonal to activate the space, this family garden is composed of 3 areas that spark family time as 3 generations harvest, cook and come together. Outdoor dining and cooking are nestled under a leafy canopy and are calmed by water running over a custom cor-ten fountain. The lower garden opens into inviting gathering spaces. A cantilevered wood bench wraps around a low concrete fire pit, the center for marshmallows & family discussion after dinner. The edible garden includes fruit… - [French Classic](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/french-classic-pj-vj~10041) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [Arterra-Art's Inaugural Collection](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/arterra-art-s-inaugural-collection-pj-vj~550685) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - Description: Arterra-Art is a new line of garden furnishings from Arterra Landscape Architects. Arterra-Art is handcrafted by artisans in the San Francisco Bay Area. Pieces are durable and perfect for outdoor use. Arterra-Art welcomes custom orders and commissions. [See all 56 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/arterra-landscape-architects-pfvwus-pf~218201261) ## Community Q&A **Q: Concrete back rest** *(in Photo Questions)* Love the color and finish. What is the color and finish for the backrest? A: Pewter, trowel finish **Q: On the fence - are those 6'' boards?** *(in Photo Questions)* And I love the seamless look. Were the boards staggered, or placed evenly? Thank you! A: Yes, they are standard 6" boards **Q: what are the materials around the pool?** *(in Photo Questions)* can anyone tell me what the surface is here? looks like stone and concrete... lovely! A: Yes, it is concrete with integral color and stone banding and coping. **Q: What color and finish is this concrete?** *(in Photo Questions)* Absolutely amazing design here. Great work! A: Hi - thanks I believe the concrete was integral Davis color: Outback with a light acid wash finish **Q: What type of lighting was installed under edge decking?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: It was a strip light similar to this one from SPJ https://www.spjlighting.com/products/spj-flex-strip **Q: Fountain** *(in Photo Questions)* Is this integral color concrete or a stucco fountain? And I'd love to know the material on the retaining wall too. Thanks! A: This is a stucco fountain. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-21.*