Landscape Architect Northern Virginia

the story of my practice

I first became interested in sustainable planning and design with undergraduate education and working in Forest Resource Management. But it was through graduate education and three decades of design experience in Landscape Architecture that my expertise and passion for landscape architecture really grew. After retiring from full-time positions a few years ago, I received a number of requests from homeowners for design services! So I was pleased in 2019 to open a residential design practice with a design studio in Oakton, Virginia, Elizabeth Fribush Landscape Architect, PLLC.

My practice offers something relatively uncommon in the industry:

Custom residential landscape design that is both affordable and of professional quality.

My designs aim to closely reflect your goals and preferences. The intent is to not only create timeless and beautiful landscape and hardscape designs, but also to create outdoor spaces with a sense of place where the proposed design fits harmoniously into the site.

about

my mission

to design custom landscapes that reflect your goals and preferences and that will create beautiful and sustainable outdoor spaces

experience

Elizabeth brings to your design 35 years design and technical experience in landscape architecture including:

3 years residential landscape design with landscape design-build firm.
10 years with a civil engineering firm as Section Head of Site Planning;
3 years with an international architecture planning firm;
2 years as Senior Landscape Architect with a landscape architecture firm; and
17 years as a Senior Landscape Architect with a large multi-disciplinary firm.

knowledge and skills

Education, training, and certification mean skills in visualizing design concepts and designing innovative solutions

Education: Bachelor of Science cum laude, Forest Resource Management, Univ. of New Hampshire; and Masters of Arts in Sustainable Landscape Design, The Conway School
Registered / Licensed Landscape Architect since 1988 (1988-1993 Maryland: and 1990 to present Virginia)
International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist 2012 to 2019
Extensive knowledge of native and ornamental plants and sustainable design. Experience in fine arts. Award-winning designs.
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what people are saying...

about recent design consultations

You provided so much more than we were expecting. You put so much time and thought into our yard and issues, and we are very grateful.

- WG, Oakton, VA June 2020

Thanks for the additional information. The plants you suggested are great… It's also very helpful to have your suggestions for pavers. In fact, thanks for everything! S. and I are grateful for your guidance .... I'm much happier now that we have a plan; it had seemed as if whatever effort we put into the garden & land was wasted because nothing we did was unified or productive.

- PD, Oakton, Virginia Nov 2019

Thanks for all your advice and expertise! <and>

I just looked at the plans that you sent. They are beautiful and very thorough. Thank you so much for all the beautiful work and thought you put into them. We really appreciate it!

- NG, Oak Hill, Virginia June 2020

This is incredible. Thank you so very much. I can’t wait to ..begin our landscape transformation! We sincerely appreciate your work on this. <and> It is looking so great! Thank you so much Elizabeth for all your guidance- we are working on the front yard this week and then starting on the back. So excited!
- CJ, Potomac Falls, Virginia April 2021

Thank you so much for the quick and detailed response! We really appreciate your guidance Elizabeth; <and>

WOW. We cannot thank you enough for all this detail. We have been so excited to get started and we're already removing the holly hedge. We may have a few questions as we get more into everything (now that we have so much time to focus on our lawn!),

- CM, Fairfax, Virginia May 2020

Fabulous hearing your suggestions. You certainly are patient and thorough and informative. Thanks so very much, Elizabeth

- SW, Oakton, Virginia 2019

Thanks again for the very useful (and fun) consultation today. <and> Thank you so much! This is more than I could have hoped for, and makes it much less intimidating... Thanks again for all of your help.

- JJ Vienna, Virginia August 2020

It has been great working with you. <and> ..We are ecstatic over the landscaping! ... Thanks so much for getting us going on this very much needed improvement. The front of the house looks so great; can actually see the foyer!
- RP, Oakton, Virginia, December 2020

about recent detailed landscape plans:

The garden is truly beautiful and the complements haven't stopped since it was planted! Thanks so much for your time, expertise, and help.

<and> Thought you might enjoy some scenes from our garden… It all looks great and we have lots of complements. Thanks for all your help.

- MB, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, March 2019

about design and oversight of installation of an entry walkway

A new pathway greeted members and guests at the September meeting. The stunning brick path seamlessly joins our ADA ramp. - VC September 2019

Wow wow wow! < The walkway> looks absolutely gorgeous! Thank you Elizabeth for the many hours of time and talent and energy you personally invested to achieve this great outcome, which will be enjoyed by our members for years to come. - LI Oakton, Virginia August 2019

So very nice and enhances our schoolhouse entrance! Thank you, Elizabeth for your expertise and dedication!

- CK, Oakton, Virginia September 2019