As designers, we must be keenly aware of how our decisions affect the natural environment, the user experience and our client’s budgets. In nature, nothing exists in isolation. Natural systems provide great insight for guiding our design approach as we develop specific solutions and details for each project. We view our projects as living environments to deliver a handcrafted experience of place.
Connection to other humans and how well communities thrive is directly related to their relationship with their physical environments. As we approach a new project we look to maximize human capital. Making sure human systems and organizations are interconnected to the environment and economic streams that make the most of their relationships to one another
Nature is our greatest teacher. Her systems, ability to adapt and wealth of bio diversity make her our greatest partner. Our projects find solutions that bring forth the power of connecting to nature. The landscape offers society endless benefits - education, reduction of stress, improved wellness, and economic renewal can all be derived from a strong connection with the natural environment.
Economics must work to drive projects forward. We enter each project with the knowledge of understanding project budgets, on-going maintenance costs, and increased value added to the communities where successful outdoor space is executed. We also understand that only evaluating projects by a singular bottom line dollar is an antiquated way of measuring sustainable and resilient success.
There is a rhythm in nature, in our lives, and in communication. We approach every project with our design process that honors an active cadence to move things forward. This measured approach ensures thoughtful research, analysis and careful regard to design detail is achieved in each solution we deliver.
Cadence collaborates with the client and project team to outline project objectives and to prepare a preliminary program of elements to be included in the scope of work.
Cadence conducts an analysis of the site to document physical and cultural features that may impact the design. Opportunities and constraints are considered, and guiding principles are determined.
An on-site workshop is conducted and a defnition of the project vision is determined. The master plan is created with all program elements included and the plan serves as the guide for further design development.
Schematic and detail design drawings further the master plan. Each phase examines site specific elements in more detail, establishing design intent, character, materials and spatial relationships. Each phase of drawings assists with further refining budget and developing a set of drawings to transform into construction documentation.
Cadence produces this set of technical drawings which communicates all elements in plan view and three dimensional form for constructing site work.
Cadence works past the drawings and assists in the final stages of obtaining bids from contractors. We also provide construction observation to ensure consistency of design intent.
Gage has practiced landscape architecture in South Florida since 2005, working throughout the US Gulf South, the Caribbean Islands, the UAE and Asia. He serves as Co-Founder and Design Principal, applying a hands-on approach to both design and construction methods. Gage holds a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture degree from Clemson University and study abroad experience from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain. He is also a FAA-Certified Remote Pilot and holds a Part-107 sUAS License, which allows for a range of commercial drone applications including aerial photography and cinematography, environmental monitoring, various types of inspections and construction site surveying. He is most inspired by the design process, often overseeing a project from inception to final completion. Gage exhibits a respect for nature, a strong attention to detail and a dedication to sustainable solutions to his clients.
EDUCATION
Clemson University | BLA, Landscape Architecture, Magna Cum Laude
Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Barcelona | Study Abroad Semester
MEMBERSHIP + COMMITTEES
Florida Wildlife Corridor | Board Member
Clemson University | Advisory Council School of Landscape Architecture
American Society of Landscape Architects | Member
CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE
Part 107 Certified Drone Operator
Rebecca is Co-Founder and Design Principal of Cadence. Since it’s inception in 2010, she has worked alongside business partner, Gage Couch, to direct and manage all the firms day-to-day operations as well as lead projects through the entire design process. Rebecca is responsible for overseeing business development, community engagement, and strategic planning for the firm. She has practiced Landscape Architecture in South Florida for 18 years and is a licensed Landscape Architect in the State of Florida and Louisiana. Rebecca is a BLA graduate of the LSU Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture and has practiced Landscape Architecture in South Florida for 20 years. Over the years, Rebecca’s travel and project endeavors have taken her around the globe and across various market sectors including urban redevelopment, hospitality, campus, and healthcare design. With each project endeavor, whether in the public or private sector, she seeks to listen to her clients, render careful attention to design details and provide an energetic vibe to keep innovation afloat. She takes great pride in creating meaningful places for people to enjoy. Cadence has built a reputation in the South Florida design and development industry for its ability to educate the community on the social and environmental benefits of Landscape Architecture.
EDUCATION
Louisiana State University | BLA, Landscape Architecture
Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland | Study Abroad Semester
MEMBERSHIP + COMMITTEES
Landscape Architecture Foundation | Board of Directors, Vice President of Communications
Broward County Cultural Council Grants Review Panel | Panelist
Clemson University | Advisory Council School of Landscape Architecture
Broward College Downtown Redevelopment | Urban Design Technical Advisor
American Society of Landscape Architects | Member
Mockingbird Trail | Advisory Role Member and Design + Technical Review Committee
CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE
Florida #6667071, Louisiana #132445
Ashley is a native with deep roots in Fort Lauderdale. Ashley assists the design team with day to day administrative tasks and works along our design team to curate and document digital media content to better inform the communities we work within on the value of good design. She has helped Cadence to build a unique community following that engages with us during the progress of our projects, both locally and internationally.
MEMBERSHIP + COMMITTEES
American Society of Landscape Architects | Florida | Event Planning Committee Member Broward Chapter
Flamingo Gardens | Centennial Master Plan Task Force Member
Florida Native Plant Society – Broward Chapter | Member
Historical Stranahan House and Museum | Member + Volunteer
NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale | Member
Stephanie first joined the team as an intern while earning a Bachelors of Architecture degree from Florida Atlantic University before becoming a full-time designer at Cadence. She possesses a unique perspective as an educated architect with a strong
interest for site design, making her a unique part of the production team. Her approach to landscape design is seen as an opportunity to make connections: between people and nature, between indoors and outdoors, between old and new.
MEMBERSHIP + COMMITTEES
Florida Native Plant Society – Broward Chapter | President
Friends of Broward County Natural Areas | Member
Friends of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve | Member
Mara joins our team with a Masters in Landscape Architecture + Environmental and Urban Design from Florida International University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Northeastern University. Mara’s journey as a first-generation Romanian-American nurtured a passion for understanding the connections people build to each other and their environments through culture. She also explores this connection through her passions of gardening, photography, visual arts, vocal and dance performance, teaching, advocacy, and activism.
Charles, born and raised in southeast Louisiana, joins the Cadence team with a bachelor’s degree from the Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture at Louisiana State University. He has a passion for designing thoughtful and impactful spaces that enrich the landscape at all scales – ecological, social, and personal. Charles is a strong believer in the power of storytelling and that a story weaved from the site’s history and context is the most sincere. He constantly strives for refinement through crafting beautiful details and choreographing the way materials dance among the space; nevertheless, he holds dear to his childlike imagination and has a desire to make “play” a part of the entire human experience.
Affiliated Development
Applied Hospitality Inc.
Avenue Lofts
Chevron Energy Solutions
City of Fort Lauderdale
City of Pembroke Pines
Congraree & Penn
Dan Marino Foundation
FATVillage Arts District
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale
Friends of Mockingbird Trail
HandsOn Broward
HG Acquisitions
Hoffman’s Chocolates
Hooper Development
IBC Bank
Kittelson & Associates
Marriott’s Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
Moderno Development Group
Moss Construction
North Beach Village Resorts
Ocean Land Investments, Inc.
Opterra Energy Services
Preston Giuliano Capital Partners
Provenance Development Company
Provenance Institute
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale
Shepherd Eco
South Florida Community Land Trust
Stock Island Marina Village
St Mary’s River farms
Tavistock Development Company
The Drifter Hotel
The Glen Retirement System
The Oceanage
Think Hotel Group
Town of Lauderdale By the Sea
Urban Street Development
Valley Forge Fabrics
Village of Bal Harbour
Village of Sea Ranch Lakes
WRS Development
be nice restaurant group
BBX Capital Foundation
Birse Thomas Architects
Borges & Associates
Botek Thurlow Engineering, Inc.
Cube3 Architects
Casa Conde & Associates
Community Foundation of Broward
CPEX
Dwell Architects
Farmer Jaffe Weissing
Flynn Engineering
FSMY Architects
Girls’ Club
Gray Robinson Law
Hamilton Builders
HC Architecture
Henning Haupt
Jack Arnold Architect
JEDCO
Ken Stapleton & Associates
Lighthouse of Broward
Lochrie & Chakas
Loft Arts
Marlin Engineering
Mikyoung Kim Design
PowersSchram
[Strang] Architecture
Tony Abbate Architecture
Touzet Studio
Tripp Scott Law
Unconventional
Valeria Yamamoto
VIDA Design Studio
Vintage Construction Group