MARK GOLDSCHMIDT
Landscape Designer

Professional Degrees

1983 Master in Landscape Architecture
Harvard Graduate School of Design

1980 Bachelor of Arts in Architecture (cum laude)
University of California at Berkeley

Professional Experience

2000-present
Mark Goldschmidt Landscape Design Studio
Altadena, California
I opened my office in Altadena to realize a personal vision of lovely gardens and outdoor rooms reflecting the history, climate, and social context of Southern California. When possible, I work closely with an artisan contractor during the building process, and we have now seen several projects completed, with more in progress. These are sublime California landscapes for living, manifested in plants and water, stone and concrete and brick.

Completed and ongoing projects include:
Shaw Residence, La Cañada, California
-pool, spa, lanai, patio, stairs and planting with extensive use of arroyo stone walls
Copp Residence, Burbank, California
-pool, spa, pergola, patios, and fountain in a formal English/French style
Willow Glen Residence, Hollywood Hills, California
-redesign of an existing pool, reconfiguration of entry
Goldschmidt/Zack Residence, Altadena, California
-new front garden, terrace, driveway, entry, planting in the California Sublime style
Altadena Town & Country Club Master Plan, Altadena, California
-planning for the renovation and future development of this historic property
Bashar Sawaf Residence, Bel Air, California
-new pool, gardens, roof garden, motor court and waterfall for this Bel Air estate

1999-2001
Consultant Designer
Isabelle C. Greene & Associates
Landscape Architects
Santa Barbara, California
While developing my private practice, I have had the fortunate opportunity of working with the eminent landscape architect, Isabelle Green. Isabelle’s projects are primarily high-end residences, many in Santa Barbara and Montecito, and practice is very hands-on, designers working closely with artisans and contractors on projects where only perfect is good enough.

1998-1999
Independent Contract Employee
Walt Disney Imagineering, Inc.
Glendale, California
Upon returning from Asia, I took a four-month assignment developing concepts for two “shows” at Disney California Adventure, a theme park then being built adjacent to the original Disneyland in Anaheim. I joined two creative teams that included show producers, art directors, architects, engineers and others, to design two highly imaginative themed attractions, ”The Bugs Show” and “The Farm”.

1992-1998
Managing Director
Mark Goldschmidt Associates Co., Ltd.
Landscape Architecture/Architecture/Resort Design
Bangkok, Thailand

In response to demand for appropriate, contextual landscape and architectural design in South East Asia, I founded my own firm in Bangkok in 1992. With resort design a specialty, MGA participated in or headed projects in several countries in the region. Whenever possible, I drew on vernacular architectural and artistic traditions to help reveal the cultural heritage of the places we were building. Non-hospitality related projects included housing, residential gardens, campus planning and design, and urban plazas.

Some representative MGA projects:
Similana Resort, Phang-nga Province, Thailand 1992-97
Flown down from Bangkok to evaluate the site, I produced a proposal and a report. Eight months later a call came: “Please fly down and tell the contractor what to build.” On a jungle-clad hill on the edge of the Andaman Sea we laid out amenities and utilities, designed site circulation, bungalows and reception/restaurant building. Brilliant Thai craftsmen, great client, exquisite site -- this is one of my favorite projects

New International School of Thailand, Campus Master plan, Bangkok, 1997
For this UN-affiliated K through 12 school on an urban site, we oversaw engineering assessment of existing structures, then prepared two alternative master plans incorporating additional facilities. Work included schematic architectural design for a number of new buildings needed to establish building footprint areas and circulation, plus renderings of proposed buildings to be used for fund-raising.

Hanoi Hotel Project, Hanoi, Vietnam 1993
Design of a hotel in French colonial style in central Hanoi. Clients were the Youth Union of the People’s Republic of Vietnam and renowned Thai politician and social activist, Mechai Viravaida – the hotel was part of his strategy for inspiring entrepreneurial activism within this communist organization. The design was never realized due to funding and political problems.

New Bumrungrad Hospital, Bangkok 1992 - 96
Landscape design for a hospital on a tight urban site. Main garden was over-structure, a 200 meter long, 8 to 10 meter wide west-facing shelf, 30 meters above the street. We responded by creating a variety of spaces and places for quiet refuge, including pavilions, pergolas, and two fountains. Entry treatment and a large spirit-house were also part of our brief (the shrine had to be placed above the sewage treatment plant, acceptable to hospital’s spiritual advisors only if raised 9 steps above the ground).

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Plantation Club Resort, Baie Lazare, Mahé, Seychelles 1995-1998
MGA was asked to improve the appearance and inject some romance into this rather dreary resort on a paradise site. Prepared master plan and proposed many additions and alterations; gardens and extensive grounds improvements, modifications to the architecture, beach edge treatment, paving, two swimming pools, circulation, entry treatment, parking, a retail plaza and a number of new structures. Also initiated a plant propagation program and set-up nursery.

Amari Atrium Hotel, Bangkok, 1993-96
A project plagued with tight budget, dishonest project management and crooked contractors. Paving design, various pavilions, covered walkways, over-structure planting, and endless meetings were part of our brief. Difficulties were overcome in the end and we realized a very successful project.

Some other significant MGA projects:
Khao Yai Suan Kasaet Retreat, Nakhorn Rachisima, Thailand
-architecture, site planning and landscape for 125 room spa and resort
Khao Yai Suan Kasaet Garden Homes, Nakhorn Rachisima, Thailand
-architecture, site planning and landscape of cluster housing
Boulevard Hotel, Nha Trang, Vietnam
-site layout, preliminary architectural and landscape design for beach resort
Hat Yai Golf & Country Club, Hat Yai, Thailand
-architecture, landscape and layout for golf clubhouse and homes
Hotel Asoka, Pagan, Burma
-layout and conceptual architectural design for a themed tourist hotel
Hua Hin Prestige Resort, Hua Hin, Thailand
-layout, architecture and landscape for health resort and second homes
Pornpat Center, Bangkok, Thailand
-plaza and fountain for shopping mall and 40 story office tower on one of Bangkok’s busiest intersections
Con Son Beach Resort, Con Dao Islands, Vietnam
-planning and conceptual architecture for remote eco-tourism resort
West Lake Serviced Apartments, Hanoi, Vietnam
-landscape, layout, and waterfront treatment for luxury apartment tower
Palm Court Serviced Apartments, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
-landscape and pool for luxury apartment tower
Aseana Spa & Resort, Phang-gna, Thailand
-architectural/landscape concept development for spa resort
SG Tower Plaza, Bangkok
-plaza/landscape and fountain for office tower
Baan Buraraan Model Homes, Jomtien, Thailand
-landscape for Balinese style second home development
Portuguese Ambassador’s Residence, Bangkok
-landscape renovation for historic river-front house
Far East BPX Project, Maptaphut, Thailand
-landscape, plaza and fountain design, entry, parking, and streetscape for Chevron
ISB Housing, Nichida Thani, Bangkok
-gardens and streetscape for luxury housing development
Luang Prabang Resort, Luang Prabang, Laos
-concept planning, site planning, layout and architecture for a 5-star spa and resort in Laos’ ancient royal capital

1990-1992 Director,
Bensley Design & Landscape Architecture
Bangkok, Thailand
I joined the BDG as second-in-command to manage projects and office work for this landscape firm specializing in resorts. Responsibilities included project management, overseeing and directing production, writing proposals and specifications, all aspects of design, and site observation in Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore.

Projects included:
Regent - Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Acharn Chulatot, architect
Managed design development of this 5-star boutique resort near Chiang Mai. Sited 18 four-unit guest blocks, designed swimming pool, pavilions, gardens, walkways, walls and grading on a difficult hillside site.

Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort, Lombok, Indonesia
Project manager for design development and construction of this luxury resort. Central feature was a huge pool with a giant carved stone head, loosely based on local Sasak artistic traditions. Worked with skilled local craftsmen to create an environment of great variety and beauty. Among the most enjoyable and rewarding projects of my career to date.

Royal Garden Resort, Pattaya, Thailand 1990-91
Robert Boughey, architect
Fast-track landscape design, my first project in Asia. Design and construction included a cluster of Thai style pavilions in a lotus pond with swimming pool, pool bar, terraces, gardens, grading, parking layout, and street frontage treatment.
Raffles Marina Club, Singapore
Project manager for design development and construction drawings for private club and marina. Main landscape amenity was a child-oriented ‘fun pool’.

1984-1990 Associate
Emmet L. Wemple & Associates
Landscape Architects
Los Angeles, California
Joined this excellent traditional landscape firm shortly after graduate school. Initial project was preparation of venues for 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Managed a number of high-profile projects.

Some representative projects:
The 1984 Olympic Games, Los Angeles, UCLA and USC Venues
The Jerde Partnership, architects
Design of temporary planting, circulation, routing of security fences. My role included much time spent on site, placement of hundreds of thousands of annual flowers, landscape restoration and improvement following the event.

The Getty Center, Los Angeles, California
Richard Meier Associates, architects
Responsible for design and installation of perimeter fence, entry gates, many acres of California native planting. Collaborated on early designs for Center gardens, site entry and roadway. Developed strategy and began implementation for chaparral management.

Anderson Graduate School of Management, UCLA
Pei Cobb Fried, architects
Landscape and circulation design for a new landmark building on the UCLA campus. Work also included inventory of existing trees, triage of trees to be saved and relocated, and strategies for conservation of sensitive riparian amenity.

Skirbal Center, Hebrew Union College, West Los Angeles
Moshe Safdie Associates, architects
Project manager and designer for project in Sepulveda Pass. Work included planting design, parking layout, riparian/drainage treatment, revegatation of graded slopes, courtyard and fountain design.

Avalon Boulevard Waterfront Study, Wilmington, California
RTKL Architects
Project to develop community access and waterfront park for Wilmington. As project designer and manager, responsibilities included participation in community design meetings. Client was Port of Los Angeles.

Taif National Park Landscape Master plan, Taif, Saudi Arabia
The Jerde Partnership, architects
Research and report on reforestation of desert mountain environment in an area slated for recreational development.

some additional landscape projects I managed or participated in while at Emmet. L. Wemple Associates:
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, California (several projects)
Malibu Equestrian Park, Malibu, California
City Walk, Universal Studios, Hollywood, California
Quincy Jones Residence, Bel Air, California
James Borroughs Residence, Beverly Hills, California
Burton A. Burton Residence, Malibu, California