lu —— la (ludic — landscapes) is a certified women-owned landscape architecture studio building playful, multi-fuctional landscapes with a commitment to rewilding.
Our design approach takes inspiration from the unique conditions of every site, thoughtfully responding to their invitations and challenges with well-considered materials, sensitive grading, and ecologically driven planting.
We work on residential, institutional, and public spaces at various scales, delivering elegant designs that are anchored by a sense of place. We design our sites to offer a rich field of opportunities that inspire imagination and encourage exploration. Our landscapes are buzzing with life, a shared space for insects and birds, children, youth, and adults.
lu —— la is a 100% female-owned and is a certified Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE). We hold professional landscape architecture licenses in MA.
Sara Brunelle, PLA, CPSI
Principal
Sara is a landscape architect, certified playground safety inspector, and co-director of lu —— la studio. She designs award-winning playscapes and multigenerational public spaces that inspire free play and well-being.
Sara brings years of research on the environmental and spatial conditions that support play to her design practice. She has an extensive record of publications on evidence-based design and children’s play environments and policies to promote outdoor play. Sara loves putting this research into practice.
Prior to lu —— la, Sara worked in international cooperation in urban agriculture and food security, helping communities build productive food gardens. She brings her experience in community engagement and enthusiasm for participatory design to every project.
Sara holds a master's degree in landscape architecture from the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the University of British Columbia and a bachelor's degree in fine arts and liberal arts from Concordia University.
Katie Smith
Principal
Katie is a landscape designer and co-director of lu —— la studio. She excels at collaborating with multidisciplinary creatives to deliver unique design solutions.
Katie's expertise lies in site-sensitive planting design. Informed by a lifelong love of wild and natural environments, her designs use the texture, color, and structure of plants to create immersive spaces that beg to be explored. She is also keenly aware of the beneficial impact that gardens have on our environment and chooses plants that contribute to creating healthy habitats.
A landscape designer and project manager, Katie brings a decade of experience in the field of landscape architecture. Her background includes working on residential, public, and commercial projects from North America to Europe. Katie holds a master's degree in landscape architecture from the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the University of British Columbia, and a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana.
Jazmín Cedeño,
Senior Associate
Jazmín is a landscape designer with over a decade of experience, bringing a strong focus on conceptual design and aesthetics. She specializes in detailed design that enhances the experiential qualities of space and the public realm. Her design approach is deeply informed by context, people, and communities.
Her design philosophy centers on elevating community well-being through richly experiential and contextually rooted spaces. Whether designing small garden areas or larger-scale environments, she balances artistic expression with practicality—integrating planting, spatial structure, and cultural narratives to forge meaningful connections to place.
Holding a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of British Columbia, Jazmín was honored with the Henry Syd & Robillard Scholarship for design excellence and best studio project. She also earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Tecnológico de Monterrey. Her work spans Canada, the United States, Mexico, Italy, and Panama, bringing a global perspective to her design practice.
Jazmín has contributed to projects that have received multiple design recognitions, including an ASLA Honor Award in the Residential category.