FIRM

Merrill Morris Partners (MMP) is a woman-owned landscape architectural consulting firm with a 40-year history of delivering placemaking projects to private and public owners. We have offices in Oakland and San Francisco, but we serve projects throughout California. The diverse talents and depth of experience of our designers make our work efficient and effective. We listen, adapt, and communicate easily and often to best manage time and cost to the project. We naturally create innovative solutions with environmentally responsible designs.
                       		  

 

The heart of our practice is the people we work with: owners, clients, design teams, agencies, and communities. MMP’s landscape architects, planners, urban designers, and support professionals have the creativity and experience needed to meet design challenges and to successfully attain consensus and approvals. We take pride in working with multidisciplinary teams to bridge commercial and public interests. We contribute to the communities we serve by creating outdoor spaces that bring people closer to nature.

Placemaking
At MMP we are passionate about creating beautiful landscapes that are meaningful, engaging, authentic, and sustainable. We design outdoor spaces related to their regional context, resulting in well-adapted, efficient, and cost-effective landscapes that naturally evoke authenticity. When appropriate, MMP integrates the history and social traditions of an area to provide cultural integrity and connect the community to the legacy they have inherited and to the neighbors who share it. We enjoy highlighting the natural systems of a site to remind users of the wonders of nature and the environment.
 

Technical Expertise

MMP brings essential problem-solving skills to facilitate the design and construction of complex landscapes while meeting functional needs and available maintenance practices. Our construction documents are clear, complete, and buildable to facilitate a well-integrated design package. All deliverables are reviewed by senior staff to ensure quality control. In addition to traditional design services, we also have the graphic design and technical writing capabilities to create an effective entitlement package, visual resources analysis, develop facility standards, and create maintenance manuals for landscape elements such as stormwater facilities, irrigation systems, and plantings.

 

Sustainability

MMP is a strong advocate for sustainable design principles in all building projects. We use local materials, incorporate native and climate-adapted plants, reduce waste, and encourage biodiversity. In fire-prone areas, we produce landscapes that are defensible and firewise. We integrate stormwater planters, downspout splash gardens, and other best management practices to mimic the way nature slows, stores, and filters stormwater. We have experience implementing the following green sustainable rating systems: United States Green Building Council (USGBC) guidelines, Build It Green GreenPoint checklist, and the ReScape (Bay Friendly) Landscape guidelines.

 

Durability

Sometimes the most affordable design is not the cheapest; it’s one that lasts. It’s timeless, enduring, and resilient. MMP designs outdoor spaces that continue for decades to be elegant, durable, and easy to care for. Plants are selected for adaptability to the site and ease of maintenance. MMP designs projects that stand up to active use, respond to maintenance requirements, meet our clients’ needs, and are quality of life improvements for the people that use them.

 
 

 

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

As a small, woman-owned business, MMP commits to building equity, diversity and inclusion into our strategic planning policy and priority setting. We commit to a bias-free hiring process while building equitable pathways to wealth-building opportunities for all employees. We support equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work through project selection: mitigating environmental degradation, adding green space to low-income neighborhoods, and meaningfully engaging communities.
 
 
 

 

Woman-owned, Small & Local Business Certifications
 

US SBA - SB

CA GSA - SB (micro)

CUCP/Caltrans - DBE, SWBE

CPUC - WBE

San Francisco - WLBE, Micro LBE

Port of Oakland - SBE, LIABE, VSBE

Alameda County - SLEB

ACTC - LBE, SLBE, VSLBE

VTA - SWBE

LA METRO - SBE

 

 

 

PEOPLE

JOIN OUR TEAM

We have the following job opportunities!

JOB TITLE
Landscape Architectural Designer (3-7 Years of Experience)
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full Time
JOB DESCRIPTION

Merrill Morris Partners (MMP) is looking for a creative and motivated landscape architectural designer to join our dynamic team. We offer a collaborative, growth-oriented studio environment that fosters professional development and hands-on experience. In this role, you’ll contribute to creating impactful outdoor spaces that connect People and Place.

 

Who We Are: MMP is a woman-owned business with offices in San Francisco and Oakland. We serve a broad client base across both public and private sectors, primarily within the Greater Bay Area. MMP specializes in delivering a full spectrum of landscape architectural services, with a focus on urban environments. Our areas of expertise include transit and transportation projects, streetscapes, campuses, multi-family housing, schools, parks and urban open spaces.
QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education/Competencies: 

  • Degree in Landscape Architecture from an accredited program
  • 3-7 years of experience in an office setting with proven capabilities in AutoCAD production, presentation graphics, and strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills

 

Preferred Landscape Architectural Technical Experience: 

  • Working knowledge of planting design and horticulture, including:
    • California-native and sustainable plant materials
    • Micro-climate, soil, and site influences
  • Understanding of landscape construction materials, methods, detailing, and specifications
  • Knowledge of grading and drainage principles
  • Understanding of ADA regulations
  • Knowledge of Stormwater Best Management Practices and the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO)
  • Irrigation system design (a plus)
  • Familiarity with LEED, Rescape (Bay-Friendly), and SITES certification

 

Required Software skills:

  • Proficiency in AutoCAD and Microsoft Office
  • Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and SketchUp
  • Visualization tools such as Lumion, Rhino, or similar software (a plus)

 

Why MMP? 

At MMP, we cultivate an open studio environment that emphasizes collaboration and knowledge-sharing. You’ll work directly with experienced senior staff, gaining valuable insights and heightened professional growth. We promote team members' contribution and involvement throughout all phases of design, from conceptualization to ribbon cutting.
HOW TO APPLY

Join Us! We’re excited to tell you more about the opportunities at Merrill Morris Partners. If you’re passionate about landscape architecture and looking for a supportive, growth-focused environment, we’d love to hear from you!

 

How to Apply: Please send your cover letter, resume, and portfolio or work samples (PDF format, up to 10MB, or via download link if larger) to info@merrill-morris.com. Applicants must have a valid U.S. work permit.

MMP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace.