Landscape Architect Articles

Meet Lynn Capouya ASLA, ISA, LEED AP10-22-15 | Feature

Meet Lynn Capouya ASLA, ISA, LEED AP
Women in Landscape Architecture

Lynn Capouya ASLA, ISA, LEED AP

Lynn Capouya, who founded her firm in 1979, has 36 years of landscape architecture experience. LCI is a full-service landscape architecture firm with 15 full-time employees, including three licensed landscape architects, two LEED accredited professionals and a certified irrigation designer/water auditor. Her company is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and has offices in downtown Los Angeles and Indian Wells, Calif. Capouya is responsible for strategic partnering and corporate management, among other responsibilities. Capouya has obtained many widely sought-after projects and built a diversified client base. She has experience in both construction/program management and design/build teams in support of programming, budget preparation, master planning, conceptual design, plan specifications and estimates, peer review and construction administration. Capouya has served as an owner's representative, prime consultant, subconsultant to the general contractor, prime architect/engineer and landscape contractor. As president of LCI, she has incorporated FAR and GAAP accounting procedures, indemnification and pass-through provisions, and technical contract requirements and performance metrics into her company's policies and procedures. LCI is committed to sustainability. Many of its projects feature water efficient plant palettes, weather sensitive irrigation systems and environmentally responsible drainage systems. This is a pivotal point with LCI, which consistently has been able to incorporate sustainable design features into projects while staying within clients' budget parameters.

Firm
Lynn Capouya Inc. (LCI), Irvine, Calif.

Licenses
Alabama #245, 1982; Arizona, #20757, 1987; California #2314, 1983; Oregon #326, 1995; Texas #2009, 2000; Virginia #0406000595, 1995; Washington #630, 1994

Certifications
LEED accredited professional, 2004; Certified arborist, 2006

Professional Affiliations
Pacific Breast Care Advisory Committee; March Air Force Base Museum Board

LCI's Awards Include
Anaheim Street Rehabilitation/Restoration, APWA 2014 Best Project Award and California Transportation Foundation 2014 Street Project of the Year.
Wendy Drive/101 Overpass and Rice Avenue/Santa Clara Avenue/101, American Public Works Association, Ventura County chapter, 2014 Projects of the Year.
Agensys Biotech Facility, L.A. Business Council, 2013 Award of Excellence.
Dana Point Gateway, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2010 Award of Excellence.
Recognized by the Harbor Association as a member of the Pier T and Pier 400 teams in Great Port Projects awards.

Agensys Biotech Facility, Santa Monica, Calif.

LCI transformed what once was a water heater manufacturing building and a television film set into the 160,000 square foot Agensys Biotech Facility. The biotech research campus has offices, a research center, laboratory and manufacturing facility. It also has a pedestrian pathway, public caf????(R)???(C), and a sculpture garden to showcase local artisans. It was designed to achieve LEED silver certification. LCI received a 2013 Under-Construction Award of Excellence from the L.A. Business Council for outstanding architecture and design for the project.

Plaza of the Fountains, Santa Ana, Calif.

LCI was the prime consultant to restore and upgrade the fountain, plaza and planters for the outdoor feature at the Orange County Civic Center called the Plaza of the Fountains. Plant material was transplanted from the Santa Ana Zoo to create a display of three themes. Accompanying interpretative graphics describe the design and plant selection for the Tranquility, Tapestry and Arroyo gardens.

Cabrillo Way Marina, Port of L.A., San Pedro, Calif.

LCI was part of the design team that completed the landscape and irrigation portions of this project, located along 22nd and Miner streets near the waterfront. The work included street and parkway development, and the incorporation of a future Red Car line, as well as improvements to rights-of-way, key entry points, a parking lot and other public areas. LCI selected plants consistent with a Port Landscape Master Plan and used drought-tolerant materials for sustainability reasons. Turf was used as a temporary solution to a Red Car line easement. LCI also worked with a waterfront consultant on the hardscape, signage and lighting components.

UCI Medical Center, Orange, Calif.

LCI was chosen as the landscape architect by the design/build team and developed the landscape and environmental components for a replacement hospital. The work involved extensive collaboration with UCI, state and local agencies. Key design features included: a connector between facilities; the main plaza; a porte cochere; a dining area with trellis; and a campus garden that features a palm grove, a contemplative water feature, and olive and historical gardens.

Long Beach Community College, Long Beach, Calif.

The liberal arts campus is currently being renovated, a project that includes the front and central quads, several buildings, parking lots and fire access lanes. LCI is the prime consultant on a master development plan for the landscaping, irrigation, grading and site lighting, as well as construction documents to complete the upgrade in phases. Bioswales and underground storage tanks are sustainable solutions to better manage storm water runoff. Drought tolerant plants and smart irrigation controllers and components help conserve water.

Q&A

1. What was the pivotal or motivating factor(s) that made you choose a career in landscape architecture?
I have had a lifelong interest in art, which was fostered from an early age by my parents, who were avid collectors and art enthusiasts. My love of art has woven its way through my career. I felt intrigued and inspired to explore landscape design as a way to creatively express myself.

2. What in particular do you attribute your success to?
Hard work and perseverance, but also luck, flexibility and daring to take chances. I have always surrounded myself with talented and creative people who inspire and energize me.

3. What career advice would you give to a recently graduated landscape architectural student?
My advice would be to avoid getting stuck in the wrong spot. The profession is growing so substantially and has so many interesting facets and directions. Follow your passion and find the right fit for you.