Root Design Studio (RDS) is a boutique landscape architecture firm whose passion lies in creating memorable places that are beautiful and resilient. Founded in 2011, the firm believes that "quality design" is a smart, sustainable solution that achieves project goals while minimizing impact to the land and maximizing value to the client and end users. The firm provides a full range of landscape architectural services and has built a diverse portfolio of public and private clients. RDS's approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the site, creative problem-solving, and a dedication to low impact development practices that support environmental health and community well-being. Their collaborative process begins with listening to the client, documenting the physical conditions of the site to identify the full range of challenges and opportunities, and taking all of this information to generate the most creative ideas that still achieve the client's objectives.


The Grove at Towne Center; Snellville, GA

The Grove at Towne Center is part of a multi-year project to create a vibrant downtown for the city of Snellville. The first phase was a $100 million, mixed-use development that consists of luxury multi-family apartments, a new county library, a food hall and market building, two restaurants, and two commercial parcels that surround a two-acre greenspace. RDS was hired to design the hardscape amenities and landscaping for the central park. Their scope of work included a terraced seating area with multiple patios and seat walls, a paved promenade with accommodations for vendor booths, a splash pad, and a custom-designed "Tree House" park pavilion that will accommodate event rentals and live performances. PHOTO CREDIT: ROOT DESIGN STUDIO

 


Red Trail Improvements; Sweetwater Creek State Park, GA

Sweetwater Creek State Park is one of the state's most beautiful and heavily visited parks. RDS was hired to prepare a master plan with recommendations to improve, repair, replace, and re-route portions of the Red Trail and add a few new structures to enhance the visitor experience. The centerpiece is a 1,400-square-foot half-circle event deck that provides a commanding view of the Mill ruins. Other new amenities include an overlook with a bench swing arbor and a cantilevered "sky deck" perched atop a 40-foot rock cliff. The renovations have improved user safety, increased trail durability and resilience, and will allow visitors to enjoy this beautiful amenity for years to come. PHOTO CREDIT: ROOT DESIGN STUDIO




Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail; Helen, GA

The vision for the Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail was to capture the beauty and serenity of the native landscape while providing a recreational amenity along this section of the Chattahoochee River. The trail includes two large stone arches at each trail head, a large overlook deck at the historic Nora Mill Granary, an outdoor classroom, an elevated rock overlook, and several interpretive signs. Each stone arch is approximately twelve feet tall and incorporates cut letters, a cast stone location map, and a small compass rose trail marker. All these elements were custom designed in close coordination with the fabricators to achieve the desired aesthetic. PHOTO CREDIT: ROOT DESIGN STUDIO




Ware-Lyndon House; Athens, GA

The Ware-Lyndon House is a pre-Civil War structure that has been preserved as a living house museum. A group of local stakeholders in conjunction with the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government decided to improve the grounds around the house and secured funding for the project as part of a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The design team worked with the county and the stakeholders to produce a master plan that incorporated historically appropriate garden elements to enhance the experience and expand the programming of the house museum. Upon approval of the master plan, the design team prepared construction documents, assisted the county with permitting and bidding, and oversaw construction of the project. PHOTO CREDIT: ROOT DESIGN STUDIO

As seen in LASN magazine, October 2025.