Action Through Leadership: Leading at the Intersection of Engineering and Architecture

What if the next time you walked past a school, the retaining wall wasn’t just a wall—but a vibrant community gathering space? That’s the kind of transformation you can expect when landscape architecture, engineering, and architecture come together with intention and leadership.

At Lamp Rynearson, our Landscape Architecture Practice Lead, Zack Fergus, sees his role as more than just guiding a team—he’s an advocate for collaboration and education. Landscape architecture is still a relatively new discipline at Lamp Rynearson and in our region, so Zack spends a lot of time helping both clients and colleagues understand what landscape architecture brings to the table. “It’s all about a good outcome for a project,” Zack says. “By integrating landscape architecture with civil engineering and architecture, we’re able to deliver results that go beyond the expected.”

One of Zack’s favorite examples of this approach in action started with a simple request: a local school district needed a standard tiered retaining wall. But instead of just building what was asked, Zack’s team asked, “What could this be?” Working closely with engineers, they reimagined the space as an outdoor community area—complete with seating and lawn space for families. The result? A once-utilitarian wall became the heart of the school’s outdoor life, hosting movie nights and community gatherings. “Seeing families fill the space, with no seats or lawn left open, was really cool,” Zack shares. “A very small change can make a space come to life.”

This mindset—looking for opportunities to add value and create lasting impact—is at the core of how Lamp Rynearson’s landscape architecture team operates. Sustainability and resiliency aren’t just buzzwords; they’re built into every design decision. Zack emphasizes that true sustainability means thinking beyond appearances. “We’re not interested in greenwashing. We’re focused on long-term maintenance, the inputs required, and making sure the project works for years to come—well beyond the ribbon cutting.”

So, what advice does Zack have for clients who want to maximize the benefits of integrated design? Start with a multidisciplinary team. “Let the architect do what they do best, let the engineer do what they do best, and let landscape architecture fit in that middle ground,” he says. “That’s where we enliven a space, create a place, and bring a vision to life. It’s about creating community spaces that people want to be in.”

As we celebrate World Landscape Architecture Month and the theme of “Action Through Leadership,” Zack’s perspective is a reminder that the best results come from collaboration, curiosity, and a willingness to see every project as an opportunity to build something enduring for your community.

Learn More About Our Landscape Architect Team and Projects