Alan Barlis - Architect
“Synthesizing high design and the highest standards of sustainability, Alan Barlis’ vision has been central to the development of BarlisWedlick’s industry-leading reputation. In 2018, Alan was elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows for his work and teaching in sustainable design. Over the last 20 years, Barlis has built an award-winning, full-service firm through a broad and distinguished body of work, including private residences, affordable housing, and sustainable commercial compounds. Barlis holds a Masters of Architecture from MIT; he is an architect registered in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Georgia, and Florida, and trained in LEED and Passive House certification and is a member of the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment (COTE)” (“Who We Are.” Barlis Wedlick, www.barliswedlick.com/who-we-are. Accessed 05 Apr. 2024.).
Carrie Livingston - Design
“Since founding her eponymous design firm in 2004, Carrie Livingston has been busy traveling the world, finding unique, one-of-a-kind pieces to create stunning residential and commercial projects in places as far-flung as London, St. Barths and Sardinia. She works closely with clients to ensure the vision for each project is executed seamlessly, while attention to detail is never forgotten… Livingston and her work have appeared in the pages of Vogue, Town & Country, Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest and other publications” (“About.” Carrie Livingston, carrielivingston.com/about/. Accessed 05 Apr. 2024.).
Liza Paredes - Architect
“Liza Paredes joined the BarlisWedlick team in 2006 and since has managed an array of project typologies: rural residential, institutional, and affordable housing. Though adept in these various areas, she is most experienced with city residential work and navigating the complexity of local agencies and their approval processes. Liza takes great care in developing a relationship with her clients that fosters design solution which best meet their goals and aspirations. Liza is a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) and has worked on a number of the firm’s Passive House projects, most notably, the Kinderhook Seventh Day Adventist Church, the nation’s first certified passive house church” (“Who We Are.” Barlis Wedlick, www.barliswedlick.com/who-we-are. Accessed 05 Apr. 2024. ).
Stephen Stimson- Landscape Design
Born and raised on a dairy farm, Stephen Stimson’s agrarian heritage has inspired and shaped the landscapes he has created across New England and the country. He received his education from the University of Massachusetts and the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and has been practicing landscape architecture for over thirty years. He founded the firm in 1992 and is licensed in thirteen states.
His work has been widely recognized with numerous awards from the Boston Society of Landscape Architects and the American Society of Landscape Architects. He has taught at Harvard Graduate School of Design and the University of Massachusetts, and has lectured and served on award and design juries throughout the country. Stephen was elected as a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 2004 for his outstanding achievements in the field of landscape architecture.
For over a decade now, he has been cultivating Charbrook Nursery on his family's historic dairy farm, for project use and field research related to native plant propagation, collected species, planted form and soil specifications. He remains passionately involved in design and projects at all levels throughout the studio and loves to draw by hand. When he is not in the studio or at a site visit, he can usually be found on a tractor somewhere on the farm, with his daughter and son on his lap.
Jon Zeyl- Landscape Contractor
Jon Zeyl founded Landscape Creations in 1998 and serves as President & CEO. Known for his collaborative approach and meticulous standards, Jon applies a unique blend of construction experience and design understanding to help our clients translate conceptual ideas into constructed reality. With a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Rhode Island, Jon is a licensed contractor in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. He also has an unrestricted construction supervisors license in Massachusetts. Certified in various disciplines such as horticulture, coastal management, and invasive plant management. Jon earned NOFA accreditation in organic land care in November 2020.
John Mazur- Artisan ( Lumber and Salt )
John Mazur, served as Principle + Designer of an industrial + graphic design firm in Soho, specializing in branding for brick and mortar retail companies. John studied at RIT majoring in industrial and graphic design and spent his post-grad years working in Germany at an international branding agency.
Rob Cordilla- Photographer
Rob Cardillo has been photographing gardens, plants and the people who love them for nearly thirty years. He’s been credited as the primary photographer for over twenty-five books including Private Edens and Private Gardens of South Florida and The Art of Gardening at Chanticleer, The Layered Garden, Chasing Eden and his most recent work Private Gardens of Philadelphia. Rob's work is also seen in publications such as Gardens Illustrated, Garden Gate, Flower and The New York Times. Along with his Blue Root Media partners, Rob provides editorial content for an award-winning regional gardening magazine, GROW, published quarterly by the venerable Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Winner of numerous photography awards, Rob was inducted into the Garden Writers Association Hall of Fame in 2015.
Muffin Dowdle - Realtor
Muffin Dowdle has been a full-time real estate broker for the last 35 years. She grew up in Mount Kisco one of eleven children. As child “Number Four”, she clearly developed the tools needed in real estate-listening, negotiating, organization and patience. Muffin takes care of her clients with personalized service, her specialty. She consistently has been the top producer at Ginnel as well as the top producer in Northern Westchester. She has personally closed over a billion in residential sales since 2000. She has received the highest honor bestowed by the Westchester County Board of Realtors “The Diamond Award of Excellence” for the past 25 years. An avid equestrian, Muffin has ridden through Northern Westchester her whole life. She has been known to sell properties via horseback. Riding on our amazing trail systems is a favorite pastime. Muffin has been active on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Westchester for the last 25 years.
Phil Levieff
As a child of Gen X, the evolution of technology and its impact on our everyday lives have always been a driving force for Phil.
An early adopter at an early age his passion for finding ways to use technology and art as tools to create efficiencies and bring people together grew further after 23 years in corporate America helping global companies of all sizes integrate disparate human capital management systems to create operational efficiencies leveraging machine learning, predictive analytics, data privacy, and security….or people, process and technology.
In 2016 Phil began creating his model Sustainable Smart Home in Fairfield CT by collapsing multiple disparate Home systems. One of his first connected devices was his 2016 Tesla Model S which sparked his interest in joining the EV club of CT and to understand better why you could not purchase this technology in CT. Since then he has showcased his passion for accelerating the education and adoption of these next-gen technologies as a bridge to the future to bring power back to the people.
Phil was a previous member of the Sustainable Fairfield Task Force and enjoys playing music, sports, art and politics.
Larry Weaner
Our principal and founder, Larry Weaner traces his success to a lifetime of observing nature. As a child, he observed the wild vegetation along the railroad tracks behind his childhood Philadelphia home. His observations over the ensuing 40 years inform an array of influential projects, from small residential properties to major public spaces.
Larry founded LWLA in 1982 after receiving his Associates Degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the Pennsylvania College of Technology and has gone on to design prestigious public and private landscapes. He served on the Board of Directors and as the Environmental Committee Chair for the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. Larry’s New Directions in the American Landscape educational series, established in 1990, is credited as the town square for ecology-based landscape design.
Larry’s book, Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change (Timber Press, 2016), is a literary reflection on his life’s work and foundational ecological principles. It received the American Horticultural Society Book Award in 2017.
Larry has been recognized with numerous awards throughout his career, from an Honorary Membership in the Garden Club of America (2015) to the American Horticulture Society’s prestigious Landscape Design Award (2021).
When he’s not engaged in garden design, you may find him composing music. A self-taught composer, Larry’s contemporary and jazz compositions often mirror his landscapes, incorporating elements of improvisation, innovation, and emotional connection.