WHO WE ARE

Hodgson Douglas Landscape Architects (HDLA) was established in 1985 to provide comprehensive Planning and Landscape Architectural services. The firm was created to serve a market that demands exceptional care, talent, and motivation. We focus on designing landscapes that are thoughtful, functional, and enduring. Over the last four decades, we have approached each project with a commitment to integrating site-specific design with the broader environmental and cultural context. Firm Partners Richie Jones, Chris Barkley, TJ Eliason, and Michael Black, with over 60 years of collective experience, have worked on the design and planning of parks, gardens, campuses, cities, and communities across the country. With offices in Dallas and Nashville, our team of twenty-six (26) professionals is well-equipped to handle projects ranging from large-scale master planning to site-specific implementation.

Our work is rooted in an understanding of place. We begin by listening—learning from the community, the site, and the project’s goals—to develop designs that are both responsive and meaningful. We emphasize clarity in our approach, ensuring that each landscape is not only visually compelling but also adaptable, maintainable, and suited to its users.

Collaboration is central to our process. We work closely with clients, consultants, and stakeholders to develop solutions that balance design vision with practical considerations such as budget, construction feasibility, and long-term stewardship. Our experience enables us to navigate complex projects efficiently, providing clear documentation and working within established schedules. As a firm with deep ties to our region, we bring an awareness of local landscapes and the challenges they present. Whether shaping public spaces, cultural landscapes, or institutional campuses, our goal is to create landscapes that support both ecological function and human connection, enhancing the built environment while reinforcing a strong sense of place.

AWARDS

2024 Rose Faeges-Easton Community Impact Award for The Nashville Women’s Rescue Mission, Nashville, TN
2024 ULI Nashville Excellence in Development Award for Albion in the Gulch, Nashville, TN
2024 TNALSA Award of Excellence for Fort Negley Master Plan, Nashville, TN
2023 ULI Nashville Excellence in Design for Metro Water Services 3rd Avenue Park, Nashville, TN
2020 Merit Award from the TN Chapter of ASLA for Tennessee State Museum, Nashville, TN 2020 Urban Land Institute - Excellence in Development Award for Tennessee State Museum, Nashville, TN 2020 Urban Land Institute - Excellence in Development Award for 225 Polk, Nashville, TN 2020 Retrofit Magazine’s Metamorphosis Award for Orion Headquarters, Memphis, TN 2020 Southeast Building Conference Silver Aurora Award for Main & Clay, Louisville, KY 2020 Southeast Building Conference Silver Aurora Award for River House, Nashville, TN 2019 Honor Award from the TN Chapter of ASLA for Downtown Commons, Clarksville, TN
2019 Honor Award from the TN Chapter of ASLA for Terra House/River House, Nashville, TN
2018 Honor Award from the TN Chapter of ASLA for Southeast Regional Park (Mill Ridge Park), Nashville, TN
2017 Urban Land Institute - Excellence in Development Award for Centennial Park, Nashville, TN
2017 Urban Land Institute - Excellence in Development Award for Thompson Hotel, Nashville, TN
2017 Honor Award from the TN Chapter of ASLA for Terra House, Nashville, TN
2017 Award of Excellence from the TN Chapter of ASLA for Centennial Park, Nashville, TN
2017 Urban Land Institute - Excellence in Development Award for Thompson Hotel, Nashville, TN
2017 Urban Land Institute - Excellence in Development Award for Belcourt Theatre Place, Nashville, TN
2015 Urban Land Institute - Excellence in Development Award for Gulch Crossing, Nashville, TN
2015 Urban Land Institute - Excellence in Development Award for Bellevue Library, Nashville, TN
2015 Urban Land Institute - Excellence in Development Award for The Flats at Taylor Place, Nashville, TN
2015 Honor Award from the TN Chapter of ASLA for The Flats at Taylor Place, Nashville, TN
2015 Honor Award from the TN Chapter of ASLA for Belmont University, Nashville, TN
2015 Honor Award from the TN Chapter of ASLA for Gulch Crossing, Nashville, TN
2015 Honor Award from the TN Chapter of ASLA for Werthan Mills Master Plan, Nashville, TN
2013 Merit Award from the TN Chapter of ASLA for 1700 Midtown, Nashville, TN
2012 Merit Award from the TN Chapter of ASLA for Tennessee Tower, Nashville, TN
2011 Urban Land Institute - Excellence in Development Awards for 1700 Midtown, Nashville, TN
2011 Urban Land Institute - Excellence In Development Awards for Franklin Police Headquarters, Franklin, TN
2003 National American Building Contractors Award for Montgomery County Court House, Clarksville, TN
2003 Honor Award - Middle Tennessee Chapter of AIA for Montgomery County Court House, Clarksville, TN
200 Commendation from The Historical Commission of Nashville – Davidson County for Frist Center for the Visual Arts
2001 Excellence in Development, Award of Excellence for Frist Center for the Visual Arts and U.S. Post Office
2001 Excellence in Development, Award of Excellence for Music Row Roundabout, Nashville, TN
2000 Excellence in Development, Award of Excellence for Bronson Ingram Science Building & North Campus Enhancements - Montgomery Bell Academy, Nashville, TN
1999 Excellence in Development Award of Merit for the Joe C. Davis YMCA Outdoor Center, Nashville, TN
199 Excellence in Development Award for the Battle Ground Academy North Campus, Franklin, TN
1998 Excellence in Development Award for Congregation Micah, Nashville, TN
1996 Excellence in Development Award for the Tennessee Bicentennial Capitol Mall, Nashville, TN
1996 Award of Merit for the Nashville Farmers Market, Nashville, TN
1994 Excellence in Development Award for the Master Plan for Montgomery Bell Academy
1994 Excellence in Development Award for the Rehabilitation of the Ryman Auditorium
1994 Excellence in Development Award for the Evins Mill Retreat, Smithville, TN
1993 The Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects - Tennessee Chapter for the Whitworth New Residential Development
1992 Excellence in Development Award for the Master Plan for David Lipscomb University and Campus School
1992Excellence in Development Award for Fieldstone Farms
1992 Merit Award from the Middle TN Chapter of AIA for the Murfreesboro Civic Plaza and Gardens
1990 Excellence in Development Award for Tennessee State University Master Plan, Nashville, TN Merit Award from the TN Chapter of ASLA for the Vanderbilt University Campus Improvement Plan
Design Merit Award from Middle TN Chapter AIA for the Warner Park Master Plan
Commendation from the Metropolitan Nashville Historical Commission for Peabody Campus of Vanderbilt University