A Work of Art - David Koga Retiring from The Land Group
When David Koga paints, he visualizes his last brush stroke. From there, as David puts it, “the rest falls in place.” Art comes from a series of flexible, creative responses to achieve a desired vision. It comes from a complete palette, an acute eye, and a dexterous hand. It comes from years of practice and the introspective wisdom from reflection.
Much like his approach to the canvas, David’s career in design, management, and outreach has benefitted from his vibrant vision and adaptive capacity. As he approaches retirement, we are compelled to look closer at the work and skill that allowed it all to “fall into place” for David Koga.
Looking Back
Although his family roots are in Hawaii, Idaho provided fertile ground for David to grow. He grew up in Emmett and Meridian, Idaho and spent summers as a swimming pool manager at the City of Meridian where he met his future wife, Laurie. They both attended college in Idaho and were married in 1982. Studio art, art history, and architectural history provided the linework to David’s future vision. However, after three years in the pre-architectural program at Boise State University, a professor noted his love of site design and encouraged David to expand on his passion at the University of Idaho’s Landscape Architecture Department. After a visit and talk with Professor Bill Snyder, David knew he had found his place.
With a freshly minted degree and plenty of enthusiasm, David sought his first position at Franz Witte Landscape Contracting as the economy shuttered many firms’ prospects and work was hard to find. David adapted, finding a position in the nursery and planting pines and professional roots with Franz Witte Landscape Construction served him well to apply his new knowledge of plant material and site design. During these years, he completed design-build projects for Franz Witte and in the winter months, picked up a part time job at St. Luke’s Hospital.
When David and Laurie moved to Salt Lake City for Laurie to attend ultrasound school, David found work as a foreman at a landscape construction company. He eventually found his first position at a landscape architecture firm, Dale Cook and Associates in Utah. After Laurie completed her program, they returned to Boise to be near family. David had the opportunity to work for Jensen Belts Associates, Franz Witte Landscape, and Design West Architects in Boise. Through two years with Design West Architects, David expanded his professional palette, acquiring the skills needed to run a successful business.
The Land Group (TLG)
David’s first venture into business management began as a sub company under Franz Witte called David Koga Landscape Architecture. After graduating from the University of Idaho, Phil Hull joined Franz Witte Landscape, and David gained a talented future business partner and loyal friend. Phil took a full-time job at Franz Witte and worked with David on landscape design projects. As their reputation for quality became well-known throughout the community, contracts increased. The way they saw it, the proverbial door was open and, as always, Laurie encouraged them to walk through it.
Together they approached Franz about starting a firm and he helped them with minor ownership in the business. They moved to a small office in downtown Eagle and began deciding on a name. It needed to be something that could continue beyond their careers, and like their projects, have lasting value. They pictured a multidisciplinary firm that worked on everything outside the building – engineering, designing, planning, and land surveying. This unique strategy formed The Land Group and allowed its resilient corporate structure to continue providing excellent, responsible design through many uncertain times.
From the company’s formative years, Phil took on the company’s financial management while David headed up the client and marketing relationships. As Laurie puts it, they were the perfect union; Phil had the financial acumen, while David thrived in developing client relationships. People were drawn to David; his approachability and humility allowed him to communicate ambitious designs and technical details clearly, and he listened to clients purposefully.
Despite Phil and David’s considerable and complementary skills, the business grew in large part to their dogged work ethic. Laurie recounted, with a knowing smile, David asking to stop at a job site on the way home from the hospital after their second daughter was born. Though the Koga children were not swaddled in construction drawings, Phil and David would work well after dinner many nights building their vision.
Having just graduated from the University of Georgia, Doug Russell headed northwest looking for work. After a car accident had him stranded at a KOA for a few days, he cold-called David and Phil and started doing contract work. Before he knew it, Doug was TLG’s 2nd employee, and eventually, their third partner.
Left to right: Phil Hull, David Koga, Doug Russell
Initially, the main clients were architectural firms and private developers. However, David and Phil’s vision to develop a multidisciplinary firm to include civil engineers and land surveyors soon became a reality. They often worked with Russ Hepworth at EHM Engineers in Twin Falls and eventually hired Russ to bolster the group with civil experience. Jason Densmer at Roylance Engineers & Associates was also a reoccurring consultant which eventually led to the merger with Roylance Engineers in 2006, bringing Jason aboard. This series of events turned The Land Group into a true multidisciplinary firm of landscape architects, civil engineers, planners, and land surveyors.
Challenges Faced
One of the greatest challenges in the profession, even 30 years later, is explaining what landscape architects do and getting consultants on board. Adding the civil component to the company put their team in unique position and growth was fast, reaching a peak of 50 plus employees in 3 offices.
The Land Group’s next great challenge, however, was to survive the recession of 2008. David assumed the role as HR representative during this time; because of his empathy he felt the personal burden of downsizing. Thankfully, they reshaped their focus and were diversified enough to survive while many of their competitors disappeared. They focused on a variety of projects, such as school campus work, subdivisions, commercial buildings, retail stores, governmental projects, and public parks. David credits the diversified structure they achieved for The Land Group with helping them through the difficult times.
But unbeknownst to many, David faced some personal challenges long before landscape architecture was a consideration in his life, fostering his resilient mindset. At age 16, David suffered a devastating head injury that nearly took his life. After being in a coma for three days, doctors did not think he would recover. His family took him to the Mayo Clinic, and after a year of speech and cognitive therapy, he was able to recover and learn how to communicate again. It was not easy getting through college, at times Laurie went with him to classes to help take notes. Overcoming all the odds, David made an amazing recovery.
By rising above those challenges, David was able to form a unique view on life, one that emphasizes relationships, goals, and persistence. His past has reinforced a belief in second chances, illuminated the transformative power of learning and allowed him to lead through action. Through his own optimism, honesty, and easy-going demeanor, he has guided clients through conflicts, served as a mentor to emerging professionals, and inspired his community.
The Work
From Laurie holding a survey stake at David’s first subdivision, to celebrating his daughter’s marriage at Marianne Williams Park, David’s work often forms the background of his family’s experiences. Subdivisions, parks, golf courses, schools, commercial developments, religious institutions, and residences formed with David’s touch can be seen across the landscape, but none elicit a smile quite as authentic as his grandkids playing in parks that “Papa” built.
That is the point of all this work to David. A full portfolio includes more than site designs, planting schedules, and planning literature. It is filled with products that improve the lives of others, facilitate connections, and enable memories to be made. Take, for instance, Settlers Park in Meridian, which features accessible play areas so all can enjoy the play structures and splash pad. Or Fort Missoula Park which reclaims a former gravel pit with historical interpretation and athletic fields. A few others include Heritage park, Island Wood, Generation Park, several BSU Projects, and many more. If you have spent time in Eagle, Idaho, and throughout the Treasure Valley, chances are you have experienced his handiwork. If you’ve spent time with David, you know he loves his job, loves designing, and loves people. The work is, in the end, a product of passion and collective problem-solving that makes the world happier and healthier.
When asked what project he liked the most or is there anything he hasn’t designed yet, David had a unique answer. He enjoys doing high-end residential work and finds it rewarding when there is a great budget that yields high quality design, materials, and planting. On the other side of the spectrum, a project that he has never done, but would like to do, is a residential housing project for the homeless. Providing a unique environmental community that is functional and welcoming for the less fortunate who need a place to stay for a day, week, or month – is just another example of David’s passion to help enhance the places we all experience life in.
Looking Forward
David has served as President of the Idaho-Montana chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, as well as the President and a Principal Landscape Architect of The Land Group since the company was founded in 1988. In that time, the firm has grown from two landscape architects working on a kitchen table to more than 40 individuals that specialize in landscape architecture, civil engineering, planning, and land surveying. David will be missed greatly, but his legacy will live on through the people he has connected, the places he has created, and the company he built. The firm’s culture, capabilities, and charisma are a direct reflection of David and his character – and we are all incredibly grateful for that.
The Land Group has a great future, thanks to the vision and passion of David, Phil, the team of Principals, and their employees. Upon David’s departure, Matthew T. Adams, Principal and Landscape Architect, will step into the company’s role as President.
When people describe David Koga, they note his humility, kindness, honesty, patience, talent, earnestness, artistry, and compassion. His partner, Phil Hull, puts it a different way:
“Imagine a surfer dude meets a landscape architect, that’s David.” - Phil Hull
What does retirement look like for David? He enjoys camping, traveling, hunting, golf, music, art, and being with his grandkids. He will surely continue to play the bass guitar in his cover band, paddle into a few sunsets with Laurie in their new kayaks and paint their adventures with his distinct touch.
David’s vision was always larger than himself. He always considered all of the people that he would work with and that would use the spaces he imagined. With a focus on the larger human and relationship aspects of his career, he has created gardens, communities, and a company of lasting value. Much like his art, he envisioned what that might look like. David’s humility compels him to say things “fell into place.” Those around him know better; David’s career is the well-earned result of enduring relationships, quality work, keen design, persistent integrity, talented colleagues, mutual respect, and inspiring passion. That is how his vision became a reality, and his career a work of art.
