OUR STORY

Founded by Marianne Zarkin in 2006, MZLA has a passion for the design of public spaces — including pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, parks, and trails. 

MZLA offers comprehensive services in project management, master planning, design, and construction documentation. We take pride in working closely with our clients to help establish their goals and, ultimately, express their aspirations as a successfully completed project. We strive to create designs that are innovative and appealing, yet will hold up over many years of use, weather, and the challenges of a limited maintenance budget. Using strong design principles, we consider all aspects of the land, environment, growing vegetation, and needs of the user to deliver a beautiful, functional, and ecologically healthy design.

Marianne Zarkin

Principal, PLA, ASLA, LEED GA

Marianne brings savvy insights gained from more than two decades of professional experience in both public and private sectors to her client-focused practice.

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES

  • Licensed Landscape Architect in Oregon and Washington

  • LEED Green Associate

  • MZLA is certified as a DBE and WBE firm in Oregon

  • DBE, WBE certified firm in Washington

OUR
MISSION

MZLA is committed to creating pragmatic, site-sensitive landscapes that are sustainable in both construction and longevity.

At MZLA, our passion for the environment carries over to improving our community. That means giving back by investing our time, energy, and services to projects that benefit the people and organizations we believe in. Marianne has served as a proud supporter of the following community projects and organizations.

Portland Winter Light Festival

COMMUNITY

Habitat for Humanity

SUSTAINABILITY

  • LEED® Green Associate

MEMBERSHIPS

  • Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) –
    Member

  • Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME)  Member.

PUBLICATIONS, PRESENTATIONS & PRESS

Marianne has been featured in various print and online publications highlighting her work commitment and to the environment.

2016 – Featured in the May Landscape Architecture Magazine article about TriMet’s newest MAX line

2015 – Featured in TriMet’s brochure “We Built the MAX Orange Line” highlighting their work with local DBE firms

2014 – Lecture: “Trees by Design: Selecting Trees for the Urban Environment” for the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (PNW-ISA) Conference

2013 – Lecture: “Creating Places” for the Forum for Women in Architecture and Related Design (Fast ForWARD)

2013 – Lecture: “From Confrontation to Collaboration” for the Oregon Landscape Contractors Association EXPO

2013 – Presenter and session organizer of “Westside Story: The Continued Transformation of Portland’s South Waterfront” for the Oregon ASLA Symposium

2012 – Panel moderator for the “Current Trends in Designing for Nature Play” session at the ASLA Oregon Symposium

2011 – Panel moderator for the “Plant Materials for Urban Conditions” session at the ASLA Oregon Symposium

2010 – Speaker for the “Entrepreneur and Principal Panel” for ForWARD

2008 – Featured in the September Oregonian article about eco-roofs

2002 – Honor Award | ASLA Oregon Chapter: Leach Botanical Garden, Project Landscape Architect and Project Manager, MacLeod Reckord

1998 – Merit Award | ASLA Oregon Chapter: Gresham Trails Master Plan, City Project Manager, City of Gresham and David Evans and Associates

1989 – Honor Award | ASLA Student Award: North Carolina State University