studio pappaterra creates botanically rich, ecologically resilient gardens in the Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI).

We design landscapes where ecology, wildfire behavior, and human habitation intersect, embedding fire risk reduction, biodiversity, soil and water stewardship, and community resilience while keeping gardens effortlessly natural and artistic.

Founded in 2022 and women-owned, studio pappaterra is led by Elisa Read Pappaterra, an award-winning licensed landscape architect with expertise in fire ecology and horticulture.

Our multidisciplinary team guides each project from concept through long-term stewardship, combining deep plant knowledge, Firewise expertise, and construction experience to bridge science and art.

We take a holistic approach, considering every layer of a site—from natural systems to cultural heritage—best summed up as from soil to soul.

Selected projects from our ongoing collaborations