Hall Of Fame Inductees

Pamela Brief

 

Pamela began her career at the award-winning firms of POD and Emmet Wemple and Associates.  In 1989 she became an employee of Walt Disney Imagineering. WDI relocated her to France to design and install Euro Disney, as it was called at that time. Bill Evans, a Disney Legend, would become an important mentor in Pamela’s life. Bill spent countless hours expanding Pamela’s plant knowledge and was always available to talk about the importance of planting design and offer her so ties if his time working directly with Walt Disney. This mentoring helped Pamela contribute to the entry of Disneyland Paris in addition to Main Street and Frontierland. Upon return to the states Pamela contributed to numerous projects such as Animal Kingdom, working on the largest planting scope of her career, the African Safari. She also helped design Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, for Disneyland, and Mermaid Lagoon and Arabian Coast for Tokyo Disney Seas. Pamela spent 2 years in Tokyo during the installation phase working alongside Japanese contractors and building life-long friendships. Pamela loves working in the field and seeing her designs come to life. Pamela has a great respect for her green industry colleagues and works to develop a collaborative relationship during design and construction phases.

 

After leaving Walt Disney Imagineering in 2004 Pamela worked at award-winning firms such as Jerde Partnership, and Brightview Design Group. She now owns her own firm and continues to place an emphasis on story telling through planting design. Pamela loves to spend the day walking nurseries, spending time with growers. She loves talking about their latest accomplishments in the industry or new favorite growing methods. Her planting designs make a difference in the communities of Southern California. Her designs often bring the visitor or homeowner a sense of calm and safety or delight and sense of adventure depending on the wishes of her clients.

 

During my profession career, I have had the pleasure to design award-winning projects both domestically and internationally. In addition, I share an immense appreciation of natural systems and the environment. During the design process I focus on creating an environment that will engage, educate, and enhance the visitor’s experience. I find it extremely satisfying when as project is welcomed by the visitor and becomes a popular destination. 

 

With over 30 years in the profession, Pamela’s strengths include a thorough knowledge of all design and construction phases, a collaborative spirit, and accomplished management skills.  

 

She is intent on fostering an environment where new ideas are encouraged, students are mentored and provided a high-level education that recognizes the many changes going on in our society and world. There are opportunities for landscape architects to step forward and lead the way in solving some of today’s most pressing issues. It would be an honor to be part of the Landscape Architectural Department’s lecture pool and assist in educating tomorrow’s leaders.

 

Pamela is an instructor at UCLA and serves on the UCLA Guidance Committee. She is also Chair of the Landscape Architect Technical Committee, an appointment by the Governor.

  

 

1985 – The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

            Bachelor of Science, Landscape Architecture

            Minor in Business

 2020 – Present           Pamela Studios - Senior Principal

·         Marketing, business development, project management, staff hiring, design, contract documentation review, construction administration.

·         Projects:

o   Pilgrim School, Los Angeles, CA

o   777 Transit Plaza, Los Angeles, CA

o   Lake Avenue mixed-use development, Pasadena, CA

  

2019 – 2020                NUVIS, Senior Principal

·         Responsible for Los Angeles office staff and project management, project leads, proposals, client relationships, project design, review staff work.

·         Projects:

o   Santa Clarita Park, Santa Clarita, CA

o   LADWP Turf Replacement, Los Angeles, CA

o   Confluence Park, Los Angeles, CA

  

2012 – 2019                Pamela Studios, President

·         Marketing, business development, project management, hiring, design, contract documentation review, construction administration.

·         Projects:

o   La Canada Presbyterian Church, La Canada, CA

o   Bautista Residence, La Canada, CA

o   Pilgrim School, Los Angeles, CA

  

2004 – 2008                The Jerde Partnership, Senior Associate

·         Project management, design management of in-house and consultant teams.

·         Projects:

o   Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, CA

o   Qetaifan Islands Design Guidelines, Lusail, Qatar

o   Studio Office Campus, Hollywood, CA

 

2004 – 2008                Schirmer Design, Principal

·         Marketing, project management, design, contract documents, construction administration.

o   Stevenson Corporate Office, Glendale CA

o   La Granada Residence, La Canada, CA

o   Pacific Coast Title, Glendale, CA

 

 1992 – 2004                Walt Disney Imagineering, Principal, Manager

·         Landscape Architectural design, management, Rockwork Engineering manager.

·         Projects:

o   Tokyo Disney Sea, Tokyo, Japan

o   Animal Kingdom, Orlando, Florida

o   Disneyland Paris, Paris, France

 

1989 – 1992                Emmet Wemple & Associates, Project Manager

·         Design, project management, business development.

·         Projects:

o   Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas, NV

o   Pacific Concourse, Los Angeles, CA

o   UCI Psychiatric Center Facility, Irvine, CA

1992-1986                   POD, Landscape Designer

·         Design development and contract document production, renderings, cost estimates, master plan guidelines.

o   Irvine Spectrum

 2019                            Visiting Professional - Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

                                    Met with and reviewed student projects, provided critiques.  

 

2017- Present             Visiting Professional - Cal Poly Pomona

Review of Student Portfolios from 2^nd year through 4^th year. Reviewed portfolio content and presentation as a mentor and potential employer.

 

2017- Present             Senior Project Review - UCLA Extension Program

Reviewed and critiqued student presentations. Comments covered design feasibility, sustainability, planting design, hardscape design, documentation, and presentation skills.

 

2016                            Juror ASLA Student Awards - UCLA Extension Program

Reviewed and scored student projects for potential receipt of ASLA Honor or Merit Awards.

 

2015-Present              Visiting Lecturer - Pasadena CC Department of Architecture

Annual presentation on the profession of landscape architecture with the intent to inspire students and present the variety of job types that fall under the profession of landscape architecture.

 

 

 

 

2018 – Current   ASLA Southern California, Chapter President

2016 – 2018       ASLA Southern California, Chapter President-Elect

2015 – 2016       ASLA Southern California, Programs Committee Chair 

2019 – Current   CREW-LA, Membership Committee, LA Rendezvous Co-Chair 

2019- Current      BIA - Los Angeles, Ventura Chapter  

2019- Present     AWA+D (Association of Women in Architecture +Design)

  

 

Inglewood School District

 

Santa Clarita Central Park / Santa Carita, CA  

Pilgrim School / Los Angeles, CA 

Riot Games Headquarters / Los Angeles, CA 

Orange County Great Park / Irvine, CA 

Yuan Zhou Waterfront Park / China 

Qetaifan Islands Masterplan / Qatar 

Tokyo Disney Sea / Japan 

 

2020                            City of Los Angeles Al Fresco Dining Project

2020                            Green Schoolyards America Outdoor Infrastructure Emergency Design Volunteer

2018 – Current            City of Los Angeles PVP Urban Design Project Review

2017                            ASLA Legacy Project, Los Angeles