John Hreno
Landscape Design · Studio Leadership · Practice Growth
My approach connects landscape, architecture and everyday life. I bring an architectural understanding of space, proportion and construction together with close attention to terrain, planting, materials and natural systems. I carry design intent through site planning, documentation, consultant coordination and decisions in the field, creating outdoor spaces that feel rooted in their setting and become richer over time.
My work has ranged from private gardens and estates to cultural landscapes, campuses, and public spaces. That breadth informs my residential practice, where thoughtful details and a strong connection to place shape everyday experience.
Alongside hands-on design, I have led teams, guided project delivery, mentored staff, and developed client relationships. My experience includes four years leading many aspects of Hoerr Schaudt’s West Coast operations.
I welcome full-time opportunities to contribute through residential landscape design, studio leadership, and practice growth. My preference is to remain in California, though I would consider relocation for the right opportunity.
I would also welcome a conversation with a practice interested in establishing or strengthening a Southern California presence.
Studio Leadership + Mentorship
- Internal staff leadership
- Supervised and mentored internal project teams of 2–8 people located across the country.
- External coordination
- Managed coordination with external consultant and design teams of 6–30 people across multiple firms.
- Responsibilities
- Design creation and review, workload allocation, permit and construction documents, proposals, fees, client acquisition, and financial oversight.
- Mentorship
- Mentored numerous direct reports who advanced to project manager.
- Expanded scope
- Helped expand Wabi-Sabi House from an initial interior-garden commission to the full property.
- Project continuity
- At Berkley Riverfront, managed an architect transition at the end of design development by transferring design history, adapting workflows and drawing protocols, and maintaining the master schedule.
- Practice development
- Developed architect and contractor relationships that generated new residential opportunities and repeat work.
Client Relationships + Practice Growth
I build relationships that create opportunities for new work, expanded scope, and repeat collaboration. The examples below show my role and the resulting commission, pursuit, or next step.
Wabi-Sabi House
- Opportunity
- Palm Canyon Development approached John with an initial commission for a small Japanese-inspired interior garden; he expanded the scope to the entire property.
- Action
- Led the design and client relationship through realization, with project management and field coordination of boulder and specimen-tree placement.
- Result / stage
- Built (2025); recognized with LUXE RED, Architizer A+ and Oasis awards; continuing collaboration with the architect.
The Getty / Gehry Partners
- Opportunity
- The Getty Trust — a long-standing institutional relationship, originating with the historic Getty Villa garden and planting design (2000–2002).
- Action
- In 2026, led Hoerr Schaudt's shortlisted RFP response for the Getty expansion, with Gehry Partners as architects.
- Result / stage
- Shortlisted; not awarded. Gehry Partners expressed interest in future opportunities.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
- Opportunity
- Relationship with the Associate Director of Exhibition Design and Production.
- Action
- Hoerr Schaudt was invited onto a private short list to respond to an RFP for the landscape installation of Jeff Koons' Split Rocker.
- Result / stage
- Invitation to a private short list (qualifications stage); not a secured commission.
University of Southern California (USC)
- Opportunity
- USC Architecture and Planning.
- Action
- Initiated contact, leading to Hoerr Schaudt's submission of qualifications for USC's approved services providers list.
- Result / stage
- Qualifications submission; placement on the approved providers list not confirmed.
Selected Architectural Collaborations
Selected collaborations across my career, including work completed at previous firms.
Ferguson & Shamamian
Tim Barber Architects
Gensler
Historical Concepts
Jeffrey W. Smith
Jensen Architects
Mark Finlay
Tighe Architecture
Client Experience
The Getty Trust
Augusta National Golf Club
Ritz-Carlton
Knott's Berry Farm
Disney
Toll Brothers
Trammell Crow
Lennar
Vanke
Rolex
Kilroy Realty
“Collaborating with John over the years has been very easy and thoroughly enjoyable. His attention to detail and willingness to work with anyone really shines through within the first few moments of a meeting.”
Bryon Spicer
Principal, KPFF Engineers