Arica Duhrkoop-Galas, PLA, ASLA
Arica grew up in various parts of Oregon, gaining exposure to the ecoregions that make this place special through much time spent outdoors; camping with her family, growing vegetables with her mom, exploring with her sister, and rock climbing with her husband. She moved to Eugene in 2000 to study Landscape Architecture and quickly found a sense of community here. Practicing primarily in the residential design field for over 15 years, Arica worked for two small firms before starting Artemisia Landscape Architecture in response to the urgency of climate change. She has honed her plant knowledge from years of teaching at the University of Oregon and brings overall project sustainability to the forefront of design, through her knowledge of natural systems and construction materials; a marriage of her research based teaching and her practical project management experience.
Ashlyn Tahlier, Senior Designer, ASLA
Ashlyn became interested in landscape and ecological design after relocating from northeast Wisconsin and feeling a constant draw to the beauty, seasonality, and functions of plants in the Pacific Northwest. Since pursuing landscape architecture her interests have grown to include climate resilient landscape and rewilding strategies, soil remediation, and promoting welfare and equality through accessibility to green space and interaction with native and novel ecosystems. A plant nerd at heart, her design work aims to showcase the unique qualities of different plant species, from aesthetic to ecological functions. Her favorite past times include; camping and hiking the Cascade Range, biking, disc golf, spoiling her Picardy shepherds, and gardening.
Rachel Benbrook, Designer
Rachel brings a diverse design background to landscape architecture, having worked previously in graphic design, event design, and exhibit design and fabrication. That range sharpened her eye for form, color, and space, and her ability to think both spatially and creatively. Developing an exhibit about climate change in the Pacific Northwest pushed her toward a field where she could have a more direct impact on the environment, and she went on to study at the University of Oregon, combining her interest in placemaking with a lifelong love of plants. Rachel designs landscapes that don't just occupy space, but transform how people experience and connect with their environment, with particular attention to climate resilience, sustainable construction, and how a space will actually be used day to day. She spends her free time reading, managing her unwieldy houseplant collection, and checking out all the hot springs and waterfalls of Oregon.