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Heather Heimarck, ASLA and Gina Foglia, LEED AP combine skill and experience to form a landscape architecture studio focusing on environmental planning and design. Ms. Heimarck, the new director of Harvard University’s Landscape Institute of the Arnold Arboretum, will guide the firm and the Institute to be at the forefront of current research and practice. Ms. Foglia’s deep commitment to community development, creative design, and smart growth will provide the umbrella for the firm’s work. Heimarck & Foglia, LLC is soon to be the home of ‘Union Design Guild,’ a consortium of artists and designers.
Housing and Residential Design
Campus Planning
Art Installations		 Cultural & Public Institutions
Parks and Playgrounds
Green Roofs
SERVICES AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Specialized services we offer:
Creative Innovative Thinking Collaborative Teams
Community Process Design
Site Analysis and Selection
Feasibility Studies
Comprehensive Site Planning 		Construction Drawings & Specifications Construction Observation
Native Plants & Specialty Gardens Active Play & Learning Spaces
Historic Renovation
Public Presentations
LEED Process
 

Heather Heimark, Principal

Ms. Heimarck founded Highmark Land Design based on a dedication to the practice of socially responsive design, integrative site dynamics, and landscape stewardship. Ms. Heimarck earned her masters in landscape architecture from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design. She has practiced in Houston and the Northeast working with distinguished multidisciplinary planning and design firms such as Carr, Lynch, Hack & Sandell, and the Slaney Santana Group; and on high-end residential, campus, and civic design as a senior associate with Richard Burck Associates.
Previously a sculptor, Heather is interested in the intersection of art and ecological landscapes, and brings a keen modern aesthetic and green perspective to residential design. Heather's current research on stormwater reuse and other ecological systems-based solutions often finds expression in HLD residential and public projects. She is a strong and mentoring leader for the HLD team.

Maria Bellalta, Senior Associate

Born into a family tradition of architecture and raised in Chile, England and the United States, Ms. Bellalta brings a sophisticated and refined design eye to her work as a landscape architect. Since receiving her degree from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design, Ms. Bellalta has accrued over fourteen years professional experience in internationally acclaimed firms such as the sculpturally driven office of Martha Schwartz, and the multidisciplinary landscape/planning firm, Sasaki Associates. Her experience with Boston-based projects includes work with Copley Wolff Design Associates, the Boston Parks Department, the Central Artery, and design for private clients. Ms. Bellalta received her BA in Art and Psychology from the University of Notre Dame. She is keenly interested in South American cultural and physical landscapes, and has consulted on large civic projects in Cuidad Chicureo, Chile.

Gina Foglia, Principal

Ms. Foglia, Certified LEED Professional, is the principal of Foglia Design Associates in Somerville, MA. She has a long-standing association with HLD, including collaborative projects such as Union Place in Somerville, MA and PS21 in Chatham, NY. Raised in the nursery trade, Ms. Foglia has an impressive knowledge of horticulture and natural systems. Ms. Foglia specializes in sustainable design, community based work and liaison building between the private and public sector. Her comfortable style facilitating community meetings is a great value to the client and project. Originally trained in Fiber Arts and Horticulture at SUNY Empire State College, Ms. Foglia received her masters in landscape architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. Ms. Foglia is associated with UMass Boston and the New England Wildflower Society in developing programs ranging from professional development to community outreach and education. She is former president of the Mystic View Task Force in Somerville.

Ellen Schneider, Associate Designer

Ms. Schneider received her MLA from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design in June 2005. Prior to landscape architecture, Ms. Schneider's professional background was in politics and education. Her experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Namibia and work with ecological wastewater treatment systems in the United States helped focus her design interests on sustainable, low-cost, flexible environmental solutions. Ms. Schneider has a BA in Biology from Williams College. She brings her sound knowledge of plant systems and spatial geometry to her design work at HLD, along with significant communication skills built over a decade of work with diverse communities.