Principal
Mary Ellen Cowan leads MESA’s residential design studio. With over thirty years of experience in landscape architecture, Mary Ellen has an extensive understanding of garden design, both historic and contemporary, and expresses that knowledge in innovative design concepts.
With MESA since 1996, Mary Ellen has developed a collective design approach embracing the landscape with respect to topography, natural systems, and the interpretation of site and its relationship to architecture. This approach respects the intentions of the architect while capturing the values of her clients. Her project work consistently generates outstanding design solutions receiving both state and national design awards. Mary Ellen has earned an exceptional reputation as a leader among her peers within the design community.
Mrs. Cowan’s work strives to create harmonious relationships between the site and architecture in sophisticated, quintessential ways. Her projects enable her to work with architects and clients who value the arts, architecture, and the exploration for how these attributes enhance the built and cultural environment.
