Experienced landscape architect with extensive Bay Area design, project management, and construction experience across a wide range of client and project types. Sarah earned her MLA at UMass Amherst in 1997 and has been a practicing California licensed landscape architect since 2001.
Sarah is an Associate Principal at PlaceWorks, where she mentors and oversees the Landscape Architecture division within the Berkeley office. She is the design lead, initial point of contact, and Principal of Record for landscape architectural projects throughout the State of California.
She was an early adopter of the BayFriendly Rating System in 2009, and now serves on the Board of Directors for ReScape California, a non-profit organization that educates about and advocates for a whole-systems approach to landscaping that works in harmony with the natural world and addresses the changing environment. Ms Gronquist is a qualified ReScape Rater.
Her skill at integrating and communicating ideas clearly and accurately also finds expression in teaching and speaking about technical issues at many undergraduate and graduate design institutions. As an instructor, Sarah has developed and taught college-level course content for many Bay Area institutions, including Merritt College, Academy of Art University, UC Berkeley and UC Extension. She has long been interested in technical issues related to grading, construction detailing, and stormwater management. She has also taught planting design studios, professional practice, and business courses for landscape designers and contractors.
Sarah is the primary instructor and coordinator for the SGLA Technical Training Preparatory Course for the Landscape Architectural Registration Exam, which was developed by Ray Freeman and passed on to her in 2019. Follow the links below for more information about LARE Prep.
Preparatory Course for the LARE
Beta Testing for the Online CSE Preparatory Course