Loretta Jean Sawaski

I am a native Hoosier, a graduate of Ball State University's Architectural School with degrees in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Science, a registered Landscape Architect, and an enthusiastic proponent for creating beautiful and lasting landscapes for both residential and commercial enterprises.

Career Chronology

1989-Present: Founder and owner of Living Landscapes . . . a company providing landscape design and optional follow-up installation services for a wide variety of residential and commercial clients. Our focus is on helping clients invest their time, energy and resources on quality landscapes that will continue to bring lasting beauty and enjoyment for years to come.

1984-89: Provided landscape design services from site analysis through cost estimates, presentation and clients sales, to installation follow-up and coordination for several landscaping firms in central Indiana and North Carolina.

Career Responsibilities

Community Service Responsibilities

• Producer/Host of “TeenTalk” – Radio Talk Show for blind teenagers

• Camp Sertoma Improvements Committee - Designed & coordinated landscaping of new building

• Sertoma Spring Plant Sale Co-Chair - two years

• St. Luke’s Young Singles’ Reunion Committee Chair

• St. Luke’s Young Singles’ Holiday Auction Chair

• St. Luke’s Young Singles’ Talent Show Co-Chair – seven years

• Hoosier Environmental Council Development Co-Chair

• Hoosier Environmental Council/Pacers Foundation “Hoop-A-Thon” Volunteer Coordinator

• Hoosier Environmental Council Silent Auction Chair

• United Christmas Service – Organized the sponsorship of numerous families over the years

• Shepherd Community Neighborhood Center – Designed/Organized/supervised landscaping

• Habitat for Humanity – Organized work teams for two homes

• Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowl-A-Thon – Organized numerous teams over the years

• Eagle Creek Reservoir Clean-Up – Organized a work day competition among several teams

Project Related Experience

Launched a successful new business venture with the formation of Living Landscapes.

Has extensive experience in Landscape Architectural design and quality control of design/installation efforts, from the onset of the project through final construction, for a wide array of clients from individual home owners to large scale commercial projects for business, industry and governmental facilities.

Project responsibilities have included integration of newly landscaped areas with surrounding landscapes with an emphasis on aesthetic appeal, as well as functionality, with existing and future architectural elements throughout the project site.

Brings to the project team the ability to create "exciting outdoor living spaces", in part, because of her "dynamic enthusiasm" for the profession and, in part, due to a strong design background.  Experience in the "nuts and bolts" area of the industry, including pricing and installation, has strengthened her ability in the practical application of design solutions.

Education

Graduate of Ball State University, 1984, with a Bachelors of Landscape Architectural and Environmental Science.  Cumulative Grade point Average: 3.0.

Courses included five years of design, two years of Design Communications Media, one year of Plant Design and one year of Engineering as well as courses in Environmental Systems, Parks and Recreation Planning, Man and His Environment, and Structures.

Projects during college included a fifth-year thesis "Winter Gardens" for White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis, Mississinewa River recreational study, Muncie neighborhood study, German Village renovation in Columbus Ohio, housing developments, parks, playgrounds, church grounds, and city plazas.

Professional Associations

• Registered Landscape Architect in North Carolina (License #0648).
• Member Fishers Chamber of Commerce
• Founder - Living Landscapes

Current Memberships

• Delta Delta Delta Sorority – Charter Member of Ball State University Chapter
• Indianapolis Ambassadors (Community Service Organization)
• IRIS – Indiana Reading Information Service (Producer/Host of “TeenTalk” – Radio Talk Show)
• Sertoma Club of East Indianapolis – Community Service Organization (Social Events Chair)
• Sister to Sister – Women’s Bible Study
• St. Luke’s Players – Theatrical Troupe (Sunday Worship Drama Team Co-Chair)
• W.A.I.C. – Women of Abundance Investment Club

Contributed content (under maiden name of Loretta Spilker) to "Backyard Secrets of the Garden Experts" by Leslie Garisto, Published by Rodale Press (1999), ISBN: 0-87596-802-3.

Landscape Architectural Project Listings

Residential projects include  . . . 

1. New home owners who need help in placing the home, driveway and walkways, as well as initial landscape design. 
2. Existing home owners wanting to enhance their current foundation and patio/deck areas. 
3. Home owners needing professional assistance for large scale projects with amenities such as swimming pools and gazebos, ponds and waterfalls, multilevel decks with raised planting beds, special landscaping needs for lakefront properties, etc.

Commercial projects include . . .

1. Industrial facilities, business parks, shopping areas, office buildings such as banks, insurance companies, day care facilities with playgrounds.
2. Residential subdivisions,  condominiums, retirement communities.
3. Interstate rest areas, rails to trails projects, state park nature centers, town plazas, town halls, police stations, fire houses, court houses, judicial centers, youth centers, detention facilities, municipal utilities (water, sewage, gas).

Specific commercial projects include...

Company Profile