West Oval Glade
A Cultural Landscape Report for the West Oval Glade provides documentary, graphic, and physical information about the cultural history of the site before design begins. The report includes an inventory and analysis of the site’s existing elements, and provides treatment guidelines for preserving the site’s character-defining features.
Client: University of California, Berkeley, with landscape architects Reed Hilderbrand, 2024
Lucky Baldwin’s
Landscape of Leisure
The Reid-Baldwin Adobe is located on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia. After extensive repairs to the structure, the condition of the adjacent landscape necessitated reconstruction. An Historical Analysis examined written and photographic records of the site’s cultural history, and established character-defining features and treatment recommendations; an Interpretive Design was prepared to guide future reconstruction of the site.
Client: Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation, with Lisa Gimmy Landscape Architecture, 2023
Virginia Robinson Gardens
The Virginia Robinson Gardens Cultural Landscape Report was prepared for a National Park Service Class I Historic American Landscape Survey (HALS CA-148), co-authored with historian Steven Keylon; and with a professional team led by landscape architects Lisa Gimmy and Alison Terry.
Client: Friends of Virginia Robinson Gardens/Los Angeles County, 2022
Awards: California Preservation Foundation, 2023
and Southern California Chapter ASLA Public Stewardship Award, 2023
Southern California Horticultural Society: Horticultural Heroes
The Horticultural Heroes program consists of a series of in-depth interviews, videos, and archived photographs with captions. These materials document the life and career of distinguished botanists, arborists, horticulturalists, nursery owners, and researchers who have made a significant contribution to the horticultural field, including Robert Smaus, Laurel Woodley, and John Bleck.
Client: Southern California Horticultural Society, 2022 - 2024
Langham Huntington, Pasadena
The Langham Huntington is an iconic hotel set within a collection of historic landscaped gardens. This Cultural Landscape Report provides documentary, graphic, and physical information about the cultural history of the site; provides an inventory and analysis of the site’s existing elements; and presents the most appropriate approach to treatment guidelines for the character-defining features of the site’s gardens.
Client: Historic architects, Chattell, Inc., 2019
J. B. Leonis Estate
Cultural Landscape Report
Developed in 1926, this residential estate is located in the Hancock Park area of Los Angeles. The property is a rare, double-lot that incorporates a two-story Mediterranean Revival residence and a detached garage with gardener’s quarters designed by master architect Richard D. King, and a large, semi-formal garden with a paved fountain courtyard and wood pergola, designed by noted landscape architect Paul J. Howard. This report facilitated a Mills Act application.
Client: Private residence, 2019
Historic Designed Gardens in Pasadena, 1873 – 1975
“Historic Designed Gardens in Pasadena, 1873 - 1975,” was prepared for a National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form. Multiple authors contributed to the research and writing of the document’s gardens.
One of Comras’ contributions was the Bryner-Doerr Garden, designed by landscape architect Florence Yoch in 1928 and preserved by her student, landscape architect Ruth Shellhorn, from 1978 to 1992. The garden remains intact.
Client: City of Pasadena, and in consultation with Sapphos Environmental, Inc., 2012
Simon Meadow: Open Space Design and Ecologically Sensitive Habitat Area Restoration
Simon Meadow is an open space park dedicated to outdoor recreation and nature study. The property is located adjacent to Temescal Gateway Park in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Although privately owned, many of the site's activities are open to the general public, including day camps, and art, nature, and wellness events. Design of the area includes an open playing field, public park trail access, picnic tables, rustic fencing, and landscaping with native plants.
A small parking area provides a buffer zone for a meadow designated as an ecologically sensitive habitat area (ESHA). This was a cooperative, community-based design and installation.
Client: Palisades-Malibu YMCA, 2012
Fire Station 23
Los Leones Canyon Trailhead
Topanga State Park
Site refurbishment and development of this native plant garden establishes an appropriate entrance into the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Leadership implemented a community-based design, funding, construction, and volunteer maintenance program.
Client: City of Los Angeles, 2011
Will Rogers State Beach
Dune Restoration
Erosion of the dune ecosystem led to the establishment of a community-based design, funding, construction, and volunteer maintenance program. The dunes remain intact.
Client: Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, 2010
Award: Los Angeles County Volunteer of the Year, 2012
The Stairways of Castellammare
An illustrated historical landscape survey explores early 1900s development of this hillside community with multiple pedestrian access routes to the sea.
Client: The J. Paul Getty Trust, 2009
Edible, aromatic, and floriferous are the plants that filled this chef’s personal garden.
Client: Private residence, 2006
Kitchen Garden
Serene Garden
A sandy hillside with little useable space sloped down to the homeowner’s back door. The slope was replaced with a series of terraces that include space for cooking and eating, playing, and lounging. Terraces are connected with walkways and an engawa, a small viewing deck. The areas are linked with white-flowering trees of ornamental pear, tea tree, and magnolia, as well as white-flowering azalea, jasmine, and Indian hawthorn.
Client: Private residence, 2003
Metro Greenway
Corridor Opportunities
This study was undertaken at a time when the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission was preparing to close escrow on a significant number of rights-of-way. Inspired by goals similar to the Rails-to-Trails program, the Greenway Corridor study sought to establish a connection to Los Angeles County Flood Control properties with such linkages as Class I bicycle trails and major points of interest throughout Los Angeles County.
Client: Los Angeles County Transportation Commission, and Mountains Conservancy Foundation, with Pat Miller Evans, 1992
Franklin Canyon Ranch
Franklin Canyon Ranch is a mid-city oasis that serves as a backdrop to intensive educational and interpretive nature programs. Development of the site for public use represented an invigorated approach hallmarked by stronger public/private linkages and advocacy.
Client: National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, 1984
Award: National ASLA Merit Design Award
Mulholland Scenic Parkway Corridor
The assessment of an eleven mile segment of the Mulholland Scenic Parkway Corridor draws upon U.S. Forest Service analytical tools to classify areas of scenic and resource significance for the purpose of developing guidelines for cooperative land use decisions between NPS and other entities.
Client: National Park Service, with planning staff from Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and Denver Service Center, 1982
Accessible Trails: A Case Study at Malibu Creek State Park
Ten years before passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), the National Park Service was considering the implications of providing greater access to its national parks. A growing, a more urban, and a more diverse generation of national park users helped launch the creation of National Recreation Areas. Amidst careful deliberation about the appropriate balance between access and preservation, NPS initiated an exploration of multi-sensory, interpretive, accessible trails design in natural areas. Co-authored with Lisa Bilhorn and Pat Miller.
Client: National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, 1980