David Berleth was raised in the woodlands of northwestern New Jersey, a landscape of subtle beauty—rolling hills, clear streams, hardwood forests, and historic farms.

In childhood, he spent countless hours exploring the woods, following small brooks, and creating trails. Later, he and his friends discovered an area with a secretive, almost mythical character they named The Forest of Azure. They would lose themselves in a quiet, winding network of back roads that passed through large historic properties with mature trees, old stone walls, gates, barns, and greenhouses. David considers this experience his most formative education.

David earned his degree in Landscape Architecture from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) in Syracuse, New York. During college, he spent a semester in Austria, traveling the countryside and studying the relationships between trails, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. After graduation, he spent six months traveling the United States by way of back roads before arriving in Seattle in 1993.

David met his wife, Chingfen, in Taiwan. She was educated as a ceramic artist in Kyoto and is now devoted to raising and homeschooling their two children. Her influence and perspective continue to be an invaluable part of David’s work and life.

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David Berleth, Landscape Architect, is a small firm specializing in the design of landscapes for urban and rural residential properties. Established in 1995, the practice is rooted in a hands-on, thoughtful approach to design.

Conceptual master plans are drawn by hand from David’s home office on Vashon Island, Washington. During construction, David remains closely involved, selecting materials and collaborating directly with landscape contractors on-site to help ensure both quality and artistry throughout the project.