Lisa and Tim Goodman have been making gardens since 1986. Prior to meeting and creating Goodman Landscape Design, Lisa was a distinguished photographer represented by numerous galleries. Tim, also a fine art photographer, having recently graduated from UC Berkeley in art History, was trying to make a go of it as an architectural photographer. Both were feeling increasingly stifled by their career choices: Lisa by the commercially driven, cut throat gallery scene and Tim by the lack of the creativity in his architectural work. Tim had developed an intense interest in gardens while living in England during his high school years and had helped put himself through Cal working as head gardener on a three acre Piedmont estate. Lisa, too, was very interested in gardens and had an exceptional sense of color, form, line and balance gleaned in part by her four years at CCAC. Determined to put their artistic acumens to better use, they quit their day jobs and started Goodman Landscape Design. Creating and building landscapes, though modest at first, quickly revealed itself an intensely satisfying endeavor that also allowed them the time and space to pursue their fine art photography without the constraints imposed by commercial considerations.
The early years were filled with self-taught study - architecture and horticulture – in class instruction at Laney College’s outstanding horticulture program and further edified by more than a few “teachable moments” in the field.
The Goodman’s 38 year liaison is most unusual. Their artistic vision and expression weaves seamlessly from their world of photography into the gardens they landscape. Pursuit of beauty, and creating spaces that feel good to be in anchor Tim and Lisa’s work. Their gardens are distinguished by their sensitivity to the site and the architecture of the home, flow, balance, scale and detail of its hardscape and sustainable beauty of its soft-scape. The needs and aesthetics of the client are carefully considered and addressed in each project. No two projects are alike.
GLD eschews trendy fads, focusing instead on the creation of timeless gardens utilizing time tested tenets of good design, many of which can be found in Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa and Murray Silverstein’s exceptional tome, “A Pattern Language”.
GLD is a design/build firm that has preferred to remain small in order to ensure good client communication and the highest on-site quality control. Their ten person crew is highly skilled, most of whom have worked with Lisa and Tim, on average, for over 15 years. GLD delivers all aspects of the project, from design to finished garden, with a minimum of subcontractors, typically only for large scale concrete finishing and ironwork. Performing nearly all tasks in-house helps ensure timely completion and a high degree of craftsmanship.
Because GLD has refused to grow with demand, the average wait between initial meeting, completion of the design and installation of the garden, can take many months and sometimes over a year. Accordingly, GLD is not a good fit for those who need things done in a hurry. Their projects typically range in scope from $150,000-$600,000, with the occasional exception.
Aside from their landscape work, Lisa and Tim continue to actively pursue their photographic work, exhibiting with some regularity around the country. Lisa’s photographs have been collected by numerous individuals and galleries, while Tim’s work can be found in the permanent collections of several institutions, including the San Francisco Museum of Art. His most recent book, “Under The Overpass”, is a collection of pictures taken in Oakland.
2021 marks Goodman Landscape Design's 35th anniversary. Tim and Lisa had the great fortune to celebrate their 30th by traveling to Japan in the Autumn of 2015 to relish in and absorb some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. They hope to return there soon.
lisatoby.com timgoodmanphotography.com
HONORS & AWARDS
-San Francisco Bay Area East Sweepstakes Award for the Buchholz Residence (Rugby Ave, Kensington) California Landscape Contractors Association(CLCA) 2009
-San Francisco Bay Area East, First Place Award for large residential design and installation for the Anderson Residence (Yale Circle, Kensington) California Landscape Contractors Association(CLCA) 2009
-City of San Rafael design award/honorable mention for landscaping and site enhancements for 7 &11 Mark Drive, San Rafael - a collaboration with Rynerson & O’Brien Architecture, 2007
-Masters of Design Award from Pool & Spa News, 2006
-"Best Outdoor Living," Design Award, City of Piedmont, CA, 2006
-“Secret Gardens of the East Bay" Selected by the Park Day Garden Committee to be represented in the garden tour, 2009, 2005, 2002, and 1998.
-CLCA Statewide Trophy Awards, first place award for large residential design and installation, 2005
-Best Residential Architectural Remodel And Landscaping Award, Berkeley Architectural Historical Association (B.A.H.A.), 2004
-Best Residential Restorative Landscape Design And Installation Award, Berkeley Architectural Historical Association (B.A.H.A.), 2003
-Concrete Masonry Association's Honor Award, private design category, co-winner with Radcliff Architects, 2004
- CLCA First Place Award for Medium Residential Design and Installation for The Bay Area, 1997
-Berkeley Horticultural Nursery's First Place Award For Best Medium-Sized Garden, Bay Area, 1995
-Berkeley Horticultural Nursery's First Place Award For Best Small Garden, Bay Area, 1992
PUBLICATIONS
-LandscapeOnline
-Sunset Magazine
-Old House Journal
-Lawn and Landscape
-The San Francisco Chronicle
-Oakland Tribune
-Contra Costa Times Backyard Makeovers
-Taunton Press' Tile Idea Book
-Pool & Spa News
-Sunset's Curb Appeal
-House Colors by Susan Hershman of STUDIO+ONE:DESIGN 2007
-Sunset's Western Landscaping Book
-HGTV's Home and Garden
-Berkeley Rocks - building with nature by Jonathan Chester
-Taunton Press' In-laws, Outlaws, and Granny Flats by Michael Litchfield