Justin
Azevedo, PLA, ASLA
Principal
Justin, a licensed Arizona landscape architect, earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Arizona State University in 2014. He is the founder and principal of The Design Laboratory, the heart of the team and the passion behind the lab. His work has earned awards across the discipline that include Honor Awards from the AZ Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for the Skyline Regional Park Trails Master Plan. He has managed and assisted in numerous park, trail and active transportation master plans, design and signage plans. His creative design skills were further recognized through Bronze and Gold Medals for garden designs at the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show. His background in construction and management helps to bring a grounded approach to problem solving from design through construction. In addition to his trail and active transportation work, his experience includes public, commercial, and residential design, cost estimation, construction documents, and website design/build along with other skills. Justin is a Faculty Associate in the Landscape Architecture Department at Arizona State University, continuing The Design Laboratory’s commitment to education and continual learning in the ever-changing design field.
The Team
Dora
Rodriguez
Designer & Urban Planner
Dora Rodriguez, a 2020 Arizona State University graduate, completed her Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture, a minor in Sustainability, and a minor in Design Studies, while graduating Summa Cum Laude. She made the Dean’s List several semesters in a row, as well as received nominations and a winning design in The Design School’s Design Excellence program. She was born in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico and moved with her family to the United States at the age of 3, spending most of this time in Phoenix. Her Hispanic-American background, along with her love for the arts, nature, the environment and her cultural influences was a perfect match for the profession of landscape architecture, a career she is more intrigued by the more she contributes to The Design Laboratory’s designs, works closely with the The Design Lab team, and meets and interacts with The Design Laboratory’s great clients.
Spencer
Heidish Jr
Designer & Urban Planner
Spencer Heidish graduated Cum Laude from Arizona State University 2021 with a degree in Landscape Architecture. He was born in Minnesota and has lived in Arizona for the last 5 years. His experience includes award winning designs with two Design Excellence Awards and one honors award from ASU. Outside of the office he sews and creates clothing and stickers, while also gaming with his friends. He also has a hobby for collecting sneakers since working at Nike in high school. Spencer’s passion for design is always changing and adapting to the current conditions. One thing that will never change is his love for Landscape Architecture.
Jonathan
George
Landscape Designer
Born and raised in the Pacific North-West, Jonathan ventured to Arizona and is currently a Senior in Arizona State University’s Landscape Architecture Program. To this day, Jonathan has maintained a position on the Deans List and been nominated and awarded for Design Excellence on various occasions. His love for adventures along-side his wife gives him the opportunity to explore and appreciate various environments that serve as his inspiration. In his free time Jonathan enjoys hiking, water sports, and creative projects such as aquascaping.
Matt
Carras
Landscape Design II
Matt is an Arizona Native. He has his MLA in Landscape Architecture and BS in Graphic Design from Arizona State University. He is also a Master Watershed Steward and certified plant geek. Matt enjoys the beauty of the desert but has also worked and studied in the Pacific North West and Rocky Mountains. When not designing or teaching you can find Matt enjoying live music cold beer and great conversation! His hobbies include exploring hot springs and alpine lakes in Colorado! He is also an avid Edward Abbey fan.
James
Coffman, PLA
Principal Emeritus
James Coffman, ASLA, is a registered Arizona and Arkansas landscape architect whose experience mixes 30+ years of private and public sector planning and landscape architecture work with 10+ years of teaching at Arizona State University and the University of Arkansas. He has been and continues as the primary trail and pedestrian planner on over a dozen community/regional master plans in Arizona garnering recognition from the American Planning Association, Arizona Chapter and the Arizona Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (AzASLA). Two of James’ custom residential designs: the Pond House and the Colony House received the highest award for residential design from AzASLA in 2008 and 2014. The AzASLA also recognized him as the 2012 Arizona Landscape Architect of the Year, and the 2014 Educator of the Year. He is the AzASLA’s past-Trustee and past-President. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management and Administration from Indiana University and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Ball State University.