Talking Roots, The Importance of Getting Your Hands Dirty, and the Nuance of Words...
For the latest Teska People Feature, we caught up with one of Teska’s newest recruits and Senior Landscape Architect, Christen Little. We chatted about her roots - literal and figurative - and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Christen grew up in northwest Indiana, attending Ball State University with Teska’s Danny O’Brian. While there, she applied and was accepted to both the architecture and landscape architecture programs, ultimately choosing Landscape Architecture. Prior to Teska, Christen worked as a client relations manager, property manager, marketing coordinator, and landscape designer. In these experiences she wore many hats and learned the meaning behind “well, this looks pretty on paper, BUT…”
Flashforward -- In May 2021, Christen joined Team Teska after crossing paths with Vice President Mike Hoffman while working on development plans for the same client. And so the story goes... we are so lucky to have her. Christen currently lives in Cary, Illinois with her husband, two cats, Walle and Delilah, and chocolate lab, Luna... whose furry mug is featured front-and-center at the end of this article #boop.
Image Caption: Christen in her woodshop.
Q: What do you think is the most important skill for landscape architects and why?
A: Generally speaking: communication. Words matter and are nuanced – for example, the word “natural” can mean something different to every client. In my experiences I’ve gained an appreciation for how words have different meanings for different people, and how it’s important to ask questions and work your way through a process with a client. Their words tell a story that guides your next steps.
More specific to landscape architecture, I highly recommend that LAs “get their hands dirty” with property management or work experience where you can learn about the maturity of a landscape and how it evolves over time. Experience that’s not just sitting at a computer or with drafting paper can deeply inform our work—and knowing plant materials and how to maintain them really makes a difference!
“I highly recommend that LAs “get their hands dirty” with property management or work experience where you can learn about the maturity of a landscape and how it evolves over time.”
Q: If landscape architecture was an ice cream flavor what would it be and why?
I think you have to start with a timeless foundation that can be enjoyed by everyone even without the extra sprinkles on top: vanilla. All the other pieces—plants, good communication, infrastructure, etc.—those things are all the delicious toppings.
“... plants, good communication, infrastructure, etc.—those things are all the delicious toppings.”
Q: Why Teska?
A: There is something incredibly fun about joining a place where all the employees are nerdy (in the best way) and passionate about what they do, and everyone puts 150% of their heart into their work. When I first visited the office, Nick walked me around showing posters of past projects—every single story started with “so this project is really cool because…” It was very clear that Nick and everyone at Teska has a lot of passion and creativity which I find very inspiring. Plus, we have a mom n pop feel that is really nice.
“There is something incredibly fun about joining a place where all the employees are nerdy (in the best way) ... everyone puts 150% of their heart into their work. ”
Q: What projects in your career have really pushed you and why?
A: I once worked with a client in Lake Forest who wanted to convert the back lawn of an office building into a park for employees, with an emphasis on exercise, connecting with nature, and a completely sustainable ecosystem. It was fun to dive in and research the complexities involved while also keeping in mind the users and intent of the property. From start to finish I had to wear every hat on this $1.2 million project, from working with the Village, managing the project and team members, ordering materials, etc. And we ended up winning a 2019 Award of Excellence from the National Association of Landscape Professionals!
Image Caption: To align with sustainability principles, most existing lawn areas were replaced with native plant material and perennial beds which now cover more than 25% of the site. The native trees, shrubs, and perennial mixes naturalize the space, are cost-effective to maintain, and fight pests naturally, which minimizes chemical applications.
Q: This or That
- Winter or summer: Summer
- Waffles or pancakes: Waffles
- Coke or Pepsi: Coke
- Card game or board game: Card game
- Dine-in or delivery: Dine-in
- Camping or hotel: Camping
Q: What is your advice for the future landscape architects/youth of America?
A: Be sure to pause and be in the moment. We’re often so distracted today that we sometimes miss connections and connecting with people. Humans crave connections and if we slow down it’s easier to find them! To quote Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Q: If you were caught in a zombie apocalypse and could only bring three things what would they be?
- Water filter
- Map
- Multi-use pocketknife
Q: What is your favorite wood product you’ve created?!
(Christen and her husband have a side-hustle woodworking business called FoxBee Designs!)
We repurposed a large maple tree from my husband’s childhood backyard that had to be removed and made bowls, platters, and other things from it, so that was fun and meaningful. And we built a long table for our foyer that was our first real team effort. I sketched it out, did calculations in AutoCAD, and then my husband took the plans and brought them to life. Now it’s a piece that we’ll have in our home forever!
Q: True or False: Your chocolate lab Luna is the perfect officemate, and she should come to work with you more often.
TRUE! Yes, she’s the quietest, coolest, chilliest dog—just super happy to be around people so 100% she should visit Teska HQ more often.
Image Caption: Christen's chocolate lab, Luna! We could get lost in these loving "moon" eyes for days.