Nationally Recognized Landscape Architect Rob Gray Joins Design Workshop as Senior Design Leader
Design Workshop welcomes Rob Gray to its Denver studio as a senior design leader. With nearly three decades of award-winning experience shaping some of the nation’s most iconic public landscapes, Gray brings a bold vision, interdisciplinary expertise, and deep commitment to place-based design to the firm’s growing portfolio of transformative projects.
“Rob is a nationally respected voice in landscape architecture whose work redefines how we think about public space,” said Robb Berg, president of Design Workshop. “I’ve known Rob for nearly 20 years, and his breadth of experience, design integrity, and collaborative spirit make him a natural fit for Design Workshop. His leadership will be instrumental as we deliver high-impact work throughout the country—including the reimagining of Cherry Creek West—and continue to grow our influence nationally with major commissions underway in Houston, Oklahoma City, Cupertino, and San Diego.”
As both a landscape architect and urban planner, Gray offers a comprehensive understanding of the built environment. Gray has led the conceptualization and execution of a wide range of complex civic, institutional, commercial, and residential landscapes. Recent projects include The Meadow at the Old Chicago Post Office, the country’s largest privately-owned rooftop garden and recipient of a 2023 National ASLA Honor Award in Design; the renovation of the Forest Park Steinberg Skating Pavilion in St. Louis; an expansion plan for the Atlanta Botanical Garden; a seven-acre rooftop garden atop the revitalized Houston Post Office; a beautification strategy for the Iowa Great Lakes region; and numerous high-end private residential commissions.
Before joining Design Workshop, Gray served as partner and principal-in-charge of Hoerr Schaudt’s Kansas City studio, leading design direction, strategic growth, and interdisciplinary collaboration. His earlier career includes key roles at BNIM, HOK, Forrec, Sasaki, and Thomas & Thomas Planning in Colorado Springs, where he began his professional journey.
“I’m honored to join a firm with such a deep legacy of place-based innovation and thought leadership,” said Gray. “Design Workshop has always stood for the power of design to improve lives and shape resilient, meaningful environments. I’m excited to contribute to that mission and to collaborate with this talented team on projects that will define the future of our cities and landscapes.”
Gray earned his master’s degree in landscape architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University.
Matthew Nilsen Joins Board of Directors of Douglas County EDC
Matthew Nilsen, an associate in Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s Real Estate Department, has joined the board of directors of the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), which works to promote economic vitality, attract investment, and support local businesses in Douglas County, Colorado. The EDC focuses on attracting cutting-edge industries, including aerospace, clean tech, finance and health care.
The board—which is comprised of Douglas County commissioners, business and industry stakeholders, and private investors—leads the EDC’s mission, vision, strategy, finances and more. As part of his role, Nilsen will support, represent and contribute to the firm’s ongoing commitment to the Douglas County EDC.
Nilsen looks forward to using his expertise in land use and government relations to assist the organization. “Douglas County has a reputation for its business-friendly market and top rankings in education, health, wealth and government investment in public safety. As a real estate and land use attorney, I look forward to supporting the EDC’s work to foster the continued growth and economic vitality of Douglas County.”
