Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Prange
Hi Ryan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Falling Waters started in 2007 as a 1 person pond-building company and quickly evolved into a design-build landscape studio focusing on residential landscapes for those wanting a uniquely modern and climate-appropriate spaces to relax and entertain.
We want our spaces to be approachable and we try to make the process fun and relaxing for our clients. We offer a wide range of services, and will be “all things to all people”. We keep the company small, focused on relationships, and enjoy what we do every day.
We believe that harmony between Home and Land can be achieved no matter what the style may be. We believe this harmony is integral to the health and beauty of our environment. We believe in simple, honest materials and uncluttered plant palettes. We believe that sustainability is a balancing act with practicality… and budgets. We believe in hospitality and making guests in our spaces walk away feeling good. We believe landscapes – and the homes they surround – are meant to be lived in, used and designed to grow with families.
We believe in taking care of our people, our clients, and our community. We believe that an experience in nature can be transformative – and necessary. We believe in quality workmanship, attention to detail, staying curious, creating relationships – and making people and plants happy.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a business in 2007 was probably not the best time, however over the years it turned into a blessing. I recall someone telling me mid 2008 that if I can stay in business through this period (great recession) of time that we would be just fine moving forward.
We have had many struggles over the years. We’ve been targeted by competitors, stolen from by employees, issues with client, issues with client’s neighbors, workman’s comp claims, audits, you name it. Through it all we stand by our morals, values and do our best to maintain our integrity.
Owning a business is not easy, but it has many benefits and, at the end of the day, is very rewarding.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We specialize in residential landscape design. I think we are known for our unique, approachable and clean style. We used to create more “modern” style landscapes and have since settled into a warmer and more site-specific approach to each project.
I’m most proud of paying my employees well, with benefits and a 401k plan.
I think what sets us apart is our size and that we do landscape design and Architecture AND we can then build it for you. Most others do one or the other, but there are only a few companies in the San Diego area that do both at the level we do.
We have a talented team of designers and skilled craftsmen (2o employees) and an arsenal of sub-contractors that we use repeatedly to accomplish our projects.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Work/life balance.
We are in the business of creating spaces to enjoy life, food, people, views, nature, play, etc. If we don’t do the same thing in our personal lives, how can we possibly create it for others?
We have a flexible office schedule and the whole design and office team has flexible fridays. We routinely take field trips and I encourage as many vacations as possible.
To design and create takes energy. That energy has to be refilled. We all have our ways of doing that… I just so happen to believe that travel, food, and experiences are the best ways to refill your creative cup.
Pricing:
- Design fees are typical 5-8% of build costs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fallingwaterslandscape.com
- Instagram: @fallingwaterslandscape
Image Credits
Its misc photos, we own them all.
