We recently had the chance to connect with Yura Lotonenko and have shared our conversation below.
Yura, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I’m most proud of building the invisible framework behind every landscape we design at LASD Studio.
Most people see the plants, the stonework, the water features — the visible beauty. But what they don’t see are the deep systems beneath the surface: soil regeneration strategies, precise water usage calculations, fire-safe zones, and even ecological mapping that ensures every design supports pollinators, birds, and wildlife.
These are the “hidden layers” — the unseen architecture that makes a landscape thrive not just today, but for decades. It’s the work nobody notices at first glance, but it’s what allows a garden to breathe, evolve, and sustain life.
That invisible foundation is what I’m most proud of — because when nature flourishes quietly, without anyone needing to think about it, that’s when design has truly succeeded.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi Everyone!
My name is Yura Lotonenko, and I’m the founder and principal designer of LASD Studio. We are a boutique landscape architecture atelier with roots in San Diego and Spain, creating landscapes that are more than just beautiful spaces — they are living, evolving systems.
What makes us unique is the way we combine art, ecology, and technology. From private gardens and estates in Rancho Santa Fe and La Jolla to community parks and HOA transformations, we design with both creativity and precision. Every project is custom-tailored, weaving together biodiversity, water efficiency, fire safety, and cultural identity.
I started LASD Studio from a simple belief: landscapes should not just look good today — they should thrive for generations. That means rethinking how we design: integrating soil regeneration, wildlife support, and advanced 3D systems that help clients see and trust the process.
Right now, we’re working on projects in Southern California and Spain, and my vision is to grow LASD Studio into a global atelier shaping meaningful landscapes that restore ecology, inspire people, and leave a legacy.
Learn more at www.lasdstudio.com
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One of the moments that shaped how I see the world goes back to my childhood in Ukraine, watching my grandfather work. He was a geodesist and garden planner, and I remember him sitting at his desk, drafting orchards and plantations by hand with incredible precision. Outside, his forty beehives were alive with activity, pollinating fruit trees and berry shrubs.
I didn’t realize it then, but those early memories taught me that landscapes are not just scenery — they’re living systems, interconnected and always evolving. The bees, the soil, the trees, the people caring for them — everything was part of a larger cycle.
That experience shaped the foundation of LASD Studio. It’s why I design with the mindset that landscapes must serve both people and nature, not just in the moment, but for decades to come.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most is not reaching my full potential for self-realization during my lifetime. I’ve always felt a responsibility to use my creativity and vision to make something meaningful — not just for myself, but for others and for the environment.
That fear still drives me today, but in a positive way. It pushes me to keep evolving, to take risks, and to create landscapes that go beyond trends — spaces that heal, inspire, and will outlast me.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The cultural value I protect at all costs is integrity. For me, it means being true to the land, to the people I design for, and to myself.
In landscape architecture, it’s easy to follow trends or cut corners, but integrity is about holding on to the deeper purpose — creating places that respect ecology, honor history, and serve future generations. Even when it takes more time or effort, I’d rather stand by that principle than deliver something that doesn’t align with my values.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people may misunderstand my legacy by seeing it only as creating beautiful gardens or landscapes. The truth is, what I’m building with LASD Studio is much deeper — it’s about reshaping how we understand the relationship between people, ecology, and place.
The visible outcome may be stone paths, trees, or plazas, but the real legacy is the invisible systems: restored soils, thriving biodiversity, reduced water use, and a mindset shift toward treating landscapes as living, evolving organisms.
If someone looks back and only sees the aesthetics, they’ll miss the essence. My hope is that over time, people will recognize that the beauty was always a doorway into something larger — a sustainable, resilient future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lasdstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lasd_studio/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lasdstudio/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LASDStudio
Image Credits
LASD studio: Landscape Architecture, Sustainability & Design
