“As landscape architects, our goal is to create communities with a strong sense of place. The question we always come back to is, ‘Through our design, how can we improve quality of life in a memorable way?'" - Shawn Massock, RLA, Pape-Dawson’s Vice President of Planning & Landscape Architecture in Austin.

Pape-Dawson’s landscape architects understand that their work is not just about beautification, it’s also a powerful tool for resilience, livability, and community identity, especially in high-growth areas like Central Texas.

Deerbrooke, a master-planned community in Leander, just north of Austin, showcases how the team’s work is helping shape what modern, sustainable neighborhood development looks like.

A Case Study in Cohesive Community Design: Deerbrooke

As part of Phase 2 of the Deerbrooke project, Pape-Dawson (as 7gen Planning) provided landscape architecture services to maintain visual continuity and enhance public spaces throughout the community.

The firm tied the new planting and hardscape design into the aesthetic of the existing recreation center, expanding upon the Phase 1 palette while ensuring visual cohesion. New features—such as the community roundabout and open space reserves—were built with complementary materials and native vegetation to create a powerful sense of place for residents.

A standout community feature is the creekside limestone bridge, where the team married form and function. Native planting, custom stone columns, and thoughtfully integrated fencing create natural pause points for residents walking the sidewalks or enjoying the adjacent trail system.

Pape-Dawson also provided a conceptual design for a park and trail system that runs through a greenbelt created by the creek, linking residents to parks and amenities throughout the neighborhood. This system is not only practical—it exemplifies the firm’s philosophy of designing spaces that connect people with place.

Meeting Today’s Challenges Through Landscape Architecture

The Deerbrooke project reflects an overarching philosophy in Pape-Dawson’s landscape architecture practice: designing with intention to address today’s urban and environmental challenges.

• Resiliency
• Housing Shortages
• Resistance to Growth
• Navigating a Shifting Policy Landscape

“These days, there’s a stronger focus on resilient design–strategically planning to reduce the impact of stormwater, flooding, wildfires, and strong winds,” explains Shawn.

Whether it's reinforcing infrastructure in storm-prone areas or integrating natural mitigation features, resiliency is a critical element of effective, lasting designs.

With the U.S. facing an acute housing shortage, landscape architects play an integral part in making neighborhoods livable and human-centered.

“It’s not only about how many homes we can build,” says Shawn. “It’s about the experience—what it looks like, how it feels to live there. That’s how we define success.” At Deerbrooke, thoughtful planning turned required open spaces into meaningful assets for residents.

In some areas, growth can spark controversy. Landscape architects play a crucial role in educating communities about smart growth, integrating housing, recreation, and green infrastructure in ways that avoid sprawl while honoring a community’s character and meeting the demand for more homes.

With federal funding cuts and evolving state-level legislation, uncertainty looms in the development space. But in pro-growth states like Texas, there's increasing support for private development. Landscape architects must remain nimble and strategic, balancing policy, people, and place.

“Landscape architecture does more than beautify—it shapes how communities grow, connect, and thrive,” says Shawn. “At Deerbrooke, we designed with intention to make every space—from the entry roundabout to the open reserves—feel like home.”

A Discipline Rooted in People and Place

Despite its technical nature, landscape architecture remains deeply human. “Every site is unique,” expresses Shawn. “Landscape architecture is holistic. A thoughtful design considers the land itself, how it will be used, and those who interact with it.”

Pape-Dawson’s landscape architects are proud to help communities rise to today’s challenges while remaining grounded in timeless values: sustainability, connection, and the feeling of home.

Rooted in Austin, Growing Beyond

Projects like Deerbrooke reflect how Pape-Dawson is helping shape the future of Central Texas—thoughtfully, sustainably, and with people at the center. In a region defined by rapid growth and evolving needs, Austin continues to be a proving ground for innovative landscape architecture that balances progress with place.

As the city expands, Pape-Dawson’s landscape architects remain committed to designing spaces that reflect the spirit of Austin—resilient, connected, and undeniably local.