63: Landscape Architecture with Michael D’Angelo, MDLA

Design Development

Michael D'Angelo, the founder of MDLA is a landscape architect and entrepreneur based in the Greater Boston area, highlighted for his expertise in various sectors including high-end single-family, corporate office, multifamily developments, and even golf course design. He is the driving force behind MDLA, a landscape architecture company with offices in Greater Boston and Connecticut. With a career that began in a blue-collar family environment, his early work experiences, such as caddying at a local golf course and maintaining a 200-acre estate, seeded his passion for landscape architecture. D'Angelo also brings valuable insights from his studies in landscape architecture and community planning at the University of Rhode Island, along with additional coursework in commercial real estate development.
In this conversation, Mike D'Angelo, the founder of MDLA , shares his journey in the architecture field and the growth of his business. He discusses his early work experience as a caddy and working on a large estate, which sparked his interest in landscape architecture. Mike talks about the challenges he faced in the industry and his decision to start his own business. He emphasizes the importance of building a portfolio and networking to grow the business. Mike also discusses trends in landscape design, his commitment to business development, and the projects he is proud of. In this conversation, Mike from MDLA discusses some of the notable projects his firm has worked on, including a golf course renovation in Florida and the Fairfield Beach Club project in Connecticut. He also shares insights into how they start conversations with clients and navigate budget discussions. The conversation highlights the differences between residential and commercial projects and the importance of understanding budget constraints. Mike also shares his future vision for MDLA and recommends the book 'Never Eat Alone' for building relationships and networking.
Takeaways

• Building a portfolio is crucial for success in the architecture field.
• Networking and building relationships are essential for business growth.
• Being adaptable and open to exploring different career paths can lead to new opportunities.
• Having mentors and seeking guidance from experienced professionals can provide valuable insights and lessons learned.
• Creating unique and innovative designs is important in the competitive landscape architecture industry. MDLA has worked on notable projects such as a golf course renovation in Florida and the Fairfield Beach Club project in Connecticut.
• When starting a conversation with a new client, MDLA focuses on understanding the client's program and preferences before presenting three or four design concepts.
• For residential projects, MDLA

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