Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Landscape Architecture & Construction Experts in Boulder
Marpa is a distinguished landscape architecture and construction management firm rooted in Boulder, Colorado, with a legacy spanning over five decades. Founded in 1974 by Martin Mosko, a pioneer in Japanese garden design, our practice integrates contemplative design principles that harmonize the physical, energetic, and metaphysical aspects of landscapes. We specialize in creating spaces that reflect our clients' visions while honoring the natural environment, from intimate residential gardens to expansive public and private estates. Our process emphasizes collaboration with skilled artisans and project teams to ensure ecological functionality, architectural integration, and artistic innovation.With a commitment to excellence, we guide projects from concept to completion, prioritizing quality control, transparent budgets, and schedules. Our work transcends aesthetics, aiming to restore habitat, celebrate natural materials, and foster mindfulness through design. Recognized for technical mastery and artistry, we continue to push boundaries in landscape architectural innovation while maintaining a client-centered approach that values care, creativity, and enduring relationships.
Services
Landscape Architecture
Construction Management
Contemplative Design
Garden Restoration
Site Analysis
Permit Assistance
Custom Hardscaping
Planting Design
3D Modeling
Maintenance Planning
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- We offer 50+ years of expertise in contemplative landscape design and construction.
- Our team includes certified landscape architects with specialized training in Japanese garden design.
- We integrate ecological functionality and architectural harmony into every project.
- Our process ensures transparent budgets, quality control, and client collaboration from concept to completion.
- We have designed and built hundreds of award-winning projects across the U.S.
What people say
Unparalleled artistry
Thoughtful designs
On-time delivery
Collaborative approach
Stunning results
Services
Landscape Architecture
Marpa specializes in creating landscapes that blend contemplative design with ecological functionality. Our approach integrates the physical, energetic, and metaphysical aspects of a site to produce spaces that reflect client vision and environmental harmony. With expertise in both residential and commercial projects, we deliver designs that restore habitat, celebrate natural materials, and foster mindfulness through artful spatial relationships.
Construction Management
As a design-build firm, Marpa manages every phase of construction to ensure quality, transparency, and adherence to budgets. Our team collaborates directly with artisans and crews to translate designs into built environments, emphasizing innovation and precision. This hands-on approach guarantees that artistic intent is preserved while meeting technical and logistical challenges during installation.
Contemplative Design
Rooted in Japanese garden traditions, our contemplative design process focuses on proportion, spatial harmony, and sensory engagement. We analyze natural elements like light, wind, and drainage to create dynamic balances between landscapes and their surroundings. This philosophy results in spaces that promote mindfulness, connecting users to history, community, and the environment through intentional design.
Custom Hardscaping
Marpa crafts bespoke hardscape elements, including water features, fire pits, and stone installations. Our artisans use materials like sand-finished concrete, live-edge wood, and custom metalwork to create durable, aesthetically striking components. These features enhance functionality while maintaining the organic integrity of the landscape, ensuring seamless integration with natural surroundings.
Planting Design
Our planting designs prioritize native and adaptive species to ensure ecological resilience and seasonal beauty. We tailor plant selections to site-specific conditions, creating vibrant, low-maintenance gardens that evolve with the environment. By balancing aesthetics and sustainability, we foster biodiversity and long-term landscape health while aligning with client preferences for color, texture, and form.
People
Martin Mosko
Founder
Martin Mosko, founder of Marpa, trained in Japanese garden design and practiced contemplative landscape architecture for 35 years. His work, recognized for artistry and technical excellence, blended Buddhist principles with Colorado's terrain. He viewed himself as both monk and gardener, leaving a legacy of harmonious, enduring landscapes.
Luke Sanzone
Principal & Owner
Luke Sanzone, a certified landscape architect, leads Marpa's design and project management. With expertise in contemplative design, he ensures client visions align with ecological and aesthetic goals. His collaborative approach and attention to detail have earned recognition for residential and commercial projects across the U.S.
Bodie Hultin
Studio Director
Bodie Hultin oversees Marpa's studio operations, guiding design innovation and team coordination. As a licensed landscape architect, he specializes in integrating technical precision with artistic vision, ensuring projects meet rigorous standards while reflecting the firm's commitment to harmony and sustainability.
Julia Dullien
Associate
Julia Dullien contributes to Marpa's design and documentation processes, focusing on ecological integration and client collaboration. Her work emphasizes sustainable practices and meticulous attention to detail, supporting the firm's mission to create landscapes that balance beauty with environmental stewardship.
Laura Baker
Project Manager
Laura Baker manages Marpa's project timelines and client communications, ensuring seamless execution from concept to completion. Her organizational skills and dedication to quality control help maintain the firm's reputation for reliability and excellence in landscape architecture and construction.
Questions
What types of projects does Marpa specialize in?
Marpa designs and builds landscapes ranging from private residential gardens to large-scale public and private estates, including botanical gardens, religious retreats, and educational campuses.
How does Marpa's contemplative design approach differ from traditional landscape architecture?
Our approach integrates physical, energetic, and metaphysical principles, emphasizing harmony with nature, sensory engagement, and mindfulness through design elements like proportion, light, and spatial balance.
Can Marpa assist with both design and construction?
Yes, as a design-build firm, we manage the entire process from concept to completion, ensuring quality control, transparent budgets, and seamless execution of our designs.
What regions does Marpa serve?
While based in Boulder, Colorado, Marpa works on projects nationwide and internationally, adapting our expertise to diverse climates and landscapes.
How does Marpa handle maintenance for completed projects?
We align designs with clients' maintenance capabilities and assemble dedicated teams to ensure long-term care, preserving the beauty and functionality of landscapes for years to come.
What awards has Marpa received?
Marpa has earned accolades including Luxe Interiors + Design Gold List recognitions, ASLA Colorado awards, and ALCC Elite Awards for residential design excellence.
Reviews (5)
Steadman Watson
Dec 07, 2019
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We hired MARPA in October 2018 for landscape architectural design and implementation management for our new home in Boulder, Colorado. Our decision to hire MARPA was based on the overall design concept and positive comments from earlier clients. Overall, we were particularly happy with the sand-finished concrete, custom spa and fire-pit areas. MARPA's implementation partner (EDI) does a great job and were on-site reliably and consistently. The perennials and trees that were delivered were all top-notch nursery stock and have grown well since the project was completed in May 2019.
Neely Hemassi
Apr 27, 2019
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I am extremely pleased with the beautiful design, landscaping and hardscaping work done by Marpa and their crews. I get compliments on their work from neighbors and guests all the time. We have a very awkward steep slope in the back and the Marpa team completely transformed it. Even though we did several walk-throughs to review the design, I have to say it was hard for me to imagine how stunning the result would be. Luke and his team are total professionals, straight forward, and have total integrity. I would recommend them to anyone for small or large jobs.
David Bachrach
Mar 30, 2018
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We've worked with Luke Sanzone for the past six years on our landscape design plan, installation and maintenance and have been extremely pleased with the outcome. The hardscape is magnificent and when dealing with living plants that don't always turn out as we had planned.he and his crew came back and fixed it. Couldn't be more pleased. David and Linda. Boulder, CO
Cynthia Dyess
Jan 11, 2018
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From initial design right through the fine details of installation Marpa performed with the highest level of expertise and professionalism. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with both Luke Sanzone and Bodie Hultin. I can recommend them without hesitation.
Ellen & Ben Kanazawa & Miller
Jun 04, 2017
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Martin was very generous in his time in agreeing to undertake a small project like ours. Not only did he design everything, he went out of his way to select the products that would work for our neighborhood and our budget. His design was so far beyond what we expected. Marpa Landscape treated us and our front yard project every bit as important as their large clients. Martin's unsurpassed vision and the ability to complete any type of architectural project they accept with full integrity is what keeps clients returning to Marpa Landscape Architecture and Construction.
