Meet the Team.
Matt Phillips, PLA, ASLA, CLARB
Founding Principal
Matt is passionate about the creation and fostering of connected, healthy urban centers. He has led community initiatives to build momentum around active transportation and connectivity. Matt currently serves on the Auburn University Landscape Architecture Advisory Council, Trussville Redevelopment Authority and Trussville Design Review Board.
Matt’s role at PLOT Studio is to lead firm vision and operations as well as oversee projects from site planning, visioning, amenity design to hardscape and landscape design. His project expertise includes Public Realm, Trails and Parks, Multi-family and Senior Living, Office, Retail and Mixed-Use.
Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture and Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) from Auburn University.
Matt is currently licensed in Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kansas, Arkansas, Virginia, South Carolina and North Carolina.
Ryan Collins, PLA, ASLA, CLARB
Principal
Ryan brings over 29 years of experience in landscape architecture, urban design, and public space planning. As a recognized leader in the profession, Ryan currently serves on the Board of Directors for Sunrise Rotary, Board of Directors for Conservation Alabama and Conservation Alabama Foundation, Board of Directors for ACE Mentors of Alabama, and the Leadership Advisory Council for CLARB (Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards). Ryan is an active volunteer with Design Alabama and the Hoover Soccer Club.
Ryan’s role at PLOT Studio is to lead strategic design initiatives, mentor the next generation of landscape architects, and help guide the studio’s growing portfolio of public space, institutional and civic work.
Ryan holds a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia.
Ryan is currently licensed in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Colorado.
Mai Nguyen, PLA, ASLA
Associate
Mai is an east Birmingham, AL resident and registered landscape architect. Prior to landscape architecture, Mai worked in environmental education, food justice and community development in Louisville, KY. Her role at PLOT Studio includes concept development, hardscape and landscape design, project management and designing for inclusivity and accessibility.
Mai holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics ‘09 from Bellarmine University and a MLA ‘19 from Louisiana State University.
Mai is currently licensed in Louisiana.
Gideon Hinsch, PLA, ASLA
Landscape Architect
Gideon is a landscape architect with five years of experience in the field. They are passionate about work that pushes the boundaries of purposeful community development.
Gideon’s role at PLOT Studio is holistic, ranging from conceptual design, design development, construction documents as well as construction observation.
Gideon holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) with a minor in Horticulture from the University of Georgia.
Gideon is currently licensed in Colorado and Georgia.
Bella Zanfardino
Landscape Architectural Intern
Bella is a recent graduate of the Auburn University Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program. She is passionate about sustainable and community-based design, and learning more about the field from professionals. Her role at PLOT Studio is to assist the team in various steps of the design process and gain hands-on experience in methods of practice. Bella will attend the University of Calgary MLA program in the fall.