Team

The Studio

TGDA thrives because of our highly collaborative and supportive design studio culture. TGDA’s Design for Life ethic, which creates beautiful, iconic public spaces to promote healthy living, is infused into every aspect of our practice. Our thoughtfully selected and professionally trained staff share capabilities and interests to support growth, creativity, success and a healthy lifestyle, both in and out of the office. We design to connect people with vibrant and ecologically thriving places in local neighborhoods, regionally celebrated open spaces, and campuses and estates, for the benefit of our diverse clients and their communities.

Given the significance and scale of our projects, TGDA collaborates closely with clients and design teams, providing direction and vision to integrate natural systems for buildings and sites. TGDA’s unique niche has developed as a result of our leadership and innovation in the design field, which has enabled us to attract a diverse, accomplished talent pool to Chicago. Our open studio space encourages interaction, drawing, and the testing of a range of ideas, which consistently flow through the office. Our team practices with a passion for connecting people with nature through the development of diverse landscape solutions that emphasize our "Design for Life" approach.

Terry Guen, SITES AP, FASLA

Principal and Founder

Terry’s 30 year practice, has brought ecology back to communities through high-profile technical landscape and urban design. This is the backbone of TGDA’s practice. Terry is mentor to TGDA staff and clients, with leadership vision and know-how, she has led the transformation of important public landscapes in major US cities, changing the way we think about nature and public places. Terry is designer of countless vital, iconic, cultural, ecological public spaces, which have improved the quality of life in local communities. As part of TGDA’s Common Good initiatives, Terry has served since 2011 as Presidential appointee to the Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and 2015 as Regional advisor for Cook County Forest Preserves and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.