About
With nearly 17 years of experience in landscape architecture, I’ve worked on projects ranging from private terraces in New York to urban plazas and public parks across the country. My work is guided by a deep appreciation for place and a commitment to design that is thoughtful, innovative, and rooted in context.
My career began with an internship in Rancho Mirage and a graduate thesis addressing urban watershed challenges in San Diego. I later joined Ken Smith Workshop, contributing to the Orange County Great Park and cultural projects in New York, including the Arts Plaza at the Theater for a New Audience in the BAM Cultural District. At SiteWorks, I supported the construction of Governors Island Park, and at Deborah Nevins & Associates, I led residential and institutional projects with a focus on design excellence and detail.
In 2017, I co-founded Nevins Benito Landscape Architecture, where I helped shape transformative projects such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston campus expansion. Most recently, as a Senior Design Principal at Kounkuey Design Initiative, a nonprofit design and planning firm, I worked on equity-focused and climate-responsive projects throughout Southern California, including the Pacoima Wash Greenway and the Eastern Coachella Valley Shade Equity Bus Shelter Prototype.
A Registered Landscape Architect in New York and California, fluent in Spanish, and recognized by ASLA as an emerging Latino American professional, I bring reliability, creativity, and care to every project. Now based in Palm Springs, I’m building an independent practice centered on meaningful work that reflects my values of social equity, environmental stewardship, and quality. This new chapter begins with the Tahquitz Creek Golf Neighborhood Gateway—a community-driven project that seeks to create a more welcoming, ecologically sensitive entry to a historic midcentury neighborhood.
Contact
Professional Experience
Founder, Mario Benito Landscape Architect, Palm Springs, California, 2023 -
Founder and Principal of an independent landscape architecture practice focused on site-specific, design-forward projects. Current work includes the gateway landscape project for the Tahquitz Creek Golf Neighborhood in Palm Springs. Grounded in values of social equity, environmental stewardship, and style, the studio offers thoughtful design solutions that reflect a deep appreciation for place and community.
Historic Tahquitz Creek Golf Neighborhood Gateway, Palm Springs, CA
Melrose Residence, Los Angeles, CA
Atwater Residence, Los Angeles, CA
Rooftop Terrace, Jersey City, NJ
Partner, Nevins & Benito Landscape Architecture, D.P.C., New York, NY, 2017 -
NBLA, collaborated with Deborah Nevins & Associates, on the campus expansion and restoration of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Featured in Architect Magazine, August, 2018.
64 University Place with KPF, New York City
Senior Design Principal, Kounkuey Design Initiative, Coachella & Los Angeles, CA, 2021 - 2023
Pacoima Wash Gateway and Greenway, Pacoima, CA
Safe Place for Youth: Venice Oasis, Venice, CA
Shade Equity Bus Shelter Prototype, Oasis, CA. Featured on NBC Palm Springs and in the Desert Sun.
Crenshaw Affordable Housing, Los Angeles, CA; in collaboration with Designing Justice +Designing Spaces
Feasibility Study for The California Endowment, Los Angeles, CA; in collaboration with Designing Justice +Designing Spaces
Desert Lakeshore: Environmental Education Site Concept, Thermal, CA; for Friends of the Desert Mountains with the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians
Associate, Deborah Nevins & Associates, New York, NY, 2014 -
Washington Residence, CT; worked with G. P. Schafer Architect on historic 18th century property.
East Hampton Residence, NY; collaborated with Peter Marino Architect on remodel of oceanfront residence.
Block Island Residence, RI; worked with G. P. Schafer Architect on multi-structure estate.
Malibu Residence, CA; worked with Robert A. M. Stern Architects on addition to oceanfront family compound.
Shelburne Residence, VT; with G. P. Schafer Architect involved in all aspects of landscape design for lakefront estate. Featured in Architectural Digest, July, 2021, and Veranda Magazine, November, 2019.
Bel Air Residence, CA; with Appleton Partners, LLC. managed construction observation and document production. Featured in Architectural Digest, October, 2016.
East Hampton Residence, NY; with G. P. Schafer Architect involved in construction observation, planting installations and overall project management.
Hunting Lodge, GA; Project Manager; with G. P. Schafer Architect restoration of historic 5,000 acre hunting property. Featured in Veranda Magazine, February, 2020.
Project Manager, SiteWorks Landscape Architecture, New York, NY, 2012 - 2014
Governors Island Park and Public Space, New York, NY; Owner’s Representative, involved in the quality assurance of paving installations, park signage and planting materials.
Associate, Ken Smith Landscape Workshop, New York, NY, 2007 - 2012
International Garden Show 2013, Hamburg, Germany; Project Manager; schematic design through costing and construction documents, for garden representing the United States.
Design Waller Creek Competition, Austin, TX; Project Coordinator; liaison for interdisciplinary nationwide team for the proposed revitalization of an urban stream and greenway.
Brooklyn Academy of Music Cultural District Streetscape, Arts Plaza, and South Plaza, Brooklyn, NY; Project Manager; schematic design through construction; lead junior team members in construction document production, agency submissions and custom furnishings development.
Minneapolis Riverfront Design Competition, Minneapolis, MN; Project Manager; coordinated multiple submissions and presentations for finalist ranking competition entry.
Great Park Preview Park Signage and Wayfinding System, Irvine, CA; Project and Production Designer; schematic design through implementation. Winner of a 2009 ASLA Professional Award.
Orange County Great Park Master Plan, Irvine, CA; Design Team Member; created renderings, plans, and document layouts; mentored staff in creating graphic exhibits. Winner of a 2008 ASLA Professional Award.
Education
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA; Master of Landscape Architecture, 2007
Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA; Bachelor of Fine Art - Environmental Arts, 1997
Honors
ASLA Merit Award, Outstanding Academic Achievement, Cal Poly University, Pomona, CA, 2007
Academic
Guest Lecturer, Penn State University, State College, PA
Guest Studio Critic, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Guest Studio Critic, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
SOCIAL
Instagram.com/mario_benito_landscape_arch
© Mario Benito 2025
Logo Design: Waterhouse Cifuentes Design
