Crafting authentic, drought-resilient California gardens through a timeless synthesis of design and ecology
We believe every home has a unique relationship with its land, climate, and daily life. Through a holistic, systems-based design approach, we create resilient, drought-tolerant landscapes that feel natural and personal—integrating smart water use, fire-conscious strategies, and ecologically grounded planting to support both the environment and the people who call it home.
Meet The Team
Te-Hsuan Fred Liao
Design Director
Fred designs private gardens that feel grounded, natural, and easy to live with. He takes a thoughtful, research-driven approach to understanding each site’s land, climate, and character, shaping outdoor spaces that respond intuitively to daily life in California. His work focuses on clear, well-considered frameworks—so gardens grow gracefully over time and remain comfortable, resilient, and timeless.
Fred holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, where his work was recognized with academic honors and design awards for its environmental focus. A licensed landscape architect in multiple states and a LEED Accredited Professional, he brings deep sustainability knowledge into every project. His published writing on landscape systems and water-wise strategies reflects the same care found in his residential work—designing gardens that support both the land and the people who live in it.
Kit Shih-Ting Wang
Project Director
Kit brings clarity, care, and technical confidence to the design of private gardens. Drawing on her multidisciplinary background in architecture, landscape architecture, and planning, she helps translate design vision into practical, buildable outdoor spaces that feel cohesive, balanced, and easy to live with.
Kit holds a Master of Landscape Architecture and a Master of City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley, along with a Bachelor of Architecture. She is a LEED Accredited Professional, reflecting her commitment to sustainable and responsible design. With a strong understanding of materials, detailing, and environmental systems, Kit focuses on creating ecologically thoughtful, drought-resilient gardens that integrate contemporary design with the everyday needs of California homeowners.
Maggie Kao
Project Director
Maggie brings creativity, care, and a global perspective to every garden she helps shape. She supports residential projects from early concepts through construction, helping ensure each landscape is thoughtful, buildable, and well-suited to the home, site, and way it will be used.
With a background in architecture and landscape architecture, and professional experience in both California and Asia, Maggie blends design clarity with environmental responsibility. She is especially drawn to moments of transition—paths, edges, and places to pause—shaping private gardens that feel personal, grounded, and easy to live with over time
Services
Design & Delivery
Concept Design
Master Planning
Construction Drawings
Permit Coordination
Construction Oversight
California-Specific Strategies
Drought-Tolerant Planting
Water-Wise Design (LID)
Fire-Conscious Landscapes
Native & Habitat-Supporting Gardens
Outdoor Living & Spatial Design
Hillside & Sloped Sites
Terraced Gardens & Views
Pools, Spas & Courtyards
Roof Gardens & Seating Areas
Naturalized Drainage
Our Story
Team Plateau grew from a shared love of gardens and a respect for the land they sit on. Our team came together through years of designing and studying landscapes in different places, but we found common ground in California—where climate, terrain, and daily life ask more of outdoor spaces. We believe the best gardens start with listening: to the site, to the seasons, and to the people who will live with the space every day. Each project is an opportunity to slow down, observe, and design with care—creating private gardens that feel comfortable, resilient, and quietly beautiful over time.
As a team within PLAT Studio, Team Plateau brings together experience in landscape architecture, architecture, and planning, applying the same care and environmental responsibility to intimate, residential settings.