URBAN ECOSYSTEMS - Key Persons
Bryan is a passionate designer with over 15 years of experience in stormwater design and restoration ecology. His projects explore the critical role of plants in the landscape from the microbiological level to the regional scale. Using time as a lens, his work explores how plant communities and ecosystems change over time and the role of humans in shaping that change. As an artist, Bryan uses macro photography as a tool to uncover subtle details and hidden elements within the landscape and bring them to the fore. Bryan graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Science.
Dakota creates outdoor spaces that regenerate local ecologies as well as the human spirit. As a landscape designer, Dakota develops form and aesthetics for naturalistic landscapes while promoting reciprocal ecological relationships. In his free time Dakota enjoys being outside; skateboarding, playing with his pets, and camping. Dakota graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture, and a Minor in Ecological Restoration.
Job Titles:
- Principal Landscape Architect and a Professor
John Koepke is our Principal Landscape Architect and a Professor of Landscape Architecture in the College of Design at the University of Minnesota and the Department's former chair. He has over thirty years professional experience in urban design, the planning and design of education centers, zoological gardens, interpretative centers for Native American sites, and community design workshops. His research interest focuses on culture and ecology in Native American and other communities. He currently oversees our design studio, creating dramatic drawings and visual communication, and innovative planting design and construction details.
Michael is passionate about plants, water, and how people interact with them. His knowledge of natural processes inspire the creation of dynamic gardens, landscapes, and green infrastructure systems. As Director of Design, Michael leads our site design projects and manages our field operations. Michael holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Landscape Architecture from the University of Minnesota.
Ryan is a registered landscape architect with a passion for modernism and bold design. Ryan came to Urban Ecosystems after 11 years with Oslund and Associates (Now O2 Design). At O2, he designed and managed projects ranging from rooftop gardens to 600 acre corporate campuses. Now at Urban Ecosystems, Ryan leads the process of developing elegant design solutions to complex projects. His ability to collaborate with both design professionals and contractors on any scale allows him to embrace any design challenge. Ryan has a sleek and minimalist design sensibility. He seeks simple, elegant, and lasting solutions to the complex questions that landscape projects pose. Ryan holds a Bachelors degree from Bethel University, and a Masters in Landscape Architecture from the University of Minnesota. He lives in Minnetonka with his wife Joanna, sons Jake and Javi, and dogs Dori and Senior.