Our Firm

LJM Design Group is a seasoned yet innovative firm that is widely experienced in all facets of landscape architecture, environmental design, and planning. LJM clientele span both sides of the state line with an emphasis on creating livable and sustainable environments in our unique Sierra environment.

Our projects include community, municipal, institutional, resort, commercial, and multi-residential projects that have involved master plans, streetscape design, feasibility studies, site and land-planning, landscape design, water quality improvements and environmental enhancement programming.

Established in 1993 in Truckee, California, LJM Design Group is a woman-owned-corporation.

Our Services

We Offer Comprehensive Planning and Design for a Wide Variety of Projects Including:

Urban Plazas, and Streetscapes
Historic Landscapes for Urban Redevelopment
Public-use, Recreation and Resort Design
Planned Community Development
Custom Residential Design
Municipal Master-Planning and Design for Hospitals,

Community Colleges, and Federal Installations

Transportation Enhancements including Bike Trails, Street Frontage Improvements, Roundabouts, and Gateway Enhancements
Water Quality, LID Solutions, BMP Retrofits, Revegetation, and

Erosion Control Improvement Projects

Community Presentations and Agency Processing

Who We Are

Laura J. Mello, rla

Principal Landscape Architect

Registration Landscape Architect: California, #3828, Nevada, #423

Education University of California, Berkeley (1981)

Bachelor of Arts - Landscape Architecture

Professional Experience

Ms. Mello has gained experience through a variety of projects over her tenure in the Sierra Nevada region. Laura has a demonstrated commitment to the Truckee, Lake Tahoe, and the Northern Nevada community. She holds a keen sensitivity to the surrounding region and our needs for safety, comfort and a cohesive connection to nature. In addition to her care and stewardship of the sensitive Truckee/Tahoe environment and water quality, Laura has spearheaded creative solutions to TRPA’s Best Management Practices, has developed guidelines and practices used in Scenic Quality Review, and is tireless in her efforts to preserve the sensitive beauty of our region. Laura’s breadth of expertise encompasses an in-depth knowledge of the local and state agency process, regional and resort community design, developing and facilitating community collaboration and consensus building with clients, agencies, stakeholders and the public.

Laura is very involved in her local community as an active volunteer with a wide variety of interests including working on the development of the first Truckee General Plan, a founding board member of the Truckee Trails Foundation, and as a member of the advisory committee for the Truckee River Legacy Trail, and the initial Leadership Chair for the Queen of Hearts Foundation. Laura enjoys the Sierra environs and local community with her family.