Richie-Bray Landscape Architecture

Deborah’s passion of gardens began at an early age; she has fond memories of working in the rose garden with her father in Kentucky. Deborah was recently awarded the honor of transforming the Rose Garden at the South Coast Botanical Gardens. “I’m thrilled to create something spectacular for the community to enjoy with the roses.” The South Coast Botanical Rose Garden will show off the diversity of the rose within multi-garden rooms; formal, modern, and natural garden settings.

Deborah Richie-Bray

“The land and architecture speak to me.” Deborah translates her passion into creating outdoor environments that include: pools, spas, fire pits, fireplaces, and water features. We’re creating outdoor living rooms for entertainment or family gatherings; her outdoor environment designs surpass clients expectations.

Deborah formed her own Company, Richie-Bray, Inc. in 2004, and has been designing gardens over 25 years. Diversity of design styles come from many years of design on both the east and west coast. Mediterranean design expertise was developed while working on the renovation of the Getty Villa in Malibu and many years working on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Grounded in the land from Kentucky, Deborah has developed a more formal east coast style from working on large horse farms; included in her portfolio the renowned Calumet Farm.

Deborah offers diversity and experience that encompasses commercial to residential properties. Currently Deborah is involved in numerous projects throughout the L.A. area. On the cutting edge to meet new environmental laws and requirements, Deborah is able to achieve city and code requirements while providing beautiful low maintenance foliage rich in texture and color. Deborah is aware of the low water problems of Southern California. She provides new reclaimed water techniques and plantings that offer positive cost savings for the client with low impact on the environment. Lecturing on low water gardens and fire prevention is another way that Deborah contributes to the community of garden enthusiasts.

Deborah is a multi-award winning Landscape Architect and Certified National Women Owned business. In addition to her Landscape Architect business, Deborah Richie-Bray finds time to give back to her community. Deborah is currently the chair of the Palos Verdes Estates Parkland Committee, and has been a member of this committee for the past six years. She is the past President of the Palos Verdes Junior Women’s Club, whose mission was women supporting women and children in crisis in the South Bay.

Rory Patrick Sheehan, Landscape Architect Project Manager - PLA, ASLA

Rory Patrick Sheehan is a licensed Landscape Architect who has been working with Richie-Bray, Inc. on large scale residential and commercial projects in Palos Verdes and Catalina Island since 2019. He was born in Southern California and raised on a farm where his Irish immigrant parents instilled in him a love for the land and all natural things. This love of the land directed him to Cal Poly Pomona where in 1992 he received his bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture. This degree paved the road to employment with The Nature Conservancy where he worked for 5 years on the rewarding Sacramento River Restoration Project. Following his time at The Nature Conservancy he spent a two year stint with a licensed Landscape Architect in Chico California where he gained valuable practical experience working on residential and commercial projects. Completion of his master’s degree in Art Direction and TV production from San Diego State in 2000 led to a 20 year career in television production. However, Rory’s passion for nature and the profession of Landscape Architecture never faded so in 2017 he decided to leave TV behind and realign his path back to the profession by enrolling in the UCAL Landscape Architecture program. At UCLA he received the ASLA Honor Award of Academic Achievement, a Student of The Year award, two Director Awards of Service, five Honor Awards, a Merit Award and the Joseph H. Linesch Scholarship. Rory is currently an active board member of Southern California Executive Committee of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) as well as a delegate for the California Chapter of the ASLA where he works with lobbyists in Sacramento.