NKLA is focused on design excellence. With intent, we remain small and strive for big results. After being an “employee” for over 20 years, NKLA was founded in 2024 by registered landscape architect Nathan (Nate) Kappen, as a venue for creative pursuits, long‑term relationships and to deliver high‑quality landscape designs.

Nate has been rooted in the landscape industry since childhood. He grew up working on his grandfather’s Spokane‑based tree farm and learned strong work ethic and common sense from his dad, a general contractor. By age 16, he was managing lawn maintenance crews for multiple large commercial properties throughout the Spokane Valley. His mom always invested in his artistic side.

Nate went on to earn a degree in Landscape Architecture from Washington State University, spending summers installing and managing high end residential landscape construction crews. He also studied in Italy, focusing on art, color theory and the design of Renaissance gardens throughout Tuscany.

Immediately after graduation, Nate joined Clearwater Summit Group, Inc. as a landscape designer and project manager, gaining hands‑on experience with residential construction techniques used on award‑winning projects such as the Chicken Point Cabin by Architects Olson-Kundig. Seeking deeper design experience, Nate moved to Napa, California, where he worked on high‑end residential estates in the bay area and luxury resort planning in Spain, Chile, and Mexico under the apprenticeship of CSM Design and Charles Anderson.

Nate later relocated to Portland, Oregon, where he spent more than a decade with the nationally recognized landscape architecture firm Walker Macy. There, he contributed to complex public and private projects, collaborating with fast‑paced, integrated design and construction teams along the west coast. He led teams from concept through construction administration and was involved in project budgets ranging from pro bono efforts to over $300 million. Nate also spent some time in Germany, with the world recognized Atelier Dreiseitl.

Today, Nate leads NKLA as a boutique studio offering a streamlined, high‑quality design process. When needed, he partners with trusted sub‑consultants and colleagues to meet the demands of each project. When he’s not designing, he is maintaining operations of his other business, Ponderay Garden Center, which is led by his wife, Dana. If you are lucky, you’ll find him happy under a piece of equipment doing repairs of some kind or exploring some new design idea.

NKLA brings traditional landscape architecture practice backed by a wide range of design experience. We value collaboration, good communication, and an enjoyable process between the client, design, and construction team. We set high goals with realistic expectations—and we deliver.