Sergio Lima studied architecture in Italy, where he became fascinated by the fluid quality of the design of outdoor spaces and the endless possibilities offered by plants in shaping the landscape around us. After a brief work experience in Madrid (Spain) with the International Council on Monuments and Sites in 1998 and a year of studies in landscape architecture at UBC, in Vancouver, Canada, he moved to San Francisco in 2002 and joined SWA. Sergio has worked on many projects in the US, Canada, UAE, China and Japan. Since 2016, he has taught and authored several courses on planting design and the history of landscape architecture at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

The design of the landscape is a multifaceted process that involves a deep understanding of each site and a capacity to funnel and incorporate the contribution of other disciplines. Much of Sergio’s design attention has been directed at the use of planting material, and in working on projects in different parts of the world, he has developed substantial knowledge of plants from different climates and environments. There always must be an element of poetry in design, and to Sergio, planting design is its most inspiring part. A good planting design must deliver a true moment of joy for the spirit and the senses, and leave any visitor with a desire for more.