Meet Gregory Rusnica, Senior Landscape Architect at Bonin Architects & Associates. Greg has been an invaluable member of our team since 2011, contributing his expertise to numerous projects over the years. Clients particularly value his thoughtful insights when integrating natural landscapes and native plants into designs.
Greg earned a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Rhode Island in 2005. He is also an active member of the Granite State Landscape Architects (GSLA) and serves on the NH Licensing Board for Landscape Architects. He is licensed in both NH and VT.
Let’s get to know Greg on a more personal level as we ask him questions about landscape design.
How did you first get interested in landscape architecture, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?
When I got to college as a history major, a peculiar choice looking back, I took an introductory Landscape Architecture class to fulfill a general education requirement. It became clear as day to me that this was what I should be doing. It was a blend of things I had naturally gravitated toward growing up: design, art, construction, farming, and the outdoors. I was fortunate to be accepted into the small program at URI starting my sophomore year.
Can you walk us through your design philosophy? How do you approach new landscape projects?
I think it’s a philosophy of treading lightly on the land and letting it inform your decisions… Identifying what the best quality of a site is and building off of that while fulfilling the program goals. Stewardship is definitely front of mind as is creating a sense of place.
You’ve been with Bonin Architects for over 13 years, what’s something you’ve learned working here over that period?
Lots of architectural jargon! On a more serious note, trust your instincts. Design is design. Even if something is not your specialty, it doesn’t mean you can’t contribute a great idea. In a small firm you get the chance to wear a lot of hats. Embrace it. If you think something looks good, chances are someone else does too.
Do you have any favorite native plants that you like to incorporate into landscape designs?
A native I like to use is winterberry (Ilex verticillata). It’s a larger deciduous shrub, densely branched, with an abundance of red berries that persist into early winter after all the leaves have fallen. It offers interest at a time of year when not much else catches your eye. It’s great in wetland or rain garden settings and keeps the resident birds fed during the winter.
I also love bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). It’s a woody, broad-leaved, evergreen groundcover that creeps and spills over rocks. It has small red berries, and the leaves turn a bronzy shade in the winter.
What are your hobbies outside of landscape architecture?
Outside of work, I telemark ski every winter weekend and enjoy traveling to new places to ski. In the fair-weather months, I like golfing, hiking, running with my dog, and paddleboarding. I also enjoy visiting historic estates and gardens. I find them inspiring.
Check out an example of Greg’s landscape designs below:
