david hill [asla, leed ap]
founding principal
david.hill [at] hillworks.us
David is a registered architect, registered landscape architect, founder of HILLWORKS, and Associate Professor in the Graduate Landscape Architecture Program at Auburn University (not to mention a proud father of three). This rich relationship between education and practice offers a wide spectrum of opportunities for David to advance disciplinary research. Born and raised in a plant nursery in South Georgia, David developed a deep affinity for plants and an early admiration for the rich, working landscape of the south. After 15 years of experience, this fascination with cultural and productive landscapes continues to impact how David unpacks site histories and explores design opportunities.
Prior to founding HILLWORKS, David helped unearth post-industrial landscapes as an Associate, and later a Principal, of D.I.R.T studio where he managed projects such as Urban Outfitters Headquarters at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Hardberger Park in San Antonio Texas, the Historic Pabst Brewery in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and the Holy Cross Project in New Orleans Louisiana. David’s work through D.I.R.T. and HILLWORKS has received regional and national awards in design and research. David lectures regularly at universities, symposia, and conferences.
David graduated from Georgia Tech in Architecture and earned a Master in Landscape Architecture and Master in Architecture from the University of Virginia.
sadie gurkin chitty
landscape designer
sadie.chitty [at] hillworks.us
As a Birmingham native, Sadie had a front-row seat for the city’s ongoing revitalization and was struck by the impact public greenspace had in bringing life back to a hollowed-out city. She has a passion for the rich complexity of the southern landscape and for the potential of design to serve the native ecologies and local communities of this landscape. She finds herself continually enchanted by the ephemeral qualities of the landscape and the capacity of design to give legibility to these characteristics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Auburn University.
molly hendry
landscape designer
molly.hendry [at] hillworks.us
Molly’s fascination with the landscape began as a little kid rambling through the wild woods and creeks of Central Alabama. She is a plant girl who is fascinated by how we can engage the growing landscape and craft layered places that become more abundant and richer with time. Throughout her studies and career she has deepened her love of both plants and design by working hands-on in gardens and studios both nationally and across the UK. Prior to joining the HILLWORKS team, she worked at her hometown botanical garden, merging her backgrounds in both horticulture and landscape architecture to shape its future development.
In addition to her time at HILLWORKS, Molly also runs her own Garden Design studio, Roots & Ramblings, designing plant focused gardens for true hands-in-the-dirt gardeners.
rachel hamrick perez
landscape designer
rachel.perez [at] hillworks.us
Rachel’s interests in landscape architecture hinge on a life-long fascination with the way landscapes communicate cultural value. A south Alabama native, she is drawn to landscapes shaped by the tread of day-to-day living and is fascinated by the way those landscapes record histories and influence identity. She is excited to use landscape architecture to stimulate connection across a wide range of scales, ultimately encouraging social change, empathy, and resiliency.
Prior to joining Hillworks, Rachel worked on large-scale commercial, municipal, and multi-family residential projects throughout the southeast. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Auburn University.
elizabeth hill
chief everything officer + financial manager
elizabeth.hill [at] hillworks.us
Elizabeth has been with HILLWORKS since the beginning, consistently providing wisdom and financial guidance to the studio. She oversees the financial operations of the practice as well as coordinates client billing and administrative management of all HILLWORKS projects. In addition to sheparding three of the most incredible kids on the planet, Elizabeth has previous work experience with various financial planning and investment houses. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Georgia Tech.
prior HILLWORKS crew members:
Natalia Almonacid
Paulina Arango
Gabriela Arevalo
Allyssa Clements
Tatum Debardeleben
Amanda Foran
Kelly Homan
Debbie Ku
Will Nix
Alejandro Ramos
Philip Shell
Helena Starnes