inhabitect-design

Design + Consulting

not your typical landscaper

Thoughtful Design. Lasting Impact.

At Inhabitect, we proudly stand as Michigan’s leader in delivering stormwater management and ecologically friendly landscapes. Our design and consulting services are rooted in creativity and environmental mindfulness. We approach every project with custom solutions – thoughtfully tailored to the site, our client, local or regional regulations, and its unique ecological context. 

Whether we’re developing a green stormwater infrastructure plan or dreaming up a native landscape habitat, our team works closely with both residential and commerical clients, architects, engineers, contractors, to bring our designs to life. From design concept to construction, on rooftops and at ground level, we’re your one-stop shop for sustainable, functional, and resilient landscape and land-use solutions.

Our team is committed to designing, building, and growing outdoor spaces and places that not only contribute positively to our shared future but also enhance your participation within nature. This holistic approach integrates the expertise of our design department and the hands on experience of the installation team, ensuring that each project maximizes triple-bottom-line benefits for you, your home, your place of business, and, more broadly, our community. 

DESIGN + Consulting

Ecologically Mindful Solutions

We prioritize getting to know not only the site but also your specific preferences, needs, and other project requirements or constraints. Our team excels in developing comprehensive plans that activate nature by clearly communicating site layouts, plant selections, hardscape elements, stormwater management and other crucial components such how our work will impact nearby lakes, rivers, streams, and the overall watershed. 

We have an unwavering commitment to delivering landscapes and rooftops that beat aesthetic expectations while also addressing practical considerations such as resiliency, budget constraints, adherence to local regulations, and the feasibility of efficiently constructing what is being designed.

We are happy to manage relationships with other trades people or designers, we address conflicts and plan for changing climatic or site conditions. With our experienced know-how, we guide you through this process, helping you learn new things – saving you precious time and money.

Let’s bring your project to the next level together!

Ecological landscaping facilitates stormwater management, biodiversity, air quality, and climate change resilience.

We look at the challenges of every site and offer innovative solutions to enhance both urban and rural landscapes.

We are not your typical landscaper; we use innovative tools during the land use planning process, like GIS and Drones.

We help establish an identity by providing the community with ecologically mindful solutions throughout Michigan. 

Drones expedite site analysis, reduce design costs, track project progress, and all our team to easily  showcase projects.

Pace (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Financing allows you to go green with your project using clean energy funding.

Meet Our Design Team

Nathan D. Griswold Owner and Founder of Inhabitect
Nathan D. Griswold, ASLA, GRP, CNSP

Nathan holds a bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture, is a Certified Natural Shoreline Professional, and was one of the first accredited Green Roof Professional (GRP) in North America. He is a veteran in the green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) industry, with over 24+ years of experience. He’s known for his pivotal role in design, specification and sale of over 1,000 green roofs across North America. Nathan’s expertise includes advancing GSI technology, policy driven solutions, and with a recent groundbreaking strategy to use PACE financing to fund GSI scopes of work. He has secured over $2.85 million for clients through this program and strive to ensure his team is economic, environmental, and social responsible.

Brendan A. Team Member at Inhabitect
Brendan A.

Brendan holds both a bachelor’s in Architecture and master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Kent State University, with specializations in landscape and green architectural design. His technical proficiency in CAD, GIS programs, and FAA-certified drone Piloting enhances Inhabitect’s project analysis and design capabilities. Brendan’s hands-on experience in natural shorelines, green roof installation, and hardscaping construction has honed his project detailing and planning skills, aligning with his passion for water conservation, smart urban design, and green infrastructure.

Jayly L. Team Member at Inhabitect
Jayly L., CNSP

Jayly is a dedicated horticulturist with over 10 years of green industry experience, excels in ecological design and native plant landscaping. Her expertise in Michigan native plants enables her to craft low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and wildlife-friendly landscapes that support biodiversity. Jayly’s qualifications include certification as a Certified Natural Shoreline Professional, proficiency in ‘Green’ landscaping technologies, bioengineered erosion control, and an ongoing pursuit of becoming a Michigan Certified Landscape Designer, with a Rain Garden design certificate to her name.

Zada H.

Zada is a dedicated and experienced designer with a passion for regenerative design. She holds a Master of Architecture from Kendall College of Design, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Hope College.  Zada recently transitioned into landscape design from architectural design and has worked on a wide variety of architectural project types including multi-family residential, civic, and education design. Her technical and graphic abilities with AutoCAD, the Adobe Creative Suite, 3D-modeling, and rendering enable her to deliver exciting and nformative graphics. Zada is en route for architectural licensure and is an avid reader on subjects including sustainable design, community-oriented space planning, and local history.

Design + Consulting Services

  • Landscape design and consulting
  • Green roof & blue roof design and consulting
  • Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP)
  • Land use and Site planning
  • Managing stormwater drainage issues
  • Natural shorelines / bioengineering
  • Educational programming & presentations
  • PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Financing
  • Project management & construction management
  • “General Contractor” for landscape projects
  • Landscape detailing & concepts
  • Research advising & planning
  • Industry-specific technical sales & marketing strategy
  • Zoning & ordinance review and advocacy
  • Permitting and Permitting prep
  • Specification writing, review & development
  • Policy, incentives & benefits (review and/or writing)
  • Wind design (for rooftops)
  • Budgeting, value engineering & estimating
  • Site analysis & program development (rooftop, landscape, shoreline)
  • Slopes, sun-shade patterns, microclimates, wind conditions, water requirements
  • Plant selection & sourcing
  • Warranty review & procurement
  • Growing media & soils blending
  • Maintenance planning

Accreditations & Experience

  • ASLA – American Society of Landscape Architects
  • GRP – Green Roof Professional
  • CNSP – Certified Natural Shoreline Professional
  • Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) – 20+ years in formal education and experience in the manufacturing, design, and construction of GSI technologies
  • Policy Consulting & Education – Worked with or taught people of all ages and professions in both the public and private sectors, across North America and in Bogota, Columbia
  • Research & Testing – Worked with universities and technical labs in determining solutions and best practices for green roof components, stormwater standards, and soil & wind testing
  • Green Roof Hydrology Calculations – Helped create the industry’s first stormwater hydrology calculator, which was instrumental in the development of the world’s most advanced green roof hydrology simulator, used widely in the industry today
  • Product Development – Instrumental in developing and bringing to market GardNet, a highly engineered system for installing sloped green roofs
  • Master Gardener designation
  • OSHA Certification

Let’s Talk

Design + Consulting

We’re proud to be admired as an expert among our peers and we love sharing our knowledge with those around us. Click to schedule a time to talk with us about consulting on your next project or event.