Terra firma landscape architecture has been established in Portsmouth, NH and serving the Seacoast New Hampshire, Maine, and southern New England since 1993. We specialize in landscape architectural aspects of site design such as urban gathering spaces and parks, custom residential projects, commercial properties of all kinds, streetscapes as green infrastructure, garden design, playgrounds and schoolyards, memorial design and landscape art.

We believe that landscapes reflect the vision and values of those that inhabit them.

The design process of terra firma landscape architecture unifies client vision, site capabilities and architectural intention, thereby creating connections that become a form of personal expression. Terra firma designs unique, meaningful, custom landscapes that are built by skilled contractors dedicated to a quality project.

This is an act of collaboration that results in a rewarding landscape experience for years.

Meet the Team

Image by Tangram 3DS

TfLA responds to the client program through our site design process as we adapt a client’s vision to the site context. All sites vary in context with most sites existing as a complex mix of natural and human forces—tangible or intangible. Patterns of human history can be seen as areas of deposition, disturbance, or settlement, and in remnant structures and maps, while natural forces can be felt in the site elements, or documented as hydrologic, topographic or vegetative patterns. Our design process looks at the site context, the spirit of place, as a source of inspiration in the development of functional forms in the landscape to achieve a client’s vision.

"I cannot give Terrence a higher recommendation!! His vision is amazing – yet he was willing to take all of our ideas into account during the project. He worked seamlessly with our architect and our builder. He was consistently on time – and designed to budget. He also managed the installation of all of the plant material and the stonework Terrence continues to be involved in the property management as the landscaping matures. I believe Terrence is one of the most talented landscape architects in all of New England. But please do not take our word for it."

—Morgan Rutman
"I can say without any hesitation that Terrence is extremely talented, easy to work with, and reasonable in cost. While pragmatic in his approach, he also brings artistic-like qualities to his design. As you may know, his design of our New Castle home was a significant reason why our gardens were features in Homes & Gardens, they also played a strong role in our house also being featured in other regional home design magazines. More importantly, he designed a landscape for us that we enjoyed immensely for many years and were sad to leave. Perhaps as greatest tribute to his work, we recently re-engaged him to do the landscape work on our renovation project in downtown Portsmouth."

— Peter Bergh
"I have known Terrence for almost 20 years and had the opportunity to use his services on more than three occasions for both residential and commercial developments. The “backyard” is a continuous open, 90-acre rolling hay field that began right off the back steps. Terrence created an entirely new environment that is nothing close to traditional however “nailed” the use, the users and the environment into a seamless experience that is original, subtle, and simple yet powerful and huge at the same time. The signature theme throughout was Terrence’s understanding and use of stone, stone elements to weave it all together. “Weave” is only one of many words I would use to describe his talent. Deeply original, artist, professional, bright – highly personable, sensitivity to the environment, the client, the use, and accountable. Passion and vision are commonly used and thrown out there however Terrence has it in his “being.” It’s just in him – not something needing to be declared or promoted."

— Todd Adelman
“Like I said, dream come true! Thank you, Terrence.”

— Vicki Stewart, Principal, The Central School
As a result of your work “these kids go into school in a better, happier place.”

— Leigh Robinson, Educator, The Central School

“Like I said, dream come true! Thank you, Terrence.”

As a result of your work “these kids go into school in a better, happier place.”