With an extensive career spanning leadership roles in landscape architecture, planning, research, and management, Allyson is uniquely positioned to focus on the pressing needs of practice within Sasaki’s diverse design ecosystem. Her new position unifies teams across Professional Practice, Digital Practice, Information Systems, Fabrication Studio, and Library + Archives, all with the goal of empowering project teams and designers to deliver their best work.

Enabling Integrated Design Practice

At the core of Allyson’s vision is a belief that great design emerges when teams have access to the right resources and when operational processes are streamlined to support creativity and efficiency. Her background as a licensed landscape architect with experience in leading complex, large-scale, multidisciplinary projects gives her a deep understanding of the challenges her Sasaki colleagues face in their work–and where the Practice Resources team can offer specialized expertise to the firm’s practice groups, including Architecture + Interiors; Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering + Ecology; and Planning + Urban Design.

“This team is attuned to the needs of practice,” says Caitlyn Clauson, President of Sasaki. “When designers have access to the appropriate resources and can collaborate freely across disciplines, the result is efficient, effective, and exceptional outcomes that propel the practice. We are thrilled to have Allyson guiding our Practice Resources.”

In her previous roles, Allyson directed initiatives focused on standards, best practices, and project management, all aimed at enhancing the quality and consistency of design outcomes, and enabling productive ways of working. These efforts laid the foundation for her new role as CPRO at Sasaki. “I’ve worn lots of hats at design firms,” says Allyson. “This new opportunity coalesces my diverse experiences and exposure to different types of practices and scales of projects. I am intrigued by processes that balance creativity with standards and systems that inform iteration.“

Supporting Practice with Standards, Technology, and Training

Under Allyson’s leadership, the Practice Resources Team equips project teams with the tools, workflows, and knowledge they require to succeed. The key areas of Professional Practice, Digital Practice, and Information Systems connect standards and technology. They ensure that we are not only responsive to client needs, but also equipped to work productively. Professional Practice partners with Sasaki’s planners and designers to develop technical standards, uphold quality control processes, and teach project management and other best practices to staff. Digital Practice plays a central role in testing and monitoring software workflows, automating processes to enable effective collaboration across teams and disciplines. Information Systems provides Sasaki with the software, platforms, and technologies to work efficiently and innovatively. “This triad of support services is a significant contributor to practice,” says Allyson. “They are integral partners to project teams through every stage of the design process,” she explains.

Exceptional Resources: Fabrication Studio and Library + Archives

Sasaki boasts several other assets for practice, including the Fabrication Studio, the Library, and the Archives. The Fabrication Studio is where concepts and designs come to life through prototyping. Allyson’s oversight of this vital resource is aimed at enhancing its integration with the design process, ensuring that teams can quickly test ideas and iterate on solutions in a hands-on environment. “Prototyping is essential to exploring design possibilities and resolving challenges early in the process. Our Fabrication Studio fosters a culture of experimentation and innovation, which ultimately leads to stronger outcomes,” says Allyson.

Sasaki’s Library and Archives are key resources for the firm’s knowledge-sharing and research efforts. The library contains a robust collection of periodicals, books, and reference materials. The archives serve as a repository of Sasaki’s history and past project documentation, which are crucial for informing future work. Bringing these resources into closer alignment with other areas of practice engenders continuous learning and reflection within the firm. “The Library and our Archives are exciting troves for our teams to not only study past work but also to engage with current research and trends that push our practice forward,” says Allyson.

A Future-Focused Approach

As Sasaki continues to evolve as a leader in the design industry, the Practice Resources team will be critical in shaping the firm’s future. “The team coalesces existing essential functions,” Clauson says. “Under Allyson, this exceptional group will set the conditions for successful practice, equipping us with tools, technologies, and methods, and creating a culture where innovation, collaboration and excellence can flourish.”

“I am thrilled to partner with so many talented Sasaki colleagues to create an environment where great design can thrive—where teams have the resources, knowledge, and support they need to push boundaries and deliver exceptional work,” Allyson says. This is our project.”