Great landscapes don’t begin with a shovel—they begin in the mind. In this dynamic 2-part session, award-winning designer Kevin O’Brien draws on 30 years of professional experience to reveal how bold creativity transforms constraints into signature opportunities that set you apart in a crowded marketplace. Through a curated slideshow of projects, Kevin guides you deep into real-world case studies where difficult environments became the catalyst for innovation:  

• Limited-access urban rooftop garden and interior courtyard prayer garden
• Steep slopes stabilized with stone terracing 
• Wet and dry soil sites reimagined as lush native plant gardens
• Micro-lots and shallow backyards expanded visually through optical illusions and multi-functional design  
• Oddly shaped parcels turned into seamless, high-impact outdoor rooms  
• High-profile indoor garden shows built under tight deadlines and artificial light

But site challenges are only half the story. Kevin pulls back the curtain on mid-project curveballs—client pivots, material shortages, and other surprises—and demonstrates field-tested strategies for keeping momentum without compromising vision.
You’ll leave with:  

• Proven ideation prompts to spark “inside-the-box” thinking under pressure  
• Sales techniques that translate technical constraints into client-exciting possibilities  
• Sketch-to-installation workflows that shorten timelines and boost profitability  
• A notebook full of adaptable details, plant combinations, and hardscape solutions  

Information-dense and interactive, this session encourages active participation. Arrive with questions, an open mind, and a readiness to accelerate your learning curve. Whether you design, build, or sell landscapes, these battle-tested principles will sharpen your creative edge and elevate every project that follows.