A native Floridian, Franchesca grew up in Little Havana to Cuban parents, spending her teenage years trekking through the Everglades and learning about Florida’s native flora and fauna from her father. Through these experiences, she came to understand the importance of caring for the land, not just as a resource, but as something living and deeply interconnected with our daily lives. This path led her to the University of Florida, where she earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. As part of her studies, she also participated in a design-build program in Dals Långed, Sweden, through the University of Washington. The project focused on creating an inclusive public space for recently resettled Syrian refugees in the community.
Her professional experience spans a diverse range of projects: from large-scale giga developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Cairo to projects throughout the Caribbean and Florida. Through these experiences, she has witnessed how design can celebrate cultural heritage while embracing the possibilities of a visionary future. She believes landscape architecture is a powerful tool to honor the stories embedded in the land and to create spaces where those stories can continue to unfold.
Outside of work, Franchesca enjoys sunny days with her dog, Mango, ceramics, traveling to a new state to see her favorite bands, and perfecting recipes for food pop-ups she hosts with her friends.
