Today we’d like to introduce you to Diego Dessens.
Hi Diego, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I studied architecture in Hermosillo, Mexico, about 23 years ago. At the beginning of my career, I worked for a company that designed and built swimming pools. Very early on, I started suggesting that we could go beyond just the pool itself and offer to design the entire outdoor area around it. I realized that what truly brings a pool, or any structure, to life is the space that surrounds it, the plants, the textures, the feeling of the outdoors. That idea helped me understand that architecture and nature are always connected. It’s not only about the building; it’s also about the environment that holds it.
Over the years, I worked in different architecture firms in Hermosillo and Mexico City, learning more about residential design and construction. For a long time, I dreamed of working in golf course design, but in Latin America that path practically doesn’t exist as a profession. Still, that dream kept me thinking about large-scale landscapes and how people move through outdoor spaces.
My connection to nature actually started much earlier. Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I was surrounded by plants, trees, and especially bonsai. My father is an agricultural engineer, so our home was always full of different plant varieties. Looking back, I think that is where my unconscious bond with nature began. Later, as an architect, I naturally tried to bring that love for nature into every project, always looking for ways to link the built environment with the landscape.
Four years ago, life brought my family and me to Austin, a city that has given us so much and to which we are deeply grateful. Here I was finally able to work as a landscape designer, learning about native plants, local materials, and the character of Central Texas landscapes. In every company I worked for, I tried to push beyond the traditional approach, using what I had learned as an architect and bringing that mindset into landscape design.
After three years, I decided to take the next step and founded my own company, DESSENS LANDSCAPE DESIGN. Our main goal is to create unique, high-quality outdoor spaces. We don’t just offer a plant palette, gravel, and curved flower beds. We design a complete project as if our clients were building a new part of their home. We create custom elements that are both beautiful and functional: green walls, screens, pergolas, and decks that go beyond simple rectangles. We focus on designing spaces where people can feel comfortable, change their mood, feel free, and truly enjoy being outdoors.
For us, a landscape is a full experience. We think about sounds, colors, levels, and especially scents. Our projects are always connected to nature, attracting and supporting pollinators and adding life to the environment. Austin has given me the chance to finally live my dream, and every day I wake up grateful, asking myself how I can give back to this community, and the answer is always the same: by offering thoughtful, personalized landscape designs that help people connect with their outdoor spaces in a deeper way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of the biggest challenges of starting a business in a country that is not my own has been building real connections. People already have their circles of friends and networks, and breaking into those circles to create a new client base is not easy. It takes time, trust, and a lot of consistency.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in designing unique, high-quality outdoor spaces that feel like a true extension of the home. At DESSENS LANDSCAPE DESIGN, my work goes far beyond choosing plants, we create complete outdoor environments that combine architecture, nature, and the way people actually live and move in their spaces. My background as an architect with more than 20 years of experience is a big part of what sets us apart. I approach every landscape project with the same level of detail and intention as if we were designing a house. We don’t just offer a plant palette, gravel, and curved flowerbeds. We design custom elements such as green walls, screens, pergolas, and decks that are not just decorative, but also highly functional and tailored to each property. Our design process always begins with an on-site visit. We spend time listening carefully to the client’s needs and walking through the space together. During that visit, we also share ideas and suggest options that the client may not have considered, always looking for ways to add more life and value to the project. After the visit, we develop the design. Once we have a first proposal, we present it in detail, explaining each part of the project, how the sun and wind interact with the property, why we chose specific materials, and the type of vegetation we are proposing and the reason behind each choice. After the presentation, we send the client a proposal for this first phase, along with a link that allows them to virtually walk through the design from their computer. If the client requests changes, we refine the design and then, once it is approved, we create a detailed layout showing exactly where every element will be placed. This helps the client visualize the project clearly and make small adjustments if needed to improve the space even more. Our philosophy has always been to offer our clients designs that are unique, personalized, and different from what they usually see in the market. We try to step away from the typical solutions and create a clear differentiator in every project. We focus on crafting outdoor spaces that not only look beautiful, but also feel special, functional, and emotionally meaningful for the people who will use them. What I am most proud of is seeing how our designs change the way people experience their homes. When a client tells us that they now spend more time outside, feel more relaxed, or simply feel happier in their space, that is the greatest reward. Austin has given me the opportunity to do this work, and I am honored to give back to the community with thoughtful, one-of-a-kind landscape designs.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’ve always been very interested in technology, and I try to stay curious about new tools and systems that can improve my work and the experience we create for our clients. I constantly look for resources about new trends in architecture and landscape design, especially those that focus on sustainability and the integration of nature into everyday life. Right now, I’m taking some courses on green wall design, both for interiors and exteriors. I’m also starting to read a book called Grow Food Everywhere, which I find very inspiring. I’m convinced that in the future, most homes will include some kind of space dedicated to edible plants. I think this idea of growing food where we live will become more and more important. Beyond any specific app or book, what helps me most is learning about how green, natural elements affect the way we feel. I truly believe that having plants and living elements inside and outside our homes makes us feel alive, happy, relaxed, and at peace. That belief guides a lot of what I choose to study and apply in my work.
Pricing:
- 5000
- 15000
- 30000
- 100000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dessensla.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dessensla/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegodessens/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dessens-landscape-design-cedar-park-2?osq=Dessens+Landscape+Design
