Hagan Binder Landscape Architects
Hagan Binder Landscape Architects is a full-service, licensed, landscape architecture firm located in Highlands, NC, specializing in the creation of thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces. Our approach blends environmental stewardship with sophisticated design to ensure that each landscape not only harmonizes with its natural surroundings but also meets the functional needs of our clients. From residential to municipal projects, we are committed to crafting sustainable and beautiful environments that enhance the quality of life and elevate the experience of outdoor living.
Memberships and Licenses
We are actively engaged in the community through memberships in the Highlands and Cashiers Chambers of Commerce, the Highlands Historical Society, the Cashiers Historical Society, and Develop Cashiers Responsibly. Our involvement reflects our commitment to preserving the region’s rich heritage while promoting responsible growth and sustainable development. Ashley Hagan Binder, a former member of the Town of Highlands Planning Board, brings valuable insight into the area’s planning and zoning considerations, reinforcing our dedication to thoughtful, context-sensitive design that enhances the character and integrity of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.
Hiring a licensed Landscape Architect ensures your project is not only beautifully designed but also compliant with legal, regulatory, and community requirements. Many municipalities and HOAs require plans to be prepared or approved by a licensed Landscape Architect, especially when grading, drainage, or site structures are involved. Licensed Landscape Architects carry professional liability insurance and are held to strict ethical and technical standards, offering peace of mind and accountability. Their expertise helps prevent costly mistakes, ensures public safety, and results in landscapes that are both functional and enduring.
Ashley is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, a LEED Accredited Professional, a registered ISA Arborist, and a Licensed Landscape Architect in Louisiana, Florida, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. In 2024 she obtained her FAA UAS (Drone) Pilot License, allowing her to provide aerial imagery services to clients.
Active licenses:
FL Landscape Architect #LA6667148
Guided by a commitment
to crafting outdoor spaces that are both naturally diverse and functional for human enjoyment, Ashley Hagan Binder founded Hagan Binder Landscape Architects in 2012. Since then, the firm has provided professional landscape architecture services across the Southeastern United States, blending ecological sensitivity with thoughtful design to create lasting and meaningful places.
Ashley holds a Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin. She also studied the 'Tropical Modern' design aesthetic under the mentorship of Raymond Jungles, who was inspired by the renowned Brazilian Landscape Architect, Roberto Burle Marx.
Ashley's upcoming book, "Wild Landscapes" is set to be released in 2026.
Areas Serviced
Our design studio is located in Highlands, but our work spans the entire Plateau, including Cashiers, Sapphire, and the surrounding communities. We are proud to bring our expertise to some of the region’s most distinguished private developments, including Cullasaja Club, Highlands Country Club, High Hampton, Cashiers Lake, Peregrine, Wade Hampton, Saratay Falls, and more. With a deep appreciation for the Plateau’s unique mountain landscapes, we approach every project with thoughtful design, expert craftsmanship, and a commitment to ecological stewardship—ensuring each property blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings while fulfilling our clients’ aesthetic and functional goals.
The Process
DESIGNING GARDEN TOOLS
Do more. With less effort. In style.
In 2023, Hagan Binder Design expanded to offer custom, luxury garden tools. The first, patent pending tool, The Nursery Bucket Movers, are designed as a labor saver that make carrying nursery containers easier. Designed with husband-and-wife team, Ashley Hagan Binder & Lawrence Binder, the Movers are designed for landscape architects, gardeners and nursery works to move plants easier, to allow for heavier weight to be lifted with less strain on the fingers, and to allow multiple plants to be carried at once. The Bucket Movers are more ergonomic than lifting by hand! We recommend two per person - one in each hand allows for carrying up to four plants at once!
Featured Services and Upcoming Events
Location
