“Our aesthetic is to create immersive desert gardens wherever we work, to celebrate biodiversity in the most artful way, and to create landscapes that celebrate nature in all its glory.”—Charlie Ray, landscape designer

Born and raised in Arizona, Charlie Ray has deep roots in the Sonoran Desert, with the area around the house he grew up in functioning as his playground. This is also where he developed a strong connection to nature and all the beauty therein. “Being outdoors is truly a sensory experience—the sounds of birds and trickling water, the feeling of peace they bring, the trees that create shade, the plants that attract butterflies, the paths that wind through the landscape and the sitting areas where these things can be enjoyed. It all matters,” he says, crediting his parents’ love for nature—and his interaction with the beautiful exterior environments they created at their home—with exposing him at an early age to the subtleties of nature growing and evolving. “It was a great learning experience,” he remarks.

As an adult, nature became the muse that inspired Ray to found a landscape design business called The Green Room, which has allowed him to create extraordinary surroundings for others for more than two decades. “The path I took was very formative,” he notes. “I had a wonderful imagination from a young age and always excelled in the art programs in school. My college studies were multidisciplinary and primarily focused on architecture, and my passions in life and my inspiration has always revolved around architecture, design and the natural environment. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Arizona State University, the decision to have my own design studio was a matter of following my heart and combining my love of nature with my technical skill and artistic talents to realize my dream.” Ray’s firm has become nationally recognized and now employs 12 team members collaborating on some 50 projects—ranging from residential to commercial to institutional—at any one time. “Life is a journey,” Ray reflects. “Every step along the way guides you to the next one. My goal and what gives me purpose is to connect people to nature through my work; and being able to engage with nature in a garden that is always evolving is what drives me to create exceptional experiences for our clients.”

These experiences are admired by many design professionals with whom Ray has worked.  Interior design firm managing partner Scott Burdick worked closely with Ray on their landscape design, which was one of Ray’s early projects. “Charlie is very collaborative but brings very fresh and out-of-the-box ideas to the table,” Burdick notes. “He also has very sophisticated taste and ideas that are more worldview than is typical for an Arizona landscape designer. His designs are modern, bold and extremely high-end.”

Masters of the Southwest award-winning interior designer David Michael Miller, who has worked with Ray on a number of projects over the years, describes the landscape designer’s style as wonderful and naturalistic. “His eye for composition, texture and richness is very keen. He has a natural talent and is passionate about his work.”

Ray says the process involved in creating the immersive native landscapes that are his trademark begins with analyzing the site, understanding the architecture and the client’s aesthetics, and deciding how to bring nature into the environment. “Everything is unique to each project we do; we don’t have a formula,” he points out. “All of our work is artfully inspired and aimed at creating elevated and harmonious atmospheres.”

Ecology, too, is paramount to the work Ray does. “We need to be good stewards of our land,” he explains. “To that end, we work with a native palette that includes cactus, creosote and beautiful specimen trees that we rescue from development sites. I think of these trees as living sculpture. They are nature’s artwork, and the more twisted and gnarly they are, the better. Seeing the dappled light come through their leaves gives me goosebumps.” 

Architect Patricia Suchart notes, “Charlie’s use of salvaged materials gives his landscapes a soulful quality, allowing one to be embraced by desert plants that have existed for years. His designs focus on creating tranquil outdoor rooms where the landscape weaves seamlessly through the architecture; spaces where one is always surrounded by the colors of desert blooms and native plants. Rather than simply observing the landscape, you interact with it.

“Charlie’s landscapes are a perfect reflection of his personality—gentle, thoughtful and filled with positive energy,” she adds. “He strives to bring these qualities to every project, creating spaces that feel both grounding and uplifting.”

A project Ray is currently working on in Tucson is a perfect example of this. “We will be creating a child-friendly therapeutic garden in Tucson in conjunction with a humanitarian design/build practice called Office for the New Earth (ONE). They have built some wonderful healing spaces for children in refugee camps in Europe,” he explains. “I feel very moved by their work, and I have a great desire to realize a similar endeavor for the struggling families in Tucson. Our mission is to connect children and families with natural spaces that allow them to breathe and play freely.”

Rays says the completed project, dubbed Oasis for the Senses, will be a beautiful, safe and uplifting environment where children and families in need can engage with nature and each other. “It will be built on the terrain of Second Sky, a community center in south Tucson, which is currently a vast open space of gravel with no existing ecosystem, making the need for landscaping fundamental for a nurturing experience,” Ray notes. When complete, the oasis will feature rolling hills, adventurous pathways, shaded play structures, a curved water stream with stepping stones, a meadow maze of desert grasses that leads to playful art pieces, and desert shrubs such as sage and thyme that create a calming olfactory atmosphere. In addition, mesquite and palo verde trees will provide shade and color while plants with soft textures will create whispering sounds and dappled light. “Our aim for this project is for it to be an example for other places,” Ray says. “We’re using the runoff water from nearby businesses to feed this oasis. Everything matters, and water is life.”

Ray is quick to say that there are many things that give him joy and purpose. “I love the personal connections I have with my clients and design team. I love spending time in nature and being free to express my thoughts and ideas in the most elevated and beautiful way,” he notes. “I feel very privileged to do what I do. It’s truly a gift.”

SOURCES

• Landscape designer: Charlie Ray, ASLA, The Green Room Landscape Architecture, Phoenix, tgrla.com.
• Remodel architecture: Biegner-Murff Architects, Phoenix, biegnermurff.com.
• Builder: Nance Construction, Scottsdale, nanceconstruction.com.
• Container (custom): The Stone Yard, Phoenix, thestoneyardaz.com.
• Pool: Dan Goss, DGA Inc., Scottsdale, dgapools.com.
• French Ravel ceramic container: Studio Ressource LLC, Scottsdale, studioressource.com.
• Pool: Dan Goss, DGA Inc., Scottsdale, dgapools.com.
• Fire pit and seating area design: David Michael Miller, David Michael Miller Associates, Scottsdale, davidmichaelmiller.com.
• Sitting area design and furniture: davidmichaelmiller.com.
• Spanish vessel: studioressource.com.
• Remodel architecture: Biegner-Murf Architects, Phoenix, biegnermurff.com.
• Interior design: davidmichaelmiller.com.
• Pool: Dan Goss, DGA, Inc., Scottsdale, dgapools.com.
• Pool decking: Facings of America, Phoenix & Scottsdale, facingsofamerica.com.
• Container (custom): The Stone Yard, Phoenix, thestoneyardaz.com.