Architecture in the Landscape
Oak Five is an architecture and landscape design practice that is dedicated to creating joyful spaces and structures that connect with community and natural systems through a wholistic, site driven design approach. Using the constraints and opportunities of each project as the catalyst for invention, we strive to make every project and place more beautiful and functional while stewarding our clients’ visions into reality.
Kate Snider Tabony
OWNER, FOUNDER
Kate has over 20 years of experience realizing architecture and landscape projects across the United States. She received her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia and her Masters of Architecture from Princeton University. Kate thrives in all aspects of the design and construction process, and draws inspiration from close collaboration with clients, subconsultants, and contractors. Her time as an associate at Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects led her to question the academic/disciplinary boundary between the practice of architecture and landscape architecture. Recognizing that her garden is the most joyful place in her home, she was inspired to found an architecture firm that questions the distinction between indoors and outdoors, between nature and architecture.
Some of Kate’s previous built work, prior to founding Oak Five, includes large-scale public parks in Texas, farms and estates in Virginia, an off-the-grid research center in Utah, multi-family housing and live-work spaces in California, traditional adobe homes in New Mexico, an off-the-grid mobile solar house on the National Mall, and a number of award winning residential and commercial projects throughout central Virginia. Kate is also a proud mother of two creative and kind sons, and is driven by her desire to make the world a better place for future generations.