Rooted Passions digs into the origin stories of Hitchcock Design Group’s fascination with landscape architecture, horticulture, urban planning, and design.
From Undecided to Inspired: Max’s Journey into Landscape Architecture
Max Goettler, Project Designer | Naperville Office
When HDG Project Designer Max Goettler first arrived at Ohio State University, he had no idea what direction his career would take. Like many college freshmen, he entered undecided—open to possibility, but without a clear path. It wasn’t until he enrolled in an architecture class “just for fun” that things began to click.
With a natural talent for art and a lifelong knack for drawing people, Max quickly found himself enjoying the creative process. But it was more than just sketching buildings—his class introduced elements of landscape architecture that resonated deeply. Around the same time, a family friend who was in Ohio State’s Landscape Architecture program showed Max her work, and it struck him: this was a practical, meaningful way to turn art into something that shaped the world.
That inspiration led Max to pursue an internship that doubled as a studio class: with Hitchcock Design Group. During his 2022 internship, Max dove headfirst into the world of real-world design, gaining exposure to a wide variety of projects and disciplines within the field. The experience confirmed what he was already beginning to suspect: landscape architecture wasn’t just a good fit; it was exactly where he was meant to be.
After graduating, Max returned to Hitchcock Design Group to officially start his career, bringing with him a continued excitement for all aspects of the profession. He thrives on the diversity of the work: CAD drawings, concept development, design refinement, construction documentation, and the incredible feeling of seeing a project come to life. Max also appreciates the long-term relationships Hitchcock builds with its clients and the trust that grows over time.
One of Max’s favorite projects to date is the Grace Lutheran Pre-School Playground, where he’s worked closely with HDG Design Principal Andy Howard to take the project from concept through construction. “It’s small, but really meaningful,” Max says. “There’s a lot of specificity in how kids play and interact with space. It’s been fun to think deeply about those details and create something special.” His fingerprints are all over the project—from the first sketches to construction coordination—which makes seeing it come to life all the more rewarding.
Beyond design work, Max also supports Hitchcock’s efforts in grant writing, including assisting with OSLAD (Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development) grant applications. There’s a unique satisfaction in helping communities win funding for parks and recreational spaces and then getting to work on the projects he helped make possible.
For students considering a career in landscape architecture, Max offers this advice: “Find the aspect of the field that excites you the most and advocate to do more of that. And practice drawing, whether it’s sketching ideas, people, or spaces, it sharpens your ability to think visually and communicate clearly.”
Max’s journey may have started with uncertainty, but through curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to explore, he’s found his place in a profession that blends art, science, and impact—and he’s just getting started.
Favorite Project: Prairie Bluff Sports Park
From Backyards to Public Parks: Christian’s Journey into Landscape Architecture
Christian Sanford, Project Designer | Naperville Office
For HDG Project Designer Christian Sanford, the path to landscape architecture started right in his own neighborhood. As a kid, he was always fascinated by construction, nature, and drawing. His neighbors, who happened to be residential landscape architects, had a backyard that was practically a living portfolio. It wasn’t just beautiful—it sparked something in him.
In high school, Christian had the opportunity to shadow those same neighbors. That experience sealed the deal. He helped with renderings, assisted with line work, and even visited job sites.
Christian went on to study Landscape Architecture at Purdue University. During his time there, he not only developed a solid design foundation but also learned how interconnected the industry is. Working alongside students from planning, architecture, engineering, and horticulture gave him a holistic view of the profession and how important collaboration is in creating successful spaces.
While still in school, Christian joined Hitchcock Design Group for a co-op internship during the height of the COVID pandemic. After graduation, Christian returned to HDG to officially start his career. One of the most meaningful parts of his work? Designing public spaces that are accessible to everyone, regardless of economic background or personal resources. “Creating better places to live, work, and play—it’s incredibly rewarding,” he shares.
Christian plays an active role in OSLAD (Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development) grant writing. He enjoys the research involved, learning the history of each community, understanding its specific needs, and helping secure funding for transformative projects. “It’s a great way to learn the full scope of landscape architecture as a young professional,” he says. “From coordinating board meetings and engaging with municipal staff to understanding landownership and budgets, it gives you experience in every part of the process.”
One of Christian’s favorite projects is Townley Park. He worked on the project from start to finish, starting with the grant plans and carrying them through design development, construction documentation, permitting, and coordination with the parks board and a newly hired parks director. “There were a lot of moving pieces,” he explains, “but seeing it all come together and then walking the site and watching people use and enjoy the space—that was the moment it all felt real.”
His advice for anyone interested in the field? “Shadow someone in the profession and ask as many questions as you can. The more you understand about the work early on, the more confident and prepared you’ll feel when you start your own journey.”
Christian’s story is a great example of how early inspiration, hands-on experience, and a willingness to learn from others can lead to a meaningful and impactful career—one project, one park, and one community at a time.
Favorite Project: Townley Park
Finding the Right Fit: Jack’s Journey into Landscape Architecture
Jackson McGee, Associate 2 | Naperville Office
HDG Associate 2, Jack McGee has always been a graphically minded person—curious about how things work, visually oriented, and drawn to details. Growing up, people encouraged him to pursue engineering, assuming that his mechanical mindset would be best suited there. So, like many students trying to make the “right” decision, Jack started college majoring in biology.
But something didn’t feel quite right.
While studying biology, Jack worked at his university’s recreation center, a job that quietly began reshaping his path. It didn’t take long for him to realize he wasn’t passionate about biology, and that he needed to pursue a career that was more aligned with his interests. That’s when he reached out to the chair of the Landscape Architecture program at Purdue University.
“As soon as I walked into the building and saw all the plans on the walls, I knew,” Jack says. “It just clicked—this was the kind of work I wanted to do.” He soon transferred into the Landscape Architecture program and never looked back.
During his time at Purdue, Jack interned with Ragan Smith Associates, focusing on land planning. The experience gave him valuable technical skills and exposed him to the bigger picture of how design impacts communities. When it came time to launch his full-time career, Jack interviewed with the Recreation Studio at Hitchcock Design Group’s Naperville office. Their passion for designing recreation spaces really stood out, and it won him over.
Jack quickly fell in love with the mission of designing for community impact, especially in public spaces that invite people of all backgrounds to play, gather, and connect. The alignment felt natural: his parents had both worked in education, his wife works in healthcare, and he and his sister both worked in recreation. Coincidentally, or maybe fatefully, these are three core markets that Hitchcock Design Group serves. And during a time when the value of healthcare and recreation became more critical than ever—COVID—Jack was just beginning his career.
Although he originally worked out of the Naperville studio, the shift to working from home during COVID, and the opportunity to be closer to his wife in Indiana, ultimately became permanent. He remained with the Indiana team and found a new rhythm and a great professional home at Hitchcock’s Indiana office.
For Jack, the most rewarding projects aren’t always the biggest ones, they’re often the ones with the tightest budgets. “Designing for underserved communities is what hits home the most,” he says. One of his favorite projects to date is the 1821 Bicentennial Streetscape, his first with the Indiana team. It allowed him to dig into meaningful work, serve a community directly, and collaborate with his new team in a new state.
Jack’s advice for students thinking about landscape architecture? “Find a firm that wants you to work with them. Look for a team and a mission that fits you, instead of trying to mold yourself into a firm that doesn’t align with your values or the way you like to work.”
Jack’s journey from biology major to landscape architect, from Naperville to Indiana, from intern to meaningful community designer reminds us that the best paths are often the ones we find by following what truly excites us. And sometimes, all it takes is one step into the right building to know you’re on the right track.
Favorite Project: 1821 Bicentennial Streetscape
