About Us

Award Winning Landscape Architects and Stewards of Our Florida Environment Since 1969

O’Leary Richards Design Associates (ORDA) is well known  throughout the South Florida area with a proven track record of innovative and sustainable designs.  For more than 50 years, the firm has provided leadership in landscape architecture creating sustainable places to live, work and play.  Our portfolio includes a wide array of project types in the municipal, institutional, and private sectors.  Throughout our history, we have enjoyed shaping Florida’s future, working with state agencies, counties, and a myriad of local municipalities.  Our measure of excellence is the long term satisfaction of our clients and the achievement of the principles we share as a firm. 

As conscious stewards of our environment, we are  improving the greater South Florida landscape, one project at a time.  The completion of hundreds of successful projects has made us leaders in subtropical Landscape Architecture.  As designers passionate about detail and aesthetics, we strive for beauty in each of our projects and design with an intimate understanding that the long-term sustainability of every component must be addressed.  ORDA provides continuity and coordination through all phases of each project from initial planning through design and construction with the highest principles of integrity and professionalism. 

Our Leadership

Kathryn O’Leary Richards
PLA, ASLA, LEED GA

Kathryn O’Leary Richards began drafting in her father’s office at the age of 14 and her passion for art and the environment led her to follow in his footsteps. As a veteran of landscape architecture, Kathy considers project familiarity and collaboration crucial elements in achieving creative solutions and intriguing designs. Having guided hundreds of successful projects during her 35-year career, she excels at creating beautiful and sustainable spaces with an uncompromising dedication to quality. She is a LEED accredited professional, an ISA certified arborist and LIAF certified landscape inspector with extensive experience in the public, private and institutional sectors. In her role as President, Kathy is responsible for the leadership and management of the firm and provides a high level of specialized and client-focused service.

William A. O’Leary
PLA, FASLA

Bill O’Leary has over five decades of experience as a Landscape Architect throughout Florida and the Caribbean and is widely considered a leader in his field. He is a former Trustee and past President of the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and in 1985 was elected a Fellow.  He has served on numerous public boards and commissions and continues to work for his community.  He has directed major projects during his career and his professional practice has been enriched by active involvement in civic and professional organizations. His vast experience and expertise has made him one of the most respected Landscape Architects in South Florida. Bill is an advocate of quality design and is dedicated to the highest principles of professionalism.

Kevin Richards
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER

Kevin Richards has a bachelor’s degree from Florida International University in Construction Management and brings with him a full array of project management experience. With over 27 years in the South Florida area, his experience consists of managing several roadway, school and park projects as well as various commercial and residential projects. He has extensive knowledge in construction administration, construction observation, project cost estimating, critical path project organization and quality control. He brings a depth to the ORDA team with his background and knowledge in construction management.

Client List

“Our measure of excellence is the long term satisfaction of our clients and the achievement of the principles we share as a firm.”

  • Bal Harbour Village
  • City of Aventura
  • Town of Golden Beach
  • City of Sunny Isles Beach
  • Village of Palmetto Bay
  • City of Coral Springs
  • Village of Pinecrest
  • City of Coral Gables
  • City of Doral
  • City of Miami
  • City of Miami Beach
  • City of Miami Gardens
  • City of Miramar
  • City of North Miami Beach
  • Village of Key Biscayne
  • Bay Harbour Island
  • City of Miami Lakes
  • Florida Dept. of Transportation
  • Miami Dade Co. Parks & Recreation
  • Miami Dade Co. Health Dept.
  • Wolfberg Alvarez & Partners
  • Arquitectonica
  • Silva Architects
  • Revuelta Architecture Int’l
  • Alvarez Engineers
  • Kobi Karp Architecture
  • David Plummer & Associates
  • T.Y. Lin International
  • URS Corporation
  • BCC Engineering
  • Metric Engineering
  • Corradino Group
  • FONS Architects
  • Sixto Architects
  • Toma Design Group
  • Marlin Engineering
  • Behar Font & Partners
  • Gannet-Fleming Engineers
  • The Mellgren Planning Group
  • The Adler Group
  • Codina Partners
  • UM/Mamco
  • Key Monte Carlo
  • Cheezem Development Corp
  • Green Development Group
  • Lennar Homes

Client List

“Our measure of excellence is the long term satisfaction of our clients and the achievement of the principles we share as a firm.”

  • Bal Harbour Village
  • City of Aventura
  • Town of Golden Beach
  • City of Sunny Isles Beach
  • Village of Palmetto Bay
  • City of Coral Springs
  • Village of Pinecrest
  • City of Coral Gables
  • City of Doral
  • City of Miami
  • City of Miami Beach
  • City of Miami Gardens
  • City of Miramar
  • City of North Miami Beach
  • Village of Key Biscayne
  • Bay Harbour Island
  • City of Miami Lakes
  • Florida Dept. of Transportation
  • Miami Dade Co. Parks & Recreation
  • Miami Dade Co. Health Dept.
  • Wolfberg Alvarez & Partners
  • Arquitectonica
  • Silva Architects
  • Revuelta Architecture Int’l
  • Alvarez Engineers
  • Kobi Karp Architecture
  • David Plummer & Associates
  • T.Y. Lin International
  • URS Corporation
  • BCC Engineering
  • Metric Engineering
  • Corradino Group
  • FONS Architects
  • Sixto Architects
  • Toma Design Group
  • Marlin Engineering
  • Behar Font & Partners
  • Gannet-Fleming Engineers
  • The Mellgren Planning Group
  • The Adler Group
  • Codina Partners
  • UM/Mamco
  • Key Monte Carlo
  • Cheezem Development Corp
  • Green Development Group
  • Lennar Homes

Awards & Recognition

American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
FLORIDA CHAPTER AWARD OF HONOR
DEERIDGE FARMS ESTATE | WELLINGTON, FLORIDA
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
FLORIDA CHAPTER AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
BURGER KING EXECUTIVE HEADQUARTERS | MIAMI, FLORIDA
National Concrete Masonry Association and ICPI
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
PALMETTO BAY MUNICIPAL CENTER | PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA
Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association
FNGLA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
COLLINS AVENUE STREETSCAPE | BAL HARBOUR
2-MILE BOARDWALK & DUNE RESTORATION | MIAMI BEACH, FL
CRANDON BOULEVARD REVEGETATION | KEY BISCAYNE, FL
AMERIFIRST PARK, A 100-ACRE OFFICE PARK | MIAMI, FL
RUSSELL COURTYARD AND PLAZA | MIAMI, FL
Builders Association of South Florida
FAME MERIT AWARD
AMERIFIRST PARK, A 100-ACRE OFFICE PARK | MIAMI, FLORIDA
United States Building Council LEED

(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

LEED PLATINUM | PALMETTO BAY MUNICIPAL CENTER | PALMETTO BAY, FL
LEED FOR HOMES | US COASTGUARD HOUSING | MARATHON, FL
LEED FOR HOMES | SMATHERS FOUR FILLIES FARM | PINECREST, FL
LEED GOLD | CAMILLUS HOUSE CENTER | MIAMI, FL
LEED GOLD | DORAL PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE FACILITY | DORAL, FL
American Association of Nurserymen
THE CLIFFORD E BUTLER AWARD
FRIENDSHIP PLAZA/OFF-STREET PARKING AUTHORITY | MIAMI, FLORIDA
American Association of Nurserymen
AWARD OF DESIGN EXCELLENCE
BURGER KING EXECUTIVE HEADQUARTERS | MIAMI, FLORIDA
American Association of Nurserymen
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
OFF-STREET PARKING AUTHORITY | MIAMI, FLORIDA
AMERICAN SAVINGS & LOAN ASSOCIATION | MIAMI, FLORIDA
The Cultural Landscape Foundation
GARDEN DIALOGUE TOUR 2020
DEERIDGE FARMS ESTATE

Woman Owned

O’Leary Richards Design Associates Is a Woman Owned Business Certified With the Following Agencies:

  • Miami-Dade County (SBE)
  • State of Florida (WBE)
  • Florida Department of Transportation (DBE)
  • Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MWBE & SBE)

Woman Owned

O’Leary Richards Design Associates Is a Woman Owned Business Certified With the Following Agencies:

  • Miami-Dade County (SBE)
  • State of Florida (WBE)

  • Florida Department of Transportation (DBE)

  • Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MWBE & SBE)