Brett is SLA’s Founding Principal and maintains an active role on all projects from design development through construction documentation.

Brett received a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University, graduating magna cum laude. Brett has experience and expertise in thoughtful design, construction management, and contemporary best practices.

From 2010–2015, he worked at Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates’s Brooklyn and Cambridge offices on a range of civic and institutional projects. From 2016–2019, he was a Project Manager at the University of Iowa, overseeing landscape, civil, and architectural projects; and was involved in Master Planning initiatives through Campus Planning. Brett formally established Seelman Landscape Architecture in 2018 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Throughout his career, he has designed projects in Connecticut, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Texas, and internationally in Toronto, Canada; Venice, Italy; Mexico City, Mexico; and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Brett is a Professional Landscape Architect (PLA) and a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). He currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Capital Planning Commission (CPC) for the State of Iowa. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.

Brett resides in Cedar Rapids with his wife and two young boys.


EDUCATION

Iowa State University, 2011
Ames, IA
Bachelors of Landscape Architecture, magna cum laude

Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture, 2010
Copenhagen, Denmark
Visiting Student

Iowa State University, Dept. of Landscape Architecture, 2009
Ames, IA
Research Assistant for Mimi Wagner, Associate Professor


ACCREDITATIONS

Professional Landscape Architect (PLA), State of Iowa #00671
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Full Member


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Seelman Landscape Architecture: Cedar Rapids, IA
2018–present

–Brucemore Post-Derecho Landscape Plan: Cedar Rapids, IA
–University of Iowa, Riverfront Masterplan: Iowa City, IA
–Cedar Rapids Greenway Parks Plan: Cedar Rapids, IA
–University of Northern Iowa, Maucker Plaza: Cedar Falls, IA
–May’s Island Vision Plan: Cedar Rapids, IA
–Esta Barrett Manor & Gardens Historic Restoration: Rockford, IL
–Prairie Summit YMCA: Cedar Rapids, IA
–University of Iowa, Hillcrest Hall Courtyard: Iowa City, IA
–University of Iowa, Quadrangle Green Space: Iowa City, IA


University of Iowa: Campus Planning: Iowa City, IA
2015–2019

–Managing 100+ projects totaling $145+ million in capital project costs


Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates: Cambridge, MA; Brooklyn, NY
2010–2015

Campus & University Landscapes
–Harvard University, Smith Campus Center: Cambridge, MA
–Harvard University, Winthrop House Renewal: Cambridge, MA
–Princeton University, Lewis Center for the Arts: Princeton, NJ
–New York University, NYU 2031 Masterplan: New York, NY
–Rockefeller University, Research Center Rooftop: New York, NY
–University of Chicago, North Science Quad: Chicago, IL

Corporate
–50–60 Binney Street: Cambridge, MA
–75-125 Binney Street: Cambridge, MA
–225 Binney Street: Cambridge, MA
–Kendall Square Parcel C: Cambridge, MA
–Novartis Campus: Princeton, NJ
–Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research: Cambridge, MA

Urban Parks & Open Space
–Bloomingdale Trail / The 606: Chicago, IL
–CityArchRiver: St. Louis, MO
–George W. Bush Presidential Center: Dallas, TX
–United States Embassy: Mexico City, Mexico
–York Quay: Toronto, Canada
–Maggie Daley Park: Chicago, IL

Residential & Small Gardens
–103rd Street Community Garden: Harlem, NY
–Barn on Vineyard Sound: Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, MA
–East House: Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, MA
–Upstate Guest House: Dutchess County, New York
–Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Monks Garden: Boston, MA
–West Chop Residence: Martha’s Vineyard, MA
–West Chop Woods Residence: Martha’s Vineyard, MA