JONATHAN BUSSELL
FOUNDER & LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
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Raised in the rural south, Jonathan spent his youth outdoors. Hunting, fishing, playing sports, and exploring the woods near his home of Sandersville, Georgia, he fostered a deep appreciation for the natural world and an understanding of a sense of place.
Jonathan graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. After graduation, Jonathan thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail from Springer Mountain in Georgia to the northern terminus on Mt. Katahdin in Maine. Once back in the “real world,” Jonathan spent years learning the craft of residential landscape design as an apprentice under Richard Anderson before starting his practice in 2010. With over twenty years of professional experience, Jonathan has designed residential landscapes and private gardens throughout the Southeast.
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Jonathan enjoys spending time with his wife Andrea and their two daughters, Julia and Ella. In his free time, you might find Jonathan hiking the trails near the Chattahoochee River, sporting earplugs at a cheerleading competition, or gathered around a fire with like-hearted brothers.
NORA GELLONA
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER
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Nora graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. Her professional journey includes roles in garden design and non-profits. She is also a fine gardener, with a passion for horticulture.
Born in Santiago, Chile, Nora was raised in the American Southeast and has worked in both Santiago and Atlanta. Backpacking along the Andes through Patagonia, she found inspiration in the serene and powerful untouched wilderness. Her family’s home and garden are a testament to her love for creating residential spaces that foster connection and enjoyment. Designed with entertainment and outdoor cooking in mind, her garden serves as a vibrant backdrop for family holidays and birthday celebrations.
On the weekends, you might find Nora chatting with neighbors at the Freedom Farmers Market, experimenting with new recipes for friends, or hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she often revisits Lake Santeetlah.
CHARLES K. HAWLEY
PROJECT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
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After graduating from The University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture, Charles began work with Jonathan Bussell Landscape Architect. This was followed by a stint with Alex Smith Garden Design, Ltd. After learning about the design-build process and intricate garden designs from the Georgia coast to North Carolina mountains with Alex Smith, Charles returned to Jonathan Bussell Landscape Architects.
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A Mountain Brook, Alabama native, Charles’ love for residential landscape architecture was influenced by landscape architect Warren H. Manning’s master plans that focused on creating small villages nestled among large residential lots in a natural environment. Emphasis on the natural beauty of the area’s woodlands, streams, and mountains was paramount. Residential lots borrowed the surrounding scenery, but within the lots southern classical gardens predominated. With this environment as a foundation, coupled with his grandmothers’ love for gardening and fathers’ insistence on world travel, Charles’ love for landscapes flourished.
Outdoor space creation and the harmony between a built and natural environment are what drives his professional interests. Outside of work, Charles enjoys spending time with his wife (who is also a landscape architect), son (who just turned a year old), and cat (who also enjoys the natural world once on a leash).