Our Team
Get to know the talented individuals behind Lattice Studio
Joanna Rechnitz
Co-Owner, PLA, LEED AP
Joanna is an accomplished landscape architect with over 20 years of experience creating sustainable and innovative outdoor spaces. A graduate of the University of Oregon, she began her career in Colorado before moving to Austin to join the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. There, she played a key role in developing the internationally acclaimed SITES Rating System, a pioneering framework for sustainable land design and development now administered globally by Green Building Certification Inc. (GBCI).
As a LEED Accredited Professional, Joanna brings expertise in integrating sustainability into projects of all scales, from intimate residential gardens to large public spaces. She is committed to blending thoughtful design with collaborative client engagement to create landscapes that seamlessly balance natural and human systems. Outside of the studio, Joanna and her husband, Andrew, are proud supporters and the biggest fans of their kids’ soccer teams.
Courtney DiSabato
Co-Owner, Head of Operations
Courtney brings two decades of leadership experience in Austin’s arts, nonprofit, and retail sectors to her role as head of operations and client relations at Lattice. She believes that the client experience is as important as the project’s outcome, leading with empathy, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to quality. For Courtney, the greatest reward is celebrating with clients the joy of a beautifully completed project.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a specialization in art history, Courtney also serves as a board leader for Big Medium, a nonprofit championing contemporary art and artists throughout Austin and Texas. An avid traveler, she draws inspiration for garden design from the diverse landscapes she explores around the globe.
Elona Rose
Head of Plants & Maintenance
Elona is a lifelong Austinite with deep expertise in sustenance gardening and native plants. Since joining the studio in 2017, she has cultivated a passion for flowers and edible gardens, bringing enthusiasm and dedication to every project.
When she’s not tending to client landscapes, Elona enjoys spending time in her own garden, surrounded by her children and a lively flock of chickens.
Alejandro Nieri
Head of Construction
Since 2010 Alejandro has led the studio’s construction and hardscape team with precision and creativity. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a bachelor’s in fine arts, he is a veteran welder and an expert in drainage systems and stonework. Known for his problem-solving skills, Alejandro excels at turning complex logistical challenges into seamless results.
Outside of work, Alejandro enjoys time at the beach, sharing adventures with his son, and indulging in his love of mashed potatoes.
Julie Blakeslee
Designer
Julie Blakeslee is a dedicated landscape designer and hands-on gardener with a passion for creating timeless, functional outdoor spaces. Julie planted the seeds of the studio in 2010, and in 2020 she transitioned ownership to Joanna and Courtney, allowing her to return to her design roots. As a partner landscape designer, she remains deeply committed to serving Lattice clients with her extensive plant knowledge and innovative eye for color and texture.
In addition to her work with Lattice, Julie refurbishes homes and designs interiors through her own company, Julie Blakeslee Projects. Based in Austin, she shares her home with her husband, John Spong, her two sons, Willie Mo and Leon, two cats, one dog, ten chickens, two parakeets, and an abundance of plants.