Te-Hsuan Fred Liao

Partner / Design Director

fred.liao@platstudio.net

Fred Liao is the founder and director of PLAT Studio, a landscape architecture and urban design practice based in Northern California. Since founding PLAT in 2014, Fred has led the studio’s work across North America and Asia, shaping landscapes that bring together culture, ecology, and the evolving ways people live, work, and gather.

Born and raised in Taipei and having lived and practiced across the United States, Fred brings a perspective shaped by different landscapes, cities, and cultures. His work ranges from urban parks and public spaces to mixed-use developments, campuses, and large-scale master plans, with a particular interest in how landscape can create identity and a lasting sense of place.

Fred sees design as a process of discovery rather than the application of a predetermined style. His approach begins with understanding the particular conditions of a site—its cultural context, ecological systems, economic realities, and patterns of everyday life—and finding opportunities for these forces to shape the design. At PLAT, he leads the conceptual direction of projects while working closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams to carry ideas from early vision through implementation.

Fred received his Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was awarded the ASLA Certificate of Honor and the George Madden Boughton Prize. He is a licensed landscape architect and a LEED Accredited Professional.

Articles

• Liao, TH. 2020. The landscape architecture practice with the changing ecology and economy. Taiwan Architecture, 296, 96-99.
• Liao, TH. 2018. Low-impact development- a new chapter of stormwater management and sustainability, Landscape, 2018-I
• Liao, TH. 2017. Exploring the new landscape practice for contemporary urban development. Landscape, 2017-II
• Liao, TH. Wang, ST. Lan, SL. Z, HM. 2016. Implementing the expanding fields in the changing cities. Taiwan Architecture, 252
• Liao, TH. 2016. The landscape Infrastructure and innovation city, Landscape, 2016-I
• Liao TH. 2008. An overview of the landscape architecture education and professional practice, Urban Environment Design, 14-16
• Zhou, H. Liao, TH. 2007. Highline: From a vision to the rebirth. Urban Environment Design, 05.