Our Team

 

Tom Salaki, Principal

PLA, ASLA

Tom Salaki, PLA is the owner and founding principal of Square Acre Studio, LLC, a landscape architecture and consulting practice based in Madison, New Jersey. Trained as both a landscape architect and environmental planner, Tom brings a multifaceted, systems-based perspective to every project, ensuring that each design solution is both context-sensitive and performance-driven. With more than 20 years of professional experience, his work spans complex urban streetscapes, multi-family residential developments, institutional landscapes, and ecologically sensitive residential environments.

Since founding Square Acre Studio in 2013, Tom has built a nationally recognized consulting practice focused on the long-term performance of landscapes, particularly roof terraces and urban courtyards. He views these spaces as living laboratories, using data collected over more than a decade of post-occupancy evaluation to inform design decisions that anticipate long-term maintenance, user behavior, and landscape durability. This research-driven approach allows Square Acre Studio to deliver landscapes that are not only visually compelling, but resilient, efficient, and operationally sound.

Prior to launching Square Acre Studio, Tom served as Studio Director for the Landscape Architecture group at AECOM in New York City, where he led complex public and private projects through multi-agency approvals and construction. His leadership and collaborative approach extend across clients, architects, engineers, and contractors to ensure seamless execution from concept through stewardship.

Tom is a licensed Professional Landscape Architect in New Jersey and New York, a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and serves on the Executive Board of NJASLA. Tom holds degrees from both Penn State University (BLA) and the University of Virginia (Master Urban and Environmental Planning)

 

ELIZABETH FONTAINE, Landscape Designer

Elizabeth Fontaine is an Associate Landscape Designer at Square Acre Studio, where she plays a key role in both consulting and residential design work across the firm’s recent portfolio. With a strong background in high-end commercial landscape consulting throughout New York City, Elizabeth brings a refined eye for detail and a collaborative, client-focused approach to every project.

Since joining Square Acre Studio three years ago, Elizabeth has contributed to most of the studio’s recent work, supporting projects from early site analysis through design development, documentation, and on-site coordination. Her work bridges design intent and real-world execution, collaborating closely with contractors and consultants to develop thoughtful, site-specific strategies that respond to microclimate, plant performance, and patterns of use. Her written maintenance and site evaluation reports have helped elevate the studio’s standards for documenting landscape performance and long-term stewardship.

Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Connecticut and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Her ability to synthesize technical constraints, budget considerations, and design quality has made her an integral part of the Square Acre Studio team, contributing to the consistency and rigor of the firm’s recent commercial consulting and residential design work.

Meet the Team

  • Tom Salaki

    FOUNDER - PRINCIPAL

  • ELizabeth Fontaine

    ASSOCIATE

  • Dan Chomuk

    Horticultural Consultant

  • Jamie Salaki

    Operations