We are Interactive Landscapes, a full service Design/Build Landscape Company with a Contractor's license in the State of California.
Based in Berkeley CA, our firm services the East Bay, San Francisco, Marin County and selected project on the South Bay in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
Our professional staff has a broad range of education, experience and skill sets. Our field crew consists of self-motivated carpenters, masons, plumbers, electricians, irrigation technicians, horticulturists, etc. The diversity of individuals and experts is enabling us to go from initial design, through the accompanying bureaucracy to final installation using only our own resource. The continuous strive to find the uniqueness in each individual project is allowing us to bring fresh, innovative, and creative ideas in a cost effective way.
Bring us your ideas, dreams, and wishes for your outdoor space and we will work closely with you to make them become a reality. We guarantee that you will love working with us and that you will rediscover the charm of your own backyard and outdoor space.
Neli Maneva graduated from the University of Forestry in Sofia, Bulgaria with a Masters of Science in Landscape Architecture. She met her husband, Stan Manev, at school, and together they started their careers in Giro-M (a landscape design and installation firm) managing and designing landscaping projects in different cities in Bulgaria.
Neli and Stan moved to South Carolina in 2010, where they continued with their landscaping careers, working at Blue Dot Landscaping. Neli continued her professional education by becoming a Autodesk, AutoCAD certified professional and certified plant care herbicide applicator with Clemson University. In Blue Dot, she helped conceive and create numerous beautiful gardens and landscapes and worked as a landscape designer and horticulturist.
After relocating to California in 2013, Neli enrolled in UC Berkeley and took plant material class, after which she worked at the City of Albany as a tree care specialist. Her comprehensive knowledge of plants, combined with her education and firsthand experience from three distant climate zones throughout the world distinguish her as an indisputable specialist in this area.
Neli is also interested in the growing movement towards sustainable practices. Neli met Todd Britt while volunteering on a variety of projects, including rainwater catchment and grey water systems, aquaponics, living walls, and natural building materials. In addition she has taken the Grey Water Certification Course administered by the QWEL program of the EPA.
In 2013, Neli became a licensed as a Landscape Contractor in the State of California and together with Stan started Interactive Landscapes.
Neli, Stan, and Todd have been working on professional projects since 2014. Their complementary and cross-disciplinary skill sets have allowed them to successfully execute several creative and challenging projects, while continuing to develop best practices in resource conservation and environmental sustainability.
Prior to this, Neli spent 4 years studying Japanese at Eastern Languages High School in Sofia. She maintains her interest towards the Asian culture and often implements the unique symbolism in her gardens. Some of Neli's favorite things to do are Origami and Ikebana.
Stan Manev graduated from the University of Forestry in Sofia, Bulgaria with a Masters of Science in Landscape Architecture. He met his wife, Neli Maneva, at school, and together they started their careers in Giro-M (a landscape design and installation firm) managing and designing landscaping projects in different cities in Bulgaria. Stan interned with the landscape architect at Giro-M, where he prepared construction documents and did project management for large landscaping projects like public parks. In particular Stan spent significant time working on envisioning and creating rock gardens and water features.
After Stan and Neli moved to South Carolina in 2010, Stan started working for Blue Dot Landscaping. During his stay there, he obtained additional training in different areas of the landscaping profession. He completed training programs as a certified paver and retaining wall installer with ICPI and NCMA. In February 2012, he became a certified LEED Green Associate and in the beginning of 2013 he obtained Autodesk certification in 3DS MAX.
In 2013, when Stan and Neli moved to California, Stan continued his professional career working as a landscape designer and project manager for one of the most well respected contractors in Marin County, Rainbow Landscape and Better Than Real Artificial Grass.
Stan’s extensive knowledge in construction, drainage, irrigation, plants, etc. has enabled him to successfully complete numerous residential and commercial projects in San Francisco, Tiburon, Sausalito, Corte Madera, Mill Valley, Novato, San Rafael and more. In addition, he has planned and managed artificial turf installations over the entire bay area from Santa Rosa to Petaluma and down south to Santa Cruz and Monterey.
In 2014, Stan became a Bay-Friendly Qualified Landscape Design Professional, whose recommended Bay friendly practices and principles he applies to every one of his projects.
Stan and Neli started their own landscape design and installation firm, Interactive Landscapes, in 2014, where together, along with Todd Britt, they bring their unique experience and skills to a variety of landscaping projects.
TESTIMONIALS
Matthew G.
Interactive Landscapes, which had previously done some excellent retaining-wall work for us, solved a longstanding drainage issue at our house. After sizing up our lot and getting details about our regular wintertime flooding, Stan and his team figured out how to redirect backyard runoff away from our house--voila, no more water in the basement. And at very reasonable price, too.Read More
Total backyard remodel
I first heard of Interactive Landscapes through my sister who used them for her backyard remodel. At first I was hesitant because I thought that it would be beyond my budget, however, I am so glad I had hired them for my backyard because not only was it a reasonable cost for the work done, it increased the value of my home far beyond what it cost! The entire process was seamless, from the introduction and quote all the way through the design process and completion of the project. I couldn't believe how much they got done in the span of a few weeks! I had considered trying to save money by sub-contracting out different aspects of the design, but am so happy I didn't, these guys do it all, and they do it to perfection. I had pavers, gravel, artificial grass, a deck that was built custom around my hot tub, fire pit area, IPE walls built around an outdoor shower, and an absolutely beautiful choice of landscape plants to blend it all into an Oasis that I couldn't have imagined before. I was given a choice of designs and we worked together to ultimately decide which was best. One of the greatest things about this company is their professionalism. The crew showed up each day and always had a smile, they work so hard, never complained, were clean and well organized and a pleasure to have around. I entertain guests and friends in the yard and one of the consistent compliments I get is how nicely designed the backyard space is. Using Interactive Landscapes is the best decision I have ever made for my home.
Stan is cool, calm and collected. He is able to achieve incredible results and without putting any pressure on the client. Good people can be hard to find and Stan, Neli and crew are as good as they get. Highly recommend!!Read More
Tony
Stan and Neli were an absolute pleasure to work with from design all the way through completion. They provided helpful suggestions and examples during the design phase and then worked with us to put something together we were truly thrilled about. Our project was large - a new fence, deck, retaining wall, and significant landscaping and everything turned out perfectly. They were even incredibly helpful and accommodating when we wanted to make small alterations to the plan as the project progressed and we could begin to see it taking shape. I can't possibly recommend them highly enough.Read More
Richard
Stan was great to work with. Originally we just talked about artificial grass. But when we wanted to convert our sprinklers to drip and some other things he was very accommodating. He finished on time and we are so pleased with the work. Highly recommend this companyRead More
Devon McLaughlin
Stan and Neli listened to our goals for our backyard project and took the time to work through our changing design ideas as the project evolved. Interactive Landscapes is a very appropriate name for their business. They turned our muddy, sloping backyard into a beautiful, low maintenance space for small gatherings.
Once the design was finalized and work began, the crew showed up and worked from 8 am to 4 pm every weekday until the job was done. Most importantly, it was a pleasure working with Stan and Neli.
We particularly appreciated that the contract included a detailed list of project activities and their associated costs that was updated weekly as work progressed and changes were made.Read More
