Dave McConnell, RLA
Dave is the principal and lead designer with HABITAT. He is a registered landscape architect with over 20 years of experience in the field.
Dave has an enormous breadth of experience covering major transportation infrastructure projects, park planning and construction, wetlands mitigation, downtown revitalization plans, estate design , and residences.
He was a Director of Landscape Architecture for NYC Parks and a Senior Instructor with the New York Botanical Garden, and his work has been recognized by the New York City Public Design Commission, the Municipal Arts Society of New York, the National Parks Service, and the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Elissa Henebry
Director of Furnishings, Finishes, and Interior Design Coordination
Elissa is an independent designer and artist, who brings degrees in the psychology of art, special education, and interior design to years of experience on both residential and commercial projects, to the HABITAT team.
She has worked on projects from civic institutions to staging rental apartments, and her joy comes from the problem-solving process and bringing real and meaningful satisfaction to her clients, on time and on budget. Elissa has a knack for decluttering and organizing, helping her clients create spaces that encourage access, utility, and a sense of well-being through composition and beauty. All are welcome to visit her evolving website at www.elissahenebry.com and Henebry A + ID.
Elissa finds inspiration in nature, travel, lively conversation, and admiring the work of other creatives, such as Rita Grendze, Paul Klee, Meredith Fife Day, Clyfford Still, and Jeanne Gang, and so many others. She currently lives in the Denver Metro area where she enjoys hiking, skiing, terrific food, and rich culture with close friends and her significant other.
Steve Brophy
Director of Construction and Fabrication
Steve heads up construction and fieldwork for HABITAT. He comes to the team after a successful career as a restaurateur and farmer in the Hudson Valley.
Steve’s farm to table approach to his menu developed into a love for working outdoors. He studies and practices traditional dry stack stone wall techniques, and is an advocate for low impact building techniques.
Nick is an award-winning landscape architect and environmental planner with more than thirty years of experience in wildlife conservation, land planning and site design. His current work focuses on sustainable site design, affordable housing, country estates and agriculturally focused landscapes. Nick was a faculty member at both the Rhode Island School of Design and Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, where he received his Masters degree with Distinction. He holds undergraduate degrees from the University of Connecticut and the State University of New York at Cobleskill.
Nick's work has been featured in Architectural Record and The New York Times. He served in many volunteer positions and community organizations including Chief of the Banksville Fire Dept, Executive Board member of CTASLA, NY State Council of Landscape Architects, Chairman of the New Milford Facilities Utilization Committee, Co-Chair of the New Milford Plan of Conservation and Development Committee, Chair of the Bee City Committee and member of the New Milford Farmland and Forest Preservation Committee. In his spare time he raises sheep on a 200-acre farm in New Milford.
Nick Pouder, RLA
Senior Design Consultant and Director of Wetlands, Sustainable Agriculture, and Urban ecology
Lily McConnell
Staff Designer and Historic and Cultural Preservation Specialist.
Lily is currently studying Cultural and Historic Preservation and Fine Arts at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. She will have graduated by the time you read this.
She loves to unearth the history of things, looking for the character of places and understanding their archeology.
She is also an accomplished painter. You can connect with her work through her website https://www.lilymcconnellstudios.com/