About Us

Unique Landscapes that are Down to Earth

Smith+Baker is a complete Landscape Architectural design-build company that transforms everyday outdoor spaces into unique personal retreats.

Smith+Baker was created as a collaborative effort between Eric C. Smith and Justin W. Baker in January of 2005. The intention of the collaboration was to provide an outlet for their creative passion of designing and building unique, residential landscape projects. Over the years, Smith+Baker has been able to expand its service base to provide a wide range of landscape architectural services. The humble beginning of basic landscape renovations has evolved into complete site master planning that can incorporate anything from unique landscapes to elaborate outdoor kitchen and pool design projects. Smith+Baker is a company that was founded on hard work, dedication and integrity. The company has grown by leaps and bounds by focusing on our core values, but most of all, by the kind words of our satisfied customers that continue to refer Smith+Baker to their friends and families.

Read what our clients are saying.

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Our Team

Eric C. Smith, RLA

Owner, Landscape Architect

Eric is licensed landscape architect with a Bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University’s Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture. Eric is a Baton Rouge local, growing up in what was then, the small town of Central. While growing up, Eric was exposed to several job markets including agriculture, residential construction, lawn care and landscaping. After graduation, Eric spent some time in Houston, Texas working with Gillman-Rose Landscape Architects focusing on high-end residential landscape design/build projects. The high-end market of Houston allowed Eric to expand his creativity by working on projects with no limit on the design or budget. The experience Eric has gained throughout the years, allows him to stay grounded and meet budget needs while maximizing every dollar invested with the most creative solutions for each project. In his role as co-owner, he focuses on customer relations, sales, and hardscape design.

Justin W. Baker, RLA

Owner, Landscape Architect

Justin is a licensed landscape architect with Bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University’s Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture. Justin grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina with a passion for golf and LSU football. With family roots based in Monroe, Louisiana, Justin made many trips to LSU to cheer on the Tigers. His love of LSU led him there for his college years. After Graduating from LSU, Justin worked for Edward D. Stone Jr. and Associates (EDSA) out of Baltimore, Maryland on a wide variety of community planning and urban design projects. Justin, again, returned to Louisiana to co-found Smith+Baker. In his role as co-owner, he focuses on detailed designs, design estimating, and project management. Justin is also a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Landscape Architecture’s professional society.

Caity Pinto

Office Administrator

Caity is vital member of the Smith+Baker family. She joined the firm in January of 2014 and has been an integral part of our growth and success. Originally a resident of Slidell, Caity spent some time between Louisiana and Arkansas while caring for her mother who was ill. Her mother lost her battle with Breast Cancer in 2008 and Caity returned to Louisiana. With a broad history of work experience from medical coding/billing to office management of a printing company, Caity had the skillset to become a major contributor to the success of Smith+Baker. As office administrator, she wears many hats. Caity operates as our office manager, bookkeeper, customer relations manager, HR department, and receptionist. She truly loves interacting with our customers and employees. Our core values are expressed through Caity with everything she is involved in and we are truly blessed to have her as a part of our team.

Bart Broome

Superintendent of Operations

Bart joined the Smith+Baker team in 2018. He now oversees all the operations within the company to ensure premium client satisfaction. His main focus is quality control for the maintenance department but he also lends a hand on the install side. His vast knowledge of horticulture and irrigation play a very important role in the Smith+Baker culture. Bart is a Baton Rouge native who attended Catholic high. He is married with three beautiful girls that he coaches in several sport related activities.

Vision

To be recognized as the Capital City’s most trustworthy Landscape Architecture, design/build firm.

Mission

To provide functional outdoor solutions that are unique to each customer while continually establishing ourselves as the most trustworthy design/build firm in and around the Capital City area.

Core Values

  1. Integrity – having strong moral principles and striving to always do what is right.
  2. Quality – The effort put into a creative design deserves nothing less than the best implementation.
  3. Teamwork – Internal support throughout our staff to accomplish the task at hand.
  4. Commitment – a dedication to always improve and provide the best service for our customers.

What sets us apart?

Our Design Staff:

Many customers are unaware of the benefits of working with a licensed landscape architect. Our owners are both graduates of Louisiana State University’s Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture. As landscape architects, they are trained in “spacial” development, the same as architects and interior designers. Every good design comes down to how the space will be used and how well it functions when in use. Good design truly embodies a solution for how the space will be used, whether large or small.

Our Production Staff:

The standards we have for our staff at Smith+Baker are very rare to find in our industry. By enforcing pre-employment/random drug screenings, as well as criminal background checks, we provide a secure and safe work environment for our employees and customers. Our crews are in uniform. Smoking on the job, loud music and foul language are not permitted.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Testimonial

Smith and Baker did a fabulous job landscaping around our outdoor kitchen! Your blueprints didn’t do it justice! The staff at Smith and Baker were easy to talk to. It was like they could read our mind and knew what we wanted. I have posted pictures of your work on my FB page! I would definitely give them a 5-star rating!

C. Guidry
Testimonial

I would highly recommend Smith + Baker for your future landscaping projects. They recently helped turn our embarrassing backyard into a beautiful & functional space for entertaining. Eric Smith and his employees were attentive to any questions we may have had and transformed our space in a very timely manner. When considering the cost, a little extra money spent for professional workers and attention to cleaning up daily was well worth it!

S. Gordon
Testimonial

This is the second house where I’ve had S+B build an outdoor kitchen. In both cases they did an excellent job, with strong attention to detail, quality work, and were very responsive throughout.

J. Morello
Testimonial

Smith + Baker transformed our backyard into an amazing outdoor living area! Very professional, easy to work with and trustworthy! They took extra time and paid attention to the small details that make our project dreams come true! Huge thanks to Smith Baker!!!

B. Knobles
Testimonial

Smith and Baker did an outstanding job of creating our outdoor space. They took a 9.5 by 16 foot back porch with a plain concrete floor, and created a 19 by 16 foot space that is fabulous. It involved a roof extension, gutter redo, flooring modernization, some brick work, post removal, swing relocation (which also looks fabulous in its new spot), electrical work for outlets and new lighting, hanging a TV on a bracket, and repainting. They also added a built in cabinet and granite bar that fits perfectly in a nook that was otherwise unused. We have our coffee out there in the morning, and watch our sporting events in the evening. They are honest, and take great pride in their work, as do their workers. I recommend them without reservation.

D. Corona
Testimonial

Smith and Baker did a fantastic job on our outdoor paradise. They installed a shed roof and tied into our existing roof and made it look amazing. Resurfaced our backyard to tie it all in with gorgeous landscaping, outdoor lighting and put in an outdoor kitchen and fire pit. They not only did exactly what they agreed to but they went the extra mile to make small improvements as opportunities arose. It always gives me confidence to see the owners of the company coming to the project so many times to ensure that the work is quality. I would recommend them to anyone. We were so happy we signed a maintenance contract for all of our landscaping and lawn cutting.

R. Bryant
Testimonial

We were very skeptical in our choice to use Smith and Baker due to a previous experience with an alleged reputable Baton Rouge landscape architect. Our skepticism was removed soon after choosing this firm. Eric, Justin and the entire firm caused us to feel like our project was the most important and only project they were working on. They listened to our wishes and expectations while integrating their ideas and sound building practices. Their attention to detail was over the top. The quality of the building products and plant material Smith and Baker used in the project surpassed our expectations. The crew displayed respect for our property at all times. The agreed upon price remained the same throughout the project. They also monitored the project after completion without being asked and made adjustments as needed. We look forward to working with Smith and Baker on future projects. Val and Tammy

V. Penouilh
Testimonial

Awesome company to work with. Every member of the team was professional and took pride in their work. I would highly recommend them.

R. Bailey
Testimonial

Smith and Baker designed and built our new outdoor kitchen, and we couldn’t be happier with it. In fact, it has changed our lives in that we have more gatherings because of the convenience and atmosphere the new area gives us. Smith and Baker’s professionalism, ideas, construction standards, job supervision, and communication during the entire process were excellent. We highly recommend this company!

C. Kearny
Testimonial

Smith and Baker solved our patio drainage problems and worked closely with us to develop a lovely landscape that has garnered many compliments from friends and neighbors. They were highly attentive to our desires regarding the landscape. Their crew and subcontractors were friendly, efficient, and neat. They were there when scheduled or let us know if they could not be. They were a pleasure to work with. (Note: The unfinished herb garden in the photo is on us, not S & B.)

A. Maverick
Testimonial

Justin Baker and his guys at Smith Baker performed a complete makeover on our backyard, including a pool and outdoor kitchen installation. Justin designed the pool, outdoor kitchen, landscaping, irrigation, lighting and drainage. The planning and design considerations were extensive, taking into account the size of the yard, the location of the house and how the outdoor area would interact with the existing house in term of materials used and the flow of the living area. The result is the outdoor living area appears as if it were always there and had been built and designed with the house. Justin and his entire staff was a pleasure to work with and interested in nothing but complete satisfaction from us on the project. They have many excellent craftsmen that they use to complete the many phases a large project and Justin takes care of all of the coordination and supervision. He is very hands on throughout the whole project and is very responsive and easy to reach with texts, emails or phone calls. We have used Smith Baker for 2 large jobs and I would most definitely, and have, recommended them to friends and family.

R. Simmons
Testimonial

We hired Smith & Baker to design and execute a COMPLETE overhaul of our backyard space. The landscape plan included a multi-level patio and deck, an outdoor kitchen structure, a beautiful water feature, raised planting beds, extensive subsurface drainage, irrigation and lighting. The results are AMAZING!! Working with Eric and Justin throughout the entire process was so easy. The creativity, insight, and work ethic of these two talented professionals is unparalleled. Our project was extensive, and their team managed to complete it on time and within budget! Thanks to Smith & Baker, we have the backyard of our dreams, and are looking forward to our next project with them!

K. Morgan
Testimonial

Smith and Baker did an amazing job transforming our backyard into a beautiful, tranquil, welcoming space. From planning to completion, they were great to work with and listened to what we wanted done. They ensured that drainage was taken care of, plants were in the best spots to thrive and hardscape accented the entire area beautifully. Everyone associated with their company was awesome and I would definitely recommend their services!

D. Nida