Mikiel Deguara is a registered Landscape Architect in Oregon with 15+ years of experience in landscape design and implementation. He believes landscapes not only connect us to nature but also strengthen community.

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Over his career, Mikiel has reimagined built and natural environments to reflect his clients diverse needs while improving ecological health. He is fascinated by how people engage with their landscapes — whether to observe, entertain, or immerse themselves — and designs with both immediate experiences and long-term growth in mind. His work highlights the dialogue between hardscape and plantings, fostering connection, beauty, and resilient systems.

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Mikiel began his career in 2007 at Huntington + Kiest Landscape Architects in Portland, a firm specializing in high-end residential projects. He later built a freelance practice before joining Pistils Landscape Design in 2013, where he has been instrumental in shaping the studio’s growth from a two-person team to a thriving design-build firm. Registered as a Landscape Architect in Oregon since 2017, Mikiel now serves as Design Director + Senior Landscape Architect at Pistils while continuing independent projects.

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Beyond design, Mikiel finds community in the swimming pool. He is an active member of the Portland Timberfish — an LGBTQ+ USMS swim team — where he served as board member and president from 2015–22. In that role, he doubled membership, secured significant funding for team operations and scholarships, launched an online reservation system, expanded practice schedules, and steered the team through the challenges of the pandemic.

From 2012–2019, Mikiel also co-founded and organized Bridge Club, a Portland-based queer, music, and community production collective known for its immersive events blending art installations with local and international talent.