To address the comment that (Southern) California LA’s act like decorators, one reason for that perception may be Los Angeles’ reputation as a fundamentally “private” city that lacks open space despite its beautiful setting–there are simply more opportunities for high end residential than for public work. Firms like Mia Lehrer and Ahbe as you mentioned are changing that perception, just as Gehry and others did for Los Angeles architecture. To your list I would add Rios Clementi Hale Studios, Pamela Burton, KSA, Dry Design, Melinda Taylor, and Orange Street Studio. (I’m sure there are others I’m forgetting.)
The “much less environmentally conscious” comment is just wrong. Every firm that I know of is incorporating sustainable practices into their firm, and the UCLA Extension Landscape Architecture program and Cal Poly both have a strong environmental emphasis.
