October eNewsletter

Do We Complete Projects, or Do They Complete Us?

BY JEFF FARR

Here at RVi, our two core services of Planning and Landscape Architecture allow us the distinct pleasure of being involved with a project from the very earliest stages of planning a raw piece of land, through construction and seeing those plans and designs come to life. However, not all projects follow this perfect linear path of being planned, designed, and constructed in one fell swoop.

I’m part of RVi’s planning team and have been involved with many master planned communities throughout my 32 years in the business. As anyone in my line of work knows, it is not uncommon for many years – even decades – to pass by without seeing a planning project come to fruition. We are all at the mercy of the economy, and projects often fall victim to unfortunate timing with market cycles. But all is not lost when projects go dormant – oftentimes new opportunities are created in recovery periods.

Highly Anticipated Ocho Makes Its Debut at Jessie Andrews Park

BY CHRIS LALICH

Mueller is an urban, mixed-use community that emerged as the result of the redevelopment of the decommissioned Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. RVi has played a critical role throughout the community’s development and in the design of over 140 acres of parks, trails, and open space, including Mueller’s newest addition, Jessie Andrews Park.

Named after the first female educator at the University of Texas, Jessie Andrews Park is the latest to join the lineup of unique neighborhood parks at Mueller. Themed after classic creature movies of the 50s and 60s, Jessie Andrews Park features an interesting mix of textures, colors, and patterns; its crowning jewel, however, is Ocho, the enormous 20-foot octopus that sits perched atop the restroom building. This steampunk-style sculpture was designed in collaboration with nationally acclaimed Texas artist Dixie Friend Gay and is part menacing monster, part Jules Verne creation ready to engulf its next prey!

One Decade in: Reflections on Being a Landscape Architect

BY BRETT GEHRING

I often find myself on the receiving end of the question, “What is your favorite thing about your job?” Like many others, I searched long and hard to find a profession that not only is creative and inspiring, but also has a profound impact on people’s lives. This is how I discovered landscape architecture. After more than a decade in the field, I have had the opportunity to experience a diversity of project and client types, and I am still discovering new things I love about my profession every day.

One of my favorite things is how landscape architecture transforms a space from a completely unusable and uninhabitable area to an amazing environment that is not only ecologically sensitive, but also awe inspiring. From the conversion of inner-city flat lots to the repurposing of old train yards and industrial facilities, we see landscape architecture’s positive transformations happening everywhere.

In Other News

Congratulations are in order!

We are thrilled to recognize the hard work and dedication of our new Project Manager - Annie Vos in Tempe!