Amidst the buzz of an active residential market in Houston, Rise Communities is standing out from the crowd with their two new master planned communities, Cane Island and Meridiana.  Winner of the 2016 GHBA Community of the Year, Cane Island has set a new standard for forward-thinking planning, inspired architectural design, and creative amenities.  And after opening its first model homes in 2016, Meridiana is poised to chart its own path to success with an emphasis on learning and exploration via learning labs, a conservatory, and amenities that connect residents with nature.  This month, we sat down with Dan Naef, President of Rise Communities to talk about his approach to the market, his differentiation strategy, and why he enjoys working with RVi.

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BY DREW CARMAN, PLA

When asked the familiar question, “What do you do?” many landscape architects will attest to the need for further explanation beyond the simple “I’m a landscape architect.”  Personally, my response is typically qualified with an explanation of park, trail and open space design, working with local municipalities, and a description of the role of a project manager in construction administration.  Although I don’t always feel the need to expand this definition, I can’t help but be envious of those complex fields of work whose titles, at least at a broad level, are unquestionably clear. Doctors treat the sick. Lawyers uphold the rule of law. Teachers teach the unlettered. In these jobs, simply saying one’s profession can be enough explanation in and of itself.

As landscape architects, we wear many hats. Our understanding of principals of engineering and hydrology inform our grading plans. Our understanding of biological processes inform our selection of plant material. Our understanding of design principals and our general artistic nature inform our aesthetic directions. To be sure, it is a broad yet refined skillset required of those designated as Landscape Architects. But this designation was not always so.

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BY HALEY BARTLEY

In recognition of his dedication and many contributions to RVi, we are happy to announce that Paul Cozzolino has been promoted to Principal.

Paul is a graduate of Texas A&M University’s Landscape Architecture program and officially began his career with RVi in our Austin office in 2009. A native of the Dallas area, Paul also has a history with NJB, the firm RVi acquired in 2014, having worked as an intern in their office on multiple occasions throughout college.

Paul spent five years in our Austin office, working on everything from trails to master planned communities and was a part of exciting projects like Camp Lucy, Houston National Cemetery, Belterra, Scott & White Healing Garden, and Pflugerville Park & Trail Planning. As his passion for creating people spaces and his personal commitment to social responsibility grew, he was promoted to Project Manager in 2012, the same year his first son Jack was born.

When RVi and NJB joined forces in 2014, Paul had the opportunity to head back to Dallas to help lead the new office. His promotion to Project Director coincided with his move to North Texas in 2015, and later that same year, Paul was asked to be part of the Texas A&M University Landscape Architecture Professional Advisory Board (PAB).

He has been married to his wife, Jodi, for 7 years and has two children, Jack (4) and Ian (2). On the weekends, you can find him hunting, fishing, gardening, and bike riding with his family.

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