Landscape Architecture, Urban Design & Master Planning

RHDO News

News And Events

Marina Park, Newport Beach

Having completed the Schematic Design Plan for Marina Park, we are now assisting the City of Newport Beach obtain the necessary regulatory approvals. This new 10 acre park is located on the bayfront side of the newport Peninsula, and requires the approval of the California Coastal Commission, The Federal Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Army Corps of Engineers. Most people would think that a public park should be an easy approval to obtain, but easy does not mean fast. We originally began studying the potential for a park on the site with the community group Protect Our Parks in 2004. Through this effort we developed a consensus ‘vision’ between the City Council, the Newport Harbor Commission, and Protect Our Parks. The Master Plan provides a “window to the bay” the only major view opportunity to the bay on the peninsula. Other uses are proposed to include an improved sand beach, a youth sailing center, visiting vessel slips, play areas and open lawn areas for informal picnicking. We’re looking ahead to making this important resource available for the residents and guests of Newport Beach.

UCI Medical Center

This medical complex in the City of Orange has been steadily renovating and developing portions of it's campus, and we have been working hard to keep up. Specific projects we are working on include Medical Center Drive, The Comprehensive Diagnostic Center Expansion and the Chao Cancer Center. Construction will be starting up shortly; look for photos.

Vladivostok

Winning a prize for places we never thought we would have a project isThe Far Eastern Federal University, on Ruskiy Island outside of Vladivostok. We assisted in the design of a master plan for 55 hectares of park and recreation land in the area between the newly constructed University and the adjacent ocean inlet.

South Korea Waterpark

The Lotte Group of Companies is proposing to build a new Water Park in Gimhae, Korea. Working with the Cuningham Group we recently completed a Schematic Design Package that develops this Indoor & Outdoor Water Park as a tropical paradise. It's a challenge, given that the climate can be described as "only snows occasionally".

Theme Parks and Entertainment

Even in todays economy, the leisure & entertainment business is still on the radar for a lot of big movie studios. Given the the investment required, and the uncertainty of the markets, there is a certain caution and deliberation in the air, but work continues on a number of confidential projects. Building on a 15 year relationship, we have just started helping Paramount Studios explore a new opportunity.

Bangsar Shopping Center

The Bangsar Retail Center in Kuala Lumpur has opened. Sculptural fish swimming over quiet pools, striking colored planters and floating decks create memorable outdoor dining spaces in this urban Malaysian city.

Dinosaur Park

We have also been able to contribute to the ongoing renovation and development around the Dinosaur Park in Jiangsu Province, China. When dealing with an existing theme park, the work frequently alternates between the big picture and design of specific improvements. While drawing detailed plans for renovating one of the 6 lands within the park, we have also been working on the Master Plan which will double the total area of the park and adjacent retail complex, and accomodate upwards of 5 million visitors a year.

Oasis Senior Center

The main courtyard at the The Oasis Senior Center in Newport Beach. has been settling into it's role as an outdoor room, hosting a variety of activities in a pleasing, green space. The Center opened in October, and was warmly received by the community. Through extra diligence and effort by the City Staff, our design team, and Andy Blanton of Instant Jungle, we were able to use specimen palms to give the main entry a strong character, yet grow slowly enough to preserve the views of the neighbors up the hill. Achieving a Gold LEED rating means that the project is green in more ways than one.

St. Jude Medical Center

After almost three years of planning and design this campus is moving forward in multiple projects. The Northwest Tower and the Parking Garage Expansion, are both moving into construction, and the Harbor Boulevard Streetscape is being finalized. We are also working with the City of Fullerton to renovate the landscape around the adjacent City-owned tennis center.

Kovai Coimbatore

Coimbatore, India located in the farthest western reaches of the Tamil Nadu Province is the site of the Kovai Project. 400 acres that are intended to become a center for resort living and support the area's burgeoning high tech development, this project includes a full 18 holes of golf, resort villas, multifamily housing, office space and community facilities.

Hoag Memorial Hospital

Work all over the Hoag Campus in Newport Beach has been ongoing, with work proceeding on the The Advanced Technology Pavilion, The PCH Landscape Improvements, The North Campus Renovation and a New Entrance for the Heart and Vascular Center. Each of these projects has it's own specific needs, schedules and regulatory environment, but they also have to contribute to a consistent overall Hoag Landscape experience. We are particularly pleased with The Soundwall Project, completed in June of 2010, which uses a special sound reduction wall system to block the sound of the equipment at the loading dock. To all reports the neighbors are pleased with the dramatic results. WIth each of these pieces you can see a careful interplay between giving each area of the campus its own character, while interconnecting the diverse environments with consistent elements and expressions.