Water and the American Southwest have long shared a tenuous relationship. It is no secret that water demand in desert cities like Phoenix cannot be met entirely from local sources and therefore, water must be imported from sources sometimes hundreds or even thousands of miles away. These imported sources have historically provided an abundance of... Read Full Post ›
I am happy to share that I worked with Dr. Galen Newman, Associate Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at Texas A&M University, on a yearlong project to document innovative design solutions applied worldwide to mitigate sea-level rise. The book, Design for Sea Level Rise: Global Innovative Solutions is authored by... Read Full Post ›
We’re proud of our colleague Ryan Seacrist, PLA, who was recently named to Orlando Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list for 2022. The award aims to highlight some of the most influential young business leaders in Central Florida each year. As the Director of Florida Operations for RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture, Ryan has helped lead the... Read Full Post ›
In November 2007, residents moved into the first houses of the new Mueller neighborhood, on the site of the former Robert Mueller Municipal Airport (RMMA) in Austin, Texas. Shortly thereafter, I joined them as another Mueller “pioneer.” We signed contracts without seeing any homes, without seeing all the parks, the shops…we signed on the strength... Read Full Post ›
At the core of a good partnership is the ability to combine diverse resources in ways that will not only help the relationship provide more impact, but will create more comprehensive designs, achieve greater sustainability, and provide enhanced value to the built environment. At RVi, we strive to maximize our value-creation, often working hand in... Read Full Post ›
As temperatures cool and we steadily approach the true winter months, I find myself wondering what keeps our landscapes visually interesting during this time? Winter landscapes in Texas can often appear bare and sullen, however if you take a closer look they reveal rather interesting forms and textures. This typical barren landscape was witnessed firsthand... Read Full Post ›
While recently enjoying a fishing trip on the Gulf Coast, it occurred to me that I had no clue as to where we were located within the bay. As a land planner this struck me as unsettling. I felt totally at the mercy of our guide to properly direct us where we were heading, and... Read Full Post ›
What exactly is GIS you might ask? Previously, you may have heard that word and thought of a pretty map, or that obscure software that municipal agencies use, or honestly had no idea. Today, you should hear GIS and think of the power of data and “location intelligence”! Geographic Information Systems, or GIS for short, is at its core a digital representation of the physical world. Most people are very familiar with Google Maps or... Read Full Post ›
I was working remotely from home…surely, I would need a “distraction” of some kind to keep me occupied during the pandemic? Luckily, I was able to buy a 1972 Yamaha 360 motorcycle (running, but in need of renovation). I have been enamored with this bike’s classic aesthetic since I was a teenager, but it’s also... Read Full Post ›
