Saddleback

Spanning 5,300 acres, RVi intricately designed the landscape and character for a master planned community that focuses on preservation of the surrounding desert environment and effortless outdoor access for future residents.

GOALS

Reimagining desert living, one of the developer’s main goals was to build a community where trail access was widely available. Creating a space where nature is not only accessible but thoughtfully incorporated was a driving factor behind the community’s design. Through thoughtful landscape design contributing to the place identity, also aimed to create an area where the preservation and replanting of thousands of native trees, cacti, saguaros, and other native flora was possible.

OUTCOMES

With inspiration from the unique desert landscape of Arizona, RVi is supporting Castle Hill Partners through sustainable landscape architecture services. The community is organized into 14 villages connected by over 60 miles of trails with gathering areas scattered throughout. By connecting the neighborhoods, parks, scenic overlooks, and natural preserves, the trails will weave the site together and instill a stronger sense of community connectedness. Centralized within the villages, the Base Camp Amenity Center offers a wide range of activities with the inclusion of a food truck court with seating, open lawn spaces, a resort style pool, splash pad, fire pit, grilling stations, active lifestyle trails, and more.

Throughout the community, our design works with the natural landscape, never against it, to create an exceptional desert-living experience. Thousands of plants, including centuries-old saguaros, palo verdes, and ironwoods, are carefully geotagged, relocated to an on-site nursery, and nurtured until they can be thoughtfully reintroduced throughout the community. Additionally, open space areas are preserved to keep areas untouched and to keep the effort’s environmental impact as small as possible. With Saddleback’s unique and intricate design, the desert feels like it is brought to life to mark a new chapter in desert living.