Clarke Environmental Design, Inc.

Oceanside, California
by Photo Credit: Clarke Environmental Design, Inc.

Harlow Gardens; Palm Springs, CA
Harlow Gardens is the first addiction treatment facility in downtown Palm Springs and the first to feature a garden theme. The project consisted of merging two existing hotels into one large campus. One of the hotels is a historic property previously owned by Jean Harlow. The buildings were taken down to studs and rebuilt to meet current code and healthcare facility standards. The gardens were taken down to dirt and a pool shell while preserving or relocating as many mature trees as possible. The resulting soothing garden microclimate is so different than the rest of the desert, one cannot help but relax and take in the views of the garden and mountains beyond.

Murphy Canyon YMCA; San Diego, CA

 
The original project scope consisted of replacing a deteriorated play structure in a small sand pit. A site analysis revealed untapped potential, and ideas for a much larger site design were met with enthusiasm. The team obtained a grant to double the funds for the playground, and an owner of the Padres MLB team offered to get involved, with pitcher Joe Musgrove donative generous personal funds. The result tripled the size of the original playground while adding play spinners and climbers in a padded turf area, an outdoor shaded classroom, a lunch area, a whiffle ball field, a soccer field, a Gaga Ball pit, and a Torrey Pine grove.

Silverado Villas; San Ysidro, CA
Silverado Villas is an urban infill project that sits adjacent to a busy freeway. Special attention was given in collaboration with the project architect to use plant material as much as possible for visual screening and to soften a very chaotic surrounding space for residents to have somewhere they can garden on their balconies or in shared open spaces. Finding niches to carve out for nature on-site is crucial for people to relax outdoors and see landscape in the foreground that is designed to look calm and relaxing. When people get home from a long day, it's nice to have a calm garden to sit in and enjoy with your family, pet, or book.

Aviara Point Residence; Carlsbad, CA
This residence is the second house redesigned for this client by Clarke Environmental Design. The client gave large artistic license for the design, utilizing multiple rare plants and placing enough overhead plants to create the site's own microclimate in each garden space. The house feels like a Spanish Colonial castle and features a bromeliad garden as well as a custom Spanish tile fountain with tiles by Michael King and his daughter Naomi Morales. The owners love sitting in the house because the design makes it feel like they are sitting in the garden.

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Harlow Gardens; Palm Springs, CA
Harlow Gardens is the first addiction treatment facility in downtown Palm Springs and the first to feature a garden theme. The project consisted of merging two existing hotels into one large campus. One of the hotels is a historic property previously owned by Jean Harlow. The buildings were taken down to studs and rebuilt to meet current code and healthcare facility standards. The gardens were taken down to dirt and a pool shell while preserving or relocating as many mature trees as possible. The resulting soothing garden microclimate is so different than the rest of the desert, one cannot help but relax and take in the views of the garden and mountains beyond.

2 / 4

Murphy Canyon YMCA; San Diego, CA
The original project scope consisted of replacing a deteriorated play structure in a small sand pit. A site analysis revealed untapped potential, and ideas for a much larger site design were met with enthusiasm. The team obtained a grant to double the funds for the playground, and an owner of the Padres MLB team offered to get involved, with pitcher Joe Musgrove donative generous personal funds. The result tripled the size of the original playground while adding play spinners and climbers in a padded turf area, an outdoor shaded classroom, a lunch area, a whiffle ball field, a soccer field, a Gaga Ball pit, and a Torrey Pine grove.

3 / 4

Silverado Villas; San Ysidro, CA
Silverado Villas is an urban infill project that sits adjacent to a busy freeway. Special attention was given in collaboration with the project architect to use plant material as much as possible for visual screening and to soften a very chaotic surrounding space for residents to have somewhere they can garden on their balconies or in shared open spaces. Finding niches to carve out for nature on-site is crucial for people to relax outdoors and see landscape in the foreground that is designed to look calm and relaxing. When people get home from a long day, it's nice to have a calm garden to sit in and enjoy with your family, pet, or book.

4 / 4

Aviara Point Residence; Carlsbad, CA
This residence is the second house redesigned for this client by Clarke Environmental Design. The client gave large artistic license for the design, utilizing multiple rare plants and placing enough overhead plants to create the site's own microclimate in each garden space. The house feels like a Spanish Colonial castle and features a bromeliad garden as well as a custom Spanish tile fountain with tiles by Michael King and his daughter Naomi Morales. The owners love sitting in the house because the design makes it feel like they are sitting in the garden.

Clarke Environmental Design, Inc. specializes in restorative, nature driven designed environments. Their work centers on creating landscapes that strengthen the connection between people and the natural world, with a particular focus on healing gardens, children's outdoor space, and comfortable microclimates that support year round use. They enjoy creating unique spaces and appreciate long-term relationships with clients. For high-density/infill situations, the team strives to pull their clients out of chaotic environments and let them enjoy a space they can call their own. Drawing on experience across parks, commercial developments, municipal projects, and residential gardens throughout California and the Southwest, Sean Clarke, PLA, has led his design studio with a commitment to thoughtful design that promotes comfort, curiosity, and well being.
Employees: PLAs (1), Principals (1); Total (4)
Software used: AutoCAD, Photoshop

As seen in LASN magazine, August 2026.