SITEdesign studio Inc.
Tustin, Calif.

SITEdesign studio, a multifaceted landscape architectural design firm with broad professional capabilities and experience, is celebrating 7 years in business. SDS has grown from the two founding principals, Mike Sullivan and Hector Baeza, to a 12-person firm working in commercial, residential, mixed use, recreation/resort and international developmental work. The firm’s design focus is commercial renovation that implements sustainable features affecting drainage, stormwater retention, rain harvesting, solar canopies, ecohabitat planting, irrigation design and design-intent maintenance guidelines. Residential work includes affordable housing and the custom home market.

Torrey Pines, La Jolla, Calif.
The landscape design for this bioresearch office campus recreated a sophisticated oak woodland and ornamental grass meadows experience. The site is adjacent to the Torrey Pines Golf Course, with the Pacific Ocean as a spectacular backdrop. The project incorporates the design practice of “shakkei,” to capture “nature alive,” and visually and experientially “expand” a site property. The diverse plantings have established calm, relaxing, intellectually inspiring and spiritually dynamic outdoor spaces for people to stroll and enjoy during the course of the working day, or for informal outdoor gatherings. The biodiversity has increased the native bird population by 25 percent.

Shady Canyon Residence, Irvine, Calif.
Local stone, terra cotta and plantings of olives, oaks and sycamores for this residence evoke Tuscany and California, celebrating their similar climates and geography and engaging the cultural backgrounds of the owners. The custom residential design offers intimate spaces for alfresco dining and reflection. The landscape design emphasizes a stone wall and pool to reinforce the natural hillside. The pool is sourced by a long runnel, its “source” at one end of the property falling into the pool at the other.

Tangyu Springs Resort, Xian, China
SITEdesign studio inc. is currently working on three master plan communities in China, including Tangyu in Xian, which has a residential, commercial and destination resort Venetian water canal theme. Several housing types overlook a central canal and lagoon. Resort visitors are transported via gondola to their distinct vacation villas located off the boardwalk-lined canal. The residents enjoy mountain views, the region’s many hot springs and the famous terracotta warriors. The master plan integrates the site’s topography to maximize views, enhance the canal edge walking experience, create outdoor pedestrian spaces, feature aqueduct fountains and retain hillside woodland groves.

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