Landscape architect Nate Cormier, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP, has joined the leadership of Los Angeles-based Rios Clementi Hale Studios to bring his perspective to the design of parks, streetscapes, civic spaces, and plazas. His talent for telling stories of place through landscape architecture grew from his civic activism and experiences living in communities that seldom attract the attention of the design community.

"As a new principal landscape architect, Nate brings incredible energy and depth to our team," says firm founder Mark Rios, FAIA, FASLA. "His divergent interests"?ufrom Japanese gardens to the future of urbanism"?uwill expand our practice and lead us in new directions."

Before joining Rios Clementi Hale Studios, Cormier spent two decades working on parks, nature preserves, transit station areas, educational and research facilities, and public spaces for large and small firms in Seattle and Los Angeles, including SvR Design panerai replica watches Company and AECOM, respectively. He views landscape architecture as a way to shape cities at the scale of where people live, rather than as a design pursuit focused solely on plantings.

"Landscape architects can tell new stories about how we share the city and the natural environment surrounding our housing, streets, parks, and schools. We can nudge our neighbors and policy-makers toward more equitable and sustainable living," Cormier says.

At Rios Clementi Hale Studios, Cormier is applying his experience to projects such as the Palm Springs City Park at the heart of the California desert city. The future public space will feature the historic Aluminaire House (A. Lawrence Kocher/Albert Frey, 1931), along with spaces to accommodate events ranging from rallies and festivals to outdoor concerts.

"The park will allow people to come together to enjoy civic activities and performances in a place that expresses an authentic story about the rise of this city as an inviting oasis in the desert," says Cormier.

For more information visit www.rchstudios.com.