Ampersand Modern Workspace Campus
San Diego, Calif.
This is a re-imaging of the iconic San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper offices and printing press into a 330,000 square-foot creative office complex. In collaboration with the project architect, LCI developed a story for the site design that connects our client's vision with the Union-Tribune's rich history, San Diego River, trolley, and trail system. The landscape scope area encompassed over 3.5 acres of outdoor spaces and planting within an overall site area of 14 acres. LCI themed the central courtyard, entitled the Riverlands, as an abstract connection to the adjacent San Diego River and local outdoor culture. It has an organic 'river-like' flow which stretches from south to north ends and winds through the parking spine with a connection planned for a future river trail phase. The Press Building courtyard was previously where the U-T printing press machine operated. Entitled, Press City, this courtyard has an urban industrial character with a modern flow, abstracting the stories rolling off the printing spools and into the community. A variety of spaces provide tenants with opportunities for outdoor working, socializing, gaming, relaxing, and reflecting. The plant palette is a mix of drought tolerant, California friendly materials; grasses mixed with agaves, accent trees, and colorful sensory plantings. Additionally, portions of the landscape provide a mix of culinary plantings and fruit trees to complement a future craft caf??(C) and/or restaurant.

Ampersand Modern Workspace Campus
San Diego, Calif.
This is a re-imaging of the iconic San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper offices and printing press into a 330,000 square-foot creative office complex. In collaboration with the project architect, LCI developed a story for the site design that connects our client's vision with the Union-Tribune's rich history, San Diego River, trolley, and trail system. The landscape scope area encompassed over 3.5 acres of outdoor spaces and planting within an overall site area of 14 acres. LCI themed the central courtyard, entitled the Riverlands, as an abstract connection to the adjacent San Diego River and local outdoor culture. It has an organic 'river-like' flow which stretches from south to north ends and winds through the parking spine with a connection planned for a future river trail phase. The Press Building courtyard was previously where the U-T printing press machine operated. Entitled, Press City, this courtyard has an urban industrial character with a modern flow, abstracting the stories rolling off the printing spools and into the community. A variety of spaces provide tenants with opportunities for outdoor working, socializing, gaming, relaxing, and reflecting. The plant palette is a mix of drought tolerant, California friendly materials; grasses mixed with agaves, accent trees, and colorful sensory plantings. Additionally, portions of the landscape provide a mix of culinary plantings and fruit trees to complement a future craft caf??(C) and/or restaurant.

Los Cerritos Center
Cerritos, Calif.
Over the last 15 years, LCI has participated in several iterations of refresh, renovation and expansion at the center, originally built in 1971. LCI has inventoried all existing plant materials, determined those to be protected in place and worked with the city staff on a long-term plan for tree replacement species and quantities. The plant palette has transitioned over these multiple site development efforts to be colorful, interesting, drought tolerant and water efficient. New site amenities, paving upgrades and outdoor seating were also included. Project areas of focus included: drive approaches, perimeter planting, pedestrian plaza redevelopment at mall entries, pad site implementation and interior planters. A new 'smart' Irrigation control system along with water efficient valves and heads was also implemented to reduce water demand and costs from ongoing operations. Water conservation along with attractive/low maintenance and drought tolerant plantings were a key goal of the revitalization.

Agensys Biotech Facility
Santa Monica, Calif.
Once a water heater manufacturer and then used as a film set for television shows, the 160,000 square foot project consolidated the office, research, laboratory and manufacturing of Agensys. Kite Pharma now occupies the building. The campus features a pedestrian pathway, a public caf??(C), and a public, rotating sculpture garden showcasing art by local artists. Next to the site is Bergamont Station, a facility that houses several art galleries. LCI worked with the design team to develop the site and sustainability solutions for hardscape and landscape. The city approved the proposed design at the first ARB review meeting. The state-of-the art facility was designed to achieve LEED???+ Silver certification and emphasized sustainability. LCI received a Los Angeles Business Council '2013 Under Construction Award of Excellence' for "outstanding architecture and design that significantly enhances the Los Angeles community's urban environment."

Marina Park
Marina del Rey, Calif.
An existing two-building office campus was re-imaged with a new outdoor plaza connecting the buildings and tenants (previously parking). The plaza provides tenants with amenities designed to create a more collective way to work and relax. Main entries to both buildings were also renovated from existing turf and overgrown plants to a more clean and contemporary landscape palette to reflect building upgrades. Collaborating with the project architect, the new "Ribbon" plaza was designed to encourage movement between inside and outside, creating additional workspace for meeting and collaboration, as well as for relaxation. The plant materials are not only California friendly but provide a sensory experience through pops of color and striking texture. The hardscape also incorporates a diverse mix of materials - concrete, wood, steel, cobble - softened around the edges with flowing grasses and playful succulents. An array of Corten steel panels provides a unique screen from adjacent parking area and an opportunity for signage. LCI assisted in the design implementation, construction document preparation, agency approvals, construction administration and project close-out.

University of California, Irvine, Division of Continuing Education Building
Irvine, Calif.
Formerly known as UNEX this is recently one of UCI's LEED Platinum certified projects. The landscape concept presents an interesting and challenging hierarchy of diverse outdoor spaces. The design encompasses a major circulation access along Peltason Drive with its series of ramps and a pedestrian bridge nestled along a green corridor of mature Pines and Araucaria trees to the west. The landscape green to the north is a homogeneous blend of mature deciduous and evergreen trees that screen and buffer the Student Affairs Building, parking and utilities. The area to the East provides a secondary access/circulation edge along Adobe Circle Road. The south access adjoins a new parking area providing additional parking spaces. The site's lower and upper courtyard design incorporated landscape to visually soften, screen and provide opportunities for studying. The diverse selection of native and/or drought tolerant plant palette blends seamlessly with the existing surrounding landscape consistent with the University's "Green and Gold" sustainability guidelines. The low flow irrigation system was designed to aid in water conservation reduce maintenance costs.