Rhodeside & Harwell, Inc. (RHI) is a landscape architecture, planning, and urban design studio. Since 1986, their multidisciplinary staff has been widely recognized for creating and preserving iconic landscapes, revitalizing urban districts, and helping communities craft inspired plans for future growth and development. Guided by their founding partners - Dr. Deana Rhodeside, PLA, Faye Harwell, PLA, FASLA, and Elliot Rhodeside, PLA, FASLA - they aspire to serve at the forefront of their professions. RHI projects span the globe and have garnered more than 100 awards for excellence. Innovation and creativity are the hallmarks of their work, including breakthrough measures to heighten sustainability and resilience. RHI believes in empowering local voices and celebrating the unique history and sense of place that define communities. Today, RHI has over 35 employees in their Virginia and New York offices.

National Aquarium - Pier 3,
Baltimore, Maryland

A: The National Aquarium recently underwent a substantial renovation project that expanded the building and established a captivating new entrance along Pier 3. RHI designed a dynamic indoor/outdoor exhibit showcasing Maryland's rich ecology and an engaging outdoor exhibit highlighting the region's unique ecosystem. The pier features a reimagined vehicular drop-off and pick-up area, a tree-lined plaza, visitor contact zones, dining spaces, promenades, and interpretive exhibits. Extensive new plantings were also incorporated to offer shade and provide welcoming seating areas. This award-winning project has been lauded as a transformative civic amenity.

 
Georgetown University McDonough Bus Turnaround and Campus Gateway,
Washington, D.C.

B: Georgetown University wanted to redesign the south entrance to the campus, transforming the asphalt service parking lot into a welcoming entryway and transit hub complete with a new bus turnaround plaza and a multifunctional event space that also performs significant stormwater management functions. The five major bus routes that connect the university to the city once crossed countless pedestrian paths and they circulated through the campus, but RHI's new design clearly delineates vehicular traffic and safely redirects pedestrian movement along the primary east-west pathway of the campus known as Library Walk. The University's graduation and convocation ceremonies now extend onto the new plaza, where large temporary tent structures are accommodated with in-paving tent stanchion connectors, permeable paving, and a synthetic turf lawn. Stormwater management is also integrated within the bus turnaround area, where surface runoff from the driveway and the bus shelter is channeled through leaders under the pavement and collected in a 10,000-square-foot rain garden.

Branch Brook Park,
New Jersey

C: Branch Brook Park has worked with RHI on more than 20 projects, including the restoration of the lake edges surrounding a small boathouse in the park's "Southern Division." Invasive vegetation was removed, the shoreline was stabilized, bird habitat areas were enhanced, and historic Olmsted plans for the park were also consulted for the planting design. In the park's central "Middle Division," RHI rehabilitated ballfields by integrating state-of-the-art field facilities within the historic context and creating sustainable solutions for stormwater management and drainage. RHI also oversaw the restoration of the park's famed Japanese cherry tree collection, a five-year effort involving extensive replanting and the development of a comprehensive maintenance plan.

U.S. Supreme Court Landscape
Renovation, Washington, D.C.

D: RHI led a team of multidisciplinary consultants in improving the landscape and grounds at the United States Supreme Court. This project involved conserving the historic marble curbing, preserving original trees, and refurbishing the landscape based on Architect of the Capitol archives. Two mature, flowering cherry trees were relocated; original marble curbs were repaired, restored, or replaced; the original plant list was used and new plants selectively added to promote a resilient plant palette; hedged walkways were restored; and historic trees and shrub areas were preserved. A portion of Maryland Avenue was also realigned according to security requirements.

Reservoir Park - McMillan Sand Filtration Site, Washington, D.C.

E: This 6.2-acre park inaugurates the visionary transformation of a decommissioned water filtration site that sat unused for almost four decades. For years, community activists worked to preserve the site's historic features and garner respect for the involvement of renowned landscape architecture firm Olmsted Brothers. RHI developed final plans for the park, including improved accessibility and environmental sustainability through expanded bioretention facilities and more than 82,000 square feet of permeable paving. Inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.'s 1907 planting plan, RHI introduced a diverse range of trees and flowering plants that provide habitat and forage for pollinators.