SmithGroup

Phoenix, Arizona; Los Angeles & San Diego, California; 18 Other Locations
Photo Credit: SmithGroup
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Arizona State Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Building 12; Mesa, AZ

 
Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Building 12 (ISTB12) serves as the gateway to Arizona State University's Polytechnic Campus, supporting its continued growth while housing the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks. As one the first buildings within the emerging Research Innovation District, ISTB12 strengthens connections between academia, industry, and the broader community, reflecting ASU's leadership in innovation. Strategically positioned along the extension of Terripin Mall, the building links the established campus with future development. The surrounding landscape showcases sustainable stormwater management through an integrated network of catch basins, rain gardens, and biodiverse plantings. Runoff from the building is captured and redistributed to support supplemental irrigation, creating a resilient outdoor environment that combines ecological performance with collaborative campus spaces.

University of Arizona Paul and Alice Baker Center for Public Media; Tucson, AZ
This LEED silver and landscape-driven destination at the UA Tech Park bridges institutional vision with community and donor engagement. The design transforms functional infrastructure into a vibrant, ecologically rich hub celebrating the Sonoran Desert through native plantings, permeable pathways, and shaded plazas that double as flexible event spaces. Donor recognition gardens, educational signage, and local art weave philanthropy and cultural programming into the landscape. Child-friendly gardens and connections to the Kino Trail system extend the space's reach into the broader community. Rooted in AZPM's mission of informed citizenship and civic dialogue, this project sets a new institutional standard for resilient landscapes that unite sustainability, education, and shared community purpose.

River People Health Center; Scottsdale, AZ
River People Health Center (RPHC) is a LEED Gold building that serves as both a physical and cultural gateway at the southern edge of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Designed as a centralized destination for holistic health services, community gatherings, educational programs, and tribal ceremonies, the project was shaped through close collaboration with the Community's Cultural Council. References to tribal history, values, beliefs, and traditions are woven throughout the site design. Landscape interventions frame views to sacred mountain peaks, strengthen pedestrian connectivity and wayfinding, and create flexible outdoor gathering spaces. The Central Community Plaza interprets the historic banks of the Salt River, while integrated stormwater strategies support and enrich the native desert landscape.

Los Angeles General Medical Center, Mental Health Urgent Care Center, and Residential Withdrawal Management Facility; Los Angeles, CA
The design of this project reinforces the idea of a village, mirroring the diversity of one with its array of buildings in varying shapes and sizes. The name 'Restorative Care Village' is deliberate and fitting, reflecting its purpose as a sanctuary for healing and comfort rather than a traditional campus or facility. The landscape planting and hardscape features create a safe and aesthetically pleasing open space. It complements the new building's architectural character and the surrounding buildings while reinforcing pedestrian movement from the existing campus to future development. The design creates a connected campus, improves access, buffers surface parking, and delivers shaded, programmed exterior spaces at the highest level of sustainability.

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Arizona State Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Building 12; Mesa, AZ
Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Building 12 (ISTB12) serves as the gateway to Arizona State University's Polytechnic Campus, supporting its continued growth while housing the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks. As one the first buildings within the emerging Research Innovation District, ISTB12 strengthens connections between academia, industry, and the broader community, reflecting ASU's leadership in innovation. Strategically positioned along the extension of Terripin Mall, the building links the established campus with future development. The surrounding landscape showcases sustainable stormwater management through an integrated network of catch basins, rain gardens, and biodiverse plantings. Runoff from the building is captured and redistributed to support supplemental irrigation, creating a resilient outdoor environment that combines ecological performance with collaborative campus spaces.

2 / 4

University of Arizona Paul and Alice Baker Center for Public Media; Tucson, AZ
This LEED silver and landscape-driven destination at the UA Tech Park bridges institutional vision with community and donor engagement. The design transforms functional infrastructure into a vibrant, ecologically rich hub celebrating the Sonoran Desert through native plantings, permeable pathways, and shaded plazas that double as flexible event spaces. Donor recognition gardens, educational signage, and local art weave philanthropy and cultural programming into the landscape. Child-friendly gardens and connections to the Kino Trail system extend the space's reach into the broader community. Rooted in AZPM's mission of informed citizenship and civic dialogue, this project sets a new institutional standard for resilient landscapes that unite sustainability, education, and shared community purpose.

3 / 4

River People Health Center; Scottsdale, AZ
River People Health Center (RPHC) is a LEED Gold building that serves as both a physical and cultural gateway at the southern edge of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Designed as a centralized destination for holistic health services, community gatherings, educational programs, and tribal ceremonies, the project was shaped through close collaboration with the Community's Cultural Council. References to tribal history, values, beliefs, and traditions are woven throughout the site design. Landscape interventions frame views to sacred mountain peaks, strengthen pedestrian connectivity and wayfinding, and create flexible outdoor gathering spaces. The Central Community Plaza interprets the historic banks of the Salt River, while integrated stormwater strategies support and enrich the native desert landscape.

4 / 4

Los Angeles General Medical Center, Mental Health Urgent Care Center, and Residential Withdrawal Management Facility; Los Angeles, CA
The design of this project reinforces the idea of a village, mirroring the diversity of one with its array of buildings in varying shapes and sizes. The name 'Restorative Care Village' is deliberate and fitting, reflecting its purpose as a sanctuary for healing and comfort rather than a traditional campus or facility. The landscape planting and hardscape features create a safe and aesthetically pleasing open space. It complements the new building's architectural character and the surrounding buildings while reinforcing pedestrian movement from the existing campus to future development. The design creates a connected campus, improves access, buffers surface parking, and delivers shaded, programmed exterior spaces at the highest level of sustainability.

SmithGroup is one of the world's preeminent integrated design firms. Working across a network of 21 offices in the U.S. - including Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Diego - a team of 1,600 experts is committed to excellence in strategy, design, and delivery. The scale of the firm's thinking and organization produces partnerships with forward-looking clients that maximize opportunities, minimize risk, and solve their most complex problems. SmithGroup creates exceptional design solutions for urban environments, healthcare, science and technology organizations, higher education and cultural institutions, diverse workplaces, mixed-use and waterfront developments, and parks and open spaces. SmithGroup's landscape architecture services excel at resolving complex project challenges to create meaningful, sustainable, and context-sensitive designs that harmonize performance and beauty while adding value to both human and natural communities.

As seen in LASN magazine, August 2026.