Toward Sustainability

What is Sustainability?

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decision on the seventh generation." (From the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy.)

Why Sustainability?

Our biosphere is in a state of unprecedented decline. The unbridled proliferation of greenhouse gasses threatens to destroy our way of life, indeed all life. Everything we do will either help to save the world or destroy it. By designing and building sustainable projects, we can help save our home planet. "Concern about sustainability is rooted in the growing awareness that human activities have significant environmental impacts that can impose economic, social and ecological costs..."

What does this mean to our clients?

For starters, it means less irrigation, temporary irrigation or no irrigation. (Go native!) Where recycled water is available, we encourage our clients to use it. Soon, landscape irrigation in our Southwestern region may become a thing of the past. In any case, it will become more rationed and restricted. The only really sustainable landscape is the Native or xeriphytic landscape.

Using building materials that have a smaller carbon footprint is another step towards sustainable design. Recycled building materials and local, natural materials are preferred. Lumber from sustainable sources also makes great sense. Other "soft path" techniques include sustainable sites, porous or permeable paving, low energy (LED) lighting, even photovoltaics.

DRLA started our sustainable design career many years ago, with our habitat restoration projects. More recently, the firm has made a more significant commitment towards sustainable design.

J. Craig Venter Institute – La Jolla, California

J. Craig Venter InstituteWith ZGF Architects and Andropogon Associates

This world class, state of the art facility is California’s first truly sustainable laboratory facility, the first carbon neutral addition to the UCSD campus, and of course, is rated LEED Platinum. The new Venter Institute building is the site of the latest in genomic focused research.

As Landscape Architects of record (with Andropogon Associates of Philadelphia), an all native landscape was planned, with intensive and extensive roof gardens covering 12% of the building area. Magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean and public access to the Skeleton Canyon Ecological Reserve were preserved. All supplemental irrigation is from collected rainfall, stored in cisterns below the building and site. Several major, existing Torrey Pine trees were successfully transplanted.

Our firm provided extensive design support for all planting, all irrigation design and some assistance with hardscape development, and complete Construction Administration.

After construction, we completed the revegetation of the adjacent 4-acre site with native plants and temporary irrigation.

See more of this project…

Recent Projects:

Mountain Ranch

Angel Mountain Ranch

This getaway cabin is a refuge away from busy city life and surrounded by 1000 acres of cattle ranch, and has stunning views to Mt. Palomar. The owners asked that the landscape be a “non-landscape”; that it not look like a designed garden, but simply be part of the majestic surroundings.  Functional improvements were treated in rural fashion; like driveway in gravel, walkways in  decomposed granite. Steps and patio are in stone. A fireplace was nestled into existing boulders. Planting is native and naturalizing. Around the cabin, it is low and shrubby. The outer forty is a wildflower meadow, of native species. Several mature oaks were added into the scene.

See more of this project…

Hillel of UCSD/La Jolla – La Jolla, California

HillelIn the planning phase; will be a LEED certified project. Landscape improvements surround and appoint a proposed Jewish Student Center at the University of California San Diego. Improvements include a public park space with a bike and pedestrian trail, using Torrey Pine trees and an all native plant palette.

See more of this project…

Waxie Corporation Building – Salt Lake City, Utah

Waxie - Salt Lake CityLEED Silver certified project, using native and drought resistant plants, storm water retention and high reflectivity pavement.

See more of this project…

J. Craig Venter Institute at UCSD – San Diego, California

J. Craig Venter Institute at UCSDWith Andropogon Associates of Philadelphia, PA.

This world class, state of the art facility is California’s first truly sustainable laboratory facility, the first carbon neutral addition to the UCSD campus, and of course, is rated LEED Platinum. The new Venter Institute building is the site of the latest in genomic focused research.

As Landscape Architects of record (with Andropogon Associates of Philadelphia), an all native  landscape was planned, with intensive and extensive roof gardens covering 12% of the building area. Magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean and public access to the Skeleton Canyon Ecological Reserve were preserved. All supplemental irrigation is from collected rainfall, stored in cisterns below the building and site. Several major, existing Torrey Pine trees were successfully transplanted.

Our firm provided extensive design support for all planting, all irrigation design and some assistance with hardscape development, and complete Construction Administration.

After construction, we completed the revegetation of the adjacent 4-acre site  with native plants and temporary irrigation.

See more of this project…

Pershing Middle School Joint Use Fields – San Diego, California

Pershing Middle School Joint Use Fields - San Diego, CaliforniaThis 5 acre synthetic turf sports field saves approximately 20 acre-feet (8 million gallons) of water per year.

See more of this project…

Pump Station #45 – Torrey Pines, San Diego, California

Pump Station 45This pump station was located in the heart of sensitive habitat, both Coastal Sage Scrub (CSS) and Maritime Succulent Scrub (MSS) atop a coastal bluff. A carefully wrought re-vegetation plan with tight specifications, site protection and a monitoring program was required. 

See more of this project…

El Cajon Blvd. – San Diego, California

El Cajon Blvd.We utilized photovoltaics to illuminate these important community signs (and solar powered irrigation controllers).

See more of this project…

Carmel Mountain Ranch Library – San Diego, California

Carmel Mountain Ranch LibraryAdditional native planting and landscape improvements at one of San Diego’s Branch libraries.

See more of this project…

Recycled Water Landscapes:

These projects utilize recycled water, giving a compound benefit and heat reduction to the urban environment by increasing vegetation to provide shade and cool the air. Even as such, most of the plantings are low water use species.

Mosaic, A Planned Community – Escondido, California

Mosaic TownhomesA 42 Home, 3.6 acre development on a north facing hillside. Work included oak tree relocation, drives and walks, walls, and fencing, development of the sales models with enhanced amenities, and all site landscape.

See more of this project…

Tradition Apartment Homes – Carlsbad, California

Tradition Apartment Homes - Carlsbad, CaliforniaScope of work for this 140+ unit apartment home community included complete hardscape, landscape improvement plans and permit approvals for a 30 acre site. On-site amenities included a recreation center with pool and spa, children’s play area and high intensity landscape. Work also included development and landscaping of a 1/4 mile stretch of new median on El Camino Real, a large native plant revegetation, and extensive use of reclaimed water irrigation.

See more of this project…

Starling – San Marcos, California

Starling, a planned communityThe developer utilized this neglected 5 acre site to build a new 28 unit planned community along Rock Springs Blvd, in San Marcos. These landscape development plans feature a tot lot and children’s play area, a through connection to the nearby community park and extensive landscaping along the street frontages.

See more of this project…

Otay Ranch Village Two Slopes – Otay Ranch, Chula Vista, California

Otay Village 272 acres of slope plantings utilizing drought resistant plants and recycled water irrigation.

See more of this project…