Bringing Exotic to University Heights

Exotic Gardens is part of a new wave of urban infill developments joining the skyline of University Heights on San Diego’s eucalyptus-lined El Cajon Boulevard. This apartment building’s name is inherited from the rare-plant nursery that previously occupied the site. In addition to the name, the building also inherited plants from the nursery. Psychedelic-looking euphorbia and stately ponytail palms punctuate the building’s dual street fronts. Instead of ending up in a collector’s private garden, these spectacular specimens provide a neighborhood sidewalk landmark.

The development structure forms an L-shape around a courtyard elevated one story above the street. As a mostly low-rise neighborhood, this yields broad views from the courtyard out towards the south and west.

As the sun falls in the sky, its rays catch the spikes of the courtyard’s golden barrel cacti giving them an electric glow. The cacti are kept company by tousled orange sedges and bold foxtail agave. The courtyard is anchored at either end by rare, shockingly colorful Yellow Fever acacias from east Africa. These unique trees, studded with menacing spines, bookend a large communal fire pit. Its broad, smooth concrete surface allows guests to lounge right on top of it, snuggled up to the dancing flames. Nearby, Madagascan ocotillo stand like sentries at the stair leading down to the street.

This project makes a strong statement with very little actual landscape area. Luckily, we had the privilege of using rare specimens that were passed down to us. The quality and unique character of these plants make Exotic Gardens truly live up to its name.

Benjamin Arcia, M.U.D.
Senior Associate

---

Join Us for a Night of Awards and Celebration

We are proud Silver Sponsors of the San Diego Business Journal’s 4th annual Best Real Estate Deals of the Year Awards. The event to be held April 18th at The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter recognizes real estate deals and dealmakers as well as tenants, investors, financiers, civic leaders, architects, designers and construction companies.

Congratulations to all of the finalists!

Register here >

---

McCullough Strikes Gold

McCullough is honored to have been included in the LUXE Interiors & Design Gold List for 2018.

The Gold List Party had us reveling the night away! We lived it up as one of the chosen few landscape architect firms to make the esteemed list.

View the full list >

Engaging Organic Design for a Dense Urban Community

Millenia is a 210-acre multibillion-dollar urban-style development in the heart of the Otay Ranch Master Plan area, spanning 80 city blocks. Genesis at Millenia by Meridian Communities is a residential development in the heart of the Master Plan area. It is comprised of four individual lots totaling over 12 acres with the future South Bay Rapid transit line bisecting the community. Genesis at Millenia offers 200 multi-family attached units. McCullough Landscape Architecture was selected to develop the interior and exterior landscaping, excluding perimeter slopes, and to design all amenity spaces for the community.

Working within a dense residential development does pose its challenges, especially when the goal is to maximize the amenities provided to its residents. We set out to weave a long list of amenity spaces throughout the community, all the while being sensitive to noise considerations, unit views, accessibility, cost and creating spaces useful to a vast range of age groups. Three separate amenity spaces were laid out.

The amenity spaces include these features:

• Two tot lot areas with shade coverage and seating
• A linear “parklet” accented by a bioswale feature for storm water drainage, which has several bridge crossings as well as a contemporary shade structure spanning the swale
• A community recreation area including a pool and spa, built-in BBQs, a fire pit and a covered dining area
• A large, multi-use, indoor/outdoor building providing a fireplace, dining deck and BBQ uses
• Raised garden beds for growing edible landscapes
• Two large multi-use lawn areas great for community gatherings or active play
• Several orchard tree planting areas
• Two perimeter trails for walking and/or exercise

We were thoughtful in designing the planting for this project, telling a “modern-meets-organic” storyline. As the project is urban in nature there are inherently ample amounts of hardscape in the way of roads, parking, building faces and of course, a lot of utilities. This highlights the importance of our planting design to balance out these hard edges and work to screen views as necessary. It was critical for the planting to be pedestrian in scale; we steered away from the trend to “plant in masses,” and instead designed the palette to be enjoyed up close by residents, providing a “homey” yet structured feel. What might seem to be unplanned and a seemingly random mix of plant texture, color and size was actually designed with care by our team.

“The beauty of landscape architecture is the ability to integrate the challenges and restrictions of a site into a functional and comfortable, yet beautiful space.”

The project is being developed in phases with several amenity areas now under construction. Lots 7 and 8 will begin construction in late 2018.

Shawna Bortolussi, RLA, LEED-AP
Associate Landscape Architect

---

McCullough Chosen by Gafcon for Shanghai Development

McCullough is proud to have been selected with other local firms for Gafcon’s new waterfront residential community project in Shanghai, China. The Zizhu Purple Bay development builds on the vision of 70-acre Seaport San Diego, spanning 800 acres along the Huangpu River and will feature yacht homes, condos, a nature and education center, an aquarium and a botanical garden.

The talented team for Gafcon’s project also includes San Diego’s AVRP Skyport architects, Moffatt & Nichol marine engineering and OdySea Aquarium.

“This is a legacy project at a tremendous scale. We are essentially building a new city from the ground up.”
- Gafcon CEO Yehudi "Gaf" Gaffen

Read more about this project >

Rendering courtesy of Gafcon Inc.

Harmonizing a Blend of Formal and Natural Design

Cue is one of San Diego’s foremost biotech companies, designing and manufacturing revolutionary devices for tracking personal health information. We designed the landscape to pair formal styles and structured design with the chaotic beauty of native plants, like random elegance found in nature. The results created a natural rhythm with dynamic layering of contrasting forms.

As one drives by, regimented rows of blue shrubs and succulents greet the street, creating an aesthetic rhythm. Beyond these, you see a swirling sea of wild green which softens the buildings’ first story. Between the structures lies a courtyard where the formal and the chaotic meet. The design is blended as opposed to merely a juxtaposed layout creating a highly unique visual experience. Subdued Mid-Century style Crassula hedges float on an unruly orange cloud of Carex grasses, shaded by dappled light made from the frizzy Mesquite trees.

The courtyard is divided into an archipelago of outdoor “rooms” divided by the hedges to create spaces that are semi-private. The southern end of the courtyard features a bar with beer taps. Naturally, this is the social hub of the project.

Benjamin Arcia, M.U.D.
Senior Associate

---

Riding “The Wave” of Marketing Excellence

Catherine just returned from The Wave In The Vineyard, the annual Pacific Regional Conference hosted by SMPS (Society for Professional Marketing Services) in Napa, California. Catherine was Co-Chair of this year’s conference Programs Committee with Katelyn Suprenant of RIM Architects (the two are pictured at right).

The conference provided a myriad of great insights into A/E/C best practices, and we learned from inspiring speakers. What could be any better? Great marketing ideas, meeting with colleagues and friends, enjoying beautiful Napa, and of course, the wine.

Catherine announces the cast of Fellows for the Inside the Fellows Studio show, a new program for PRC this year.

---

LUXE Magazine Gold List

We are honored to have been named on LUXE Magazine's 2018 Gold List for Landscape Architecture!

View the full list here >

Our Favorite Landscape Design Projects of 2017

Here at McCullough, the New Year brings a time of reflection on the projects we are most proud of. On this note, our talented team of landscape designers would like to share their favorite projects of this past year. –  David and Catherine

---

SDSU Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center
San Diego, CA

David McCullough, RLA
Principal Landscape Architect

"The Alumni Center serves as an important role on the campus. This is the place where potential philanthropists start when considering how to donate their charitable givings. With this said, the Alumni Center needs to convey a positive, welcoming message. The staff and board recognized this wasn’t being achieved with the current state of the Center, but had very little to contribute to the effort. This meant we had to get creative, to break through a bureaucracy, and do something on the fly. We worked directly with the campus grounds staff to get this done. We went out to the suppliers, and got our hands dirty with creative hand-picked solutions. On a large campus with layers of red tape that usually drives costs up, we made this happen. It almost felt like breaking the rules, and that's likely why I felt this project was enjoyable. The end result is a great enhancement of an important facility."

---

Rancho Bernardo Town Center
Rancho Bernardo, CA

Maha Balachandran, Int'l asla
Associate

“My favorite project was the renovation of the exterior of three buildings in the Rancho Bernardo Town Center. The landscape was a contemporary interpretation of Californian Mission Style architecture. A plaza was designed with a sunken courtyard to give a new experience to the outdoor dining. The planting material was chosen to enhance the upgraded building facade. I like this project because our design gives a new and pleasant outdoor experience for shoppers."

---

The Campus on Villa La Jolla
la Jolla, CA

Benjamin Arcia, MUD
Senior Associate

“This project was my first large-scale experimentation with a highly diverse plant palette. I strove to celebrate the unruly, boisterous character of our local native plants. What was once a prudish lawn became an explosion of chaos and color, turning heads along La Jolla Village Drive.”

---

Coronado Residence
Coronado, CA

Difan Chen, MLA
Associate

“Wrapping around the beautiful San Diego Bay, this residence sits on the point of Coronado Island and has a significant view of the skyline and mountains across the bay. The mixed-tropical landscape theme works perfectly with the modern and wavy look of the architecture. The indoor and outdoor spaces work seamlessly to meet the owner’s need for everyday activity. The house is environmentally-friendly — it has solar panels and features a meadow-themed green roof. By working closely with other talented team members, including the architect and interior designer and others, we believe the house will definitely become the new jewel of Coronado Island when construction is complete.”

---

Howard Pence Elementary, South Bay Unified School District
San Diego, CA

Priyanka Malik, MLA
Associate

“The project objective was to provide space for kids to rest, with an easy to maintain landscape, all to be done on a tight budget. The design solution was a blend of functionality, aesthetics and economics. The space was divided with hardscape and softscape elements. Concrete pavers and picnic tables provide a waiting area with space for students to interact. The flat gold-color stone boulders are placed strategically closer to the hardscape area and offer a setting for casual seating. The softscape consists of an undulating earth berm sprinkled with drought-tolerant plants. A lot of existing vegetation was protected. However, the addition of Palo Verde trees made up for the lack of shade in the space. I chose this project because we were able to provide a healthy and aesthetically pleasing space for students and faculty. Overall, I am happy we met the project’s objectives. It turned out to be a poetry in gold.”

---

Genesis at Millenia
Chula Vista, CA

Shawna Bortolussi, RLA, LEED-AP
Associate Landscape Architect

“This multi-family project is packed tight with landscape design elements: a set of model homes, a pool recreation area, common area paseos, a linear park with a tot lot, entry areas, detention features and contemporary shade structures. Composing this mosaic of features and spaces, all within relatively tight quarters, posed many challenges. I chose this project because our client, Meridian Communities appreciates the value of recreation, open space and landscape design. They were a very enjoyable partner to work with.”

---

Valley View Casino Expansion
Valley Center, CA

Cristina Soutowood, MA
Associate

“I chose this project because as we work with our Delawie team members we have been able to think outside the box when selecting interesting materials, pattern layouts and the plant palette. The concept we designed ties in the futuristic feel of the grand overhead canopies. The planting areas surrounding the entry are demarcated by COR-TEN steel walls at varying heights with monochromatic swaths of plant material tied together by the modern feel of Acacia cultriformis and gorgeous chartreuse Palo Verdes.”

---

Fortuna Farms
Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Alex Wade
Junior Associate

“I found this project most interesting because I was designing an equestrian farm, something I’ve never done before. I dealt with city code and HOA requirements and it helped me learn a lot about our company design standards in the process.”

---

Third Avenue
Chula Vista, CA

Eric Tran
Associate

“This project, partnering with Stephen Dalton Architects, is a mixed-use project proposed on a vacant lot. Projects like this are exciting since they promote redevelopment and revitalization of a city. Despite the size of the project, they still have their challenges and opportunities that make them just as fun and exciting as larger-scale projects.”

---

Torrey Plaza
La Jolla, CA

Brian Frederick
Associate

“Torrey Plaza was a collaborative office place transformation project that we worked on with Gensler San Diego. The living wall was a fun art project for me and a big learning experience. It is the highlight of the patio space, which is now connected to a major core access through the front entry. We also worked with Gensler on furniture layout and the aesthetic goals which were represented in the final product from our 3D ideations.”

---

Thank you to all of our clients, colleagues, family and friends who have made 2017 so gratifying!
We look forward to the exciting things blossoming for McCullough in 2018!

Holiday Greetings from McCullough

Season's Greetings

All of us at McCullough wish you peace, joy and prosperity throughout the coming year.
During this holiday season, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our seasons bright. It is in this spirit that we say thank you and best wishes
for the holidays and New Year.

In honor of the holidays, our office will be closed from Monday, December 25
through Tuesday, January 3, 2018.

This vibrant landscape is of our project at Montecito Swim Club in Chula Vista, CA.

---

McCullough Energizes Native Habitats in Urban Spaces

Recently featured in the San Diego Business Journal, Senior Associate Landscape Designer Benjamin Arcia describes how our firm's landscape design lends itself to the bigger picture of urban habitats. Our work creates interconnectedness in the green spaces of our city. By designing with native plants, pervious paving and other unique details, we contribute to spaces that promote the natural environment rather than disrupt it.

“As we learn more about the relationships around us, we discover more ways to make design interact in a positive way with nature.”
– Benjamin Arcia, M.U.D. of McCullough

AS SEEN IN SAN DIEGO BUSINESS JOURNAL

---

PAVING THE WAY WITH MIXED-USE DESIGN

In the December 2017 issue of Hatch magazine, McCullough demonstrates prowess in mixed-use design featuring their alluring project, the home to The Alexandria Real Estate Headquarters. Coupled with the open-air Farmer & the Seahorse restaurant, located on the bluffs of Torrey Pines, the location provides a unique meeting place for biotech professionals and other business people to relax and exchange ideas.

Read the article >
View more of this project >

AS SEEN IN HATCH MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2017