McCullough is honored to feature RDC as our Client of the Month, a longtime collaborator and dynamic architecture firm, who has been dedicated to shaping spaces since 1979. With a rich history and a forward-thinking approach, RDC has earned recognition for its innovative designs and commitment to community engagement. We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Sean Slater, AIA, Senior Principal at RDC, for an in-depth conversation about the firm's evolution, notable projects, community involvement, RDC’s shared vision with McCullough and more.

Firm Evolution

Founded as a thriving retail architecture firm amidst Southern California's retail boom in the 80s and 90s, RDC initially carved its path through strip centers, power centers, and bustling shopping complexes. As the founders neared retirement, a strategic transition unfolded, marking the birth of "Retail Design Collaborative" (RDC) in 2016. Sean joined during this rebranding initiative, which aimed to emphasize retail and adopt a collaborative approach to diversify into new areas. His previous experience primarily involved large-scale projects with multiple uses, which complemented the firm's focus on retail within master planned communities and mixed-use buildings.

A collaboration between Liberty National, the design team of RDC, McCullough, and a variety of other disciplines, 10th & B proposes a mixed-use residential building located near major transit hubs and within walking proximity to the Gaslamp District and Balboa Park in San Diego, CA.

In 2018, RDC recognized the prevailing narrative of the "retail apocalypse," prompting a rebrand to simply “RDC” to broaden its focus beyond retail. While the firm's heritage lies in retail architecture, its current portfolio encompasses diverse projects ranging from 40-story towers to mid-rise residential developments and entertainment complexes across the nation. Notably, RDC is involved in a large mixed-use project in Florida and is overseeing ground-level retail within an innovative biomed R&D facility in Houston, TX. The firm's engagement with iconic projects like Horton Plaza in Downtown San Diego catalyzed the establishment of its San Diego office nearly four years ago under the leadership of Sean. Initially operating from a coworking space near Horton Plaza, RDC integrated into the Design Center three years ago, strategically positioning itself to leverage the vibrant market and abundant talent in San Diego for future growth.

Community Integration and Forward-Thinking Design Initiatives

RDC’s Urban Office in Long Beach, CA. Repurposing a former Nordstrom Rack, RDC designed their new office to create an invigorating yet functional environment that befits the firm’s culture.

In the aftermath of the pandemic, RDC's headquarters in Long Beach underwent a notable transformation. With the office temporarily vacant, the firm decided to embrace the spirit of community by welcoming firms as subletters or co-tenants. Central to RDC's ethos is the idea of openness, exemplified by the placement of the main conference room and break room facing the street. This intentional design invites engagement with the broader community. Regularly, RDC's doors are wide open to host gatherings for organizations such as AIA, ULI, and various other nonprofits in Long Beach. This commitment to community extends beyond mere hosting; it involves active participation and volunteerism, reflecting RDC's dedication to the neighborhoods it inhabits.

Seeking to replicate this ethos in San Diego, the firm has diligently transferred its successful engagement strategies from Long Beach. Sean's involvement in multiple councils, including his upcoming role as the district chair for ULI San Diego-Tijuana, underscores RDC's approach to community integration. Additionally, RDC's initiative for Futuro Space, the current location of their San Diego office, serves as a beacon for collaboration and forward-thinking design. Sharing this space with McCullough, ULI San Diego-Tijuana, and opening it up to the community amplifies the collective commitment to shaping the future of San Diego and fostering dialogue about its evolution.

RDC's Dynamic Portfolio

The SkyDeck in San Diego is a gastronomic concept unlike any other that shifts the culinary trends of community social gathering.

RDC operates across diverse communities, navigating the ever-evolving landscape of retail and beyond. The Sky Deck Project in Del Mar stands as a testament to their customer-centric approach. The original owner envisioned unique restaurants and a bustling bar space, creating a vibrant environment that resonates with patrons. Conversely, Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego required a strategic reimagining due to its obsolete retail model. RDC, leveraging its expertise in retail architecture, revitalized the space, reconnecting it with the city fabric. This transformation aimed to integrate the Gaslamp and central business districts seamlessly, fostering inclusivity and vibrancy within the City of San Diego. Also noteworthy is RDC's engagement on the Texas Medical Center project, where demographic complexities necessitated a nuanced approach. Serving as a hub for approximately 150,000 daily commuters, the center lacks essential amenities, presenting an opportunity for inclusive development. Through thorough demographic analysis, RDC identified the center's unique position between affluent and historically disadvantaged communities. This insight guided the project's vision of inclusivity, aiming to provide accessible services for all, as Sean described as "tentacles" reaching into both communities, the project emphasizes essential services such as daycare, women's needs, gyms, groceries, and entertainment.

RDC is collaborating with Texas Medical Center (TMC) to integrate experiential retail and hospitality into the world’s largest medical campus.

Prioritizing Place Understanding

The process on most of RDC’s projects always begins with extensive research, delving into every available resource. Their goal is to maintain the fabric of families and communities, supporting them as they evolve over time. They ask critical questions: Can they retire in place? Can we provide services that cater to both commercial and residential needs, ensuring continuity and growth? This comprehensive understanding of the locale forms the foundation of RDC’s design process.

As Sean Slater emphasizes, "We need to understand everything about a place that we can before we start any real design. It's crucial to understand our clients' vision for the space and determine how to attract the intended audience by offering a diverse range of amenities and features."

RDC’s Future Vision

Looking ahead, RDC acknowledges the pressing residential crisis in the nation, marked by affordability and supply issues. Despite widespread acknowledgment of the crisis, residential projects have seen a slowdown due to factors like interest rates and construction costs. Addressing this challenge, RDC is intensifying efforts to tackle affordable housing, particularly in San Diego. The firm is actively engaging with organizations dedicated to funding or constructing affordable housing solutions.

Geographic expansion remains a priority, with a focus on bolstering the San Diego office and local project development. RDC's recent involvement in repurposing a mall in Kansas exemplifies their strategy of revitalizing neglected spaces to serve evolving community needs. The firm recognizes the potential of transforming underutilized malls into vibrant community hubs, an endeavor they envision unfolding across the country in the coming years. As they anticipate the next 10 to 15 years, they are poised to address emerging challenges while advancing sustainable urban development initiatives.

Client-Centric Architecture

Sean Slater explains, “We work closely with our clients, emphasizing that it's not about us or them individually, but rather about understanding the needs of the people who will ultimately inhabit the space. Whether it's providing essential services, creating inviting outdoor areas, or fostering a sense of community, our designs are centered around enhancing the lives of those who will use them.”

This ethos emphasizes their belief that every architectural decision should serve the individuals who will interact with the space, ensuring that each project reflects the community it serves. In every design decision, RDC ensures a forward-looking perspective, contemplating the impact of their structures on the communities they serve.

RDC and McCullough's Shared Vision in Design & Urban Resilience

RDC and McCullough share a vision deeply rooted in creating spaces of significance. When it comes to this fundamental aspect of design philosophy, particularly evident in projects like Circle Marina, a large retail center project, RDC’s approach is built on trust and respect. As Slater says,

“It starts with trust and respect. I personally love working with groups like McCullough that I trust and respect. We are on the same team. We must listen, trust, and believe that our consultants know more than we do.”

RDC values the expertise of their consultants, recognizing the importance of collaboration in crafting special environments and developing placemaking opportunities. In project collaborations, like a current retail destination, the collaboration evolved from strong initial ideas to even greater outcomes as landscape, signage, graphics, and lighting were layered onto the design.

Circle Marina in Long Beach, CA, a retail community-oriented environment. A collaboration between RDC and McCullough

Circle Marina is another example of successful collaboration, illustrating how trust and respect among team members enhance the creative process.

Located in the heart of Long Beach, Circle Marina stands as a vibrant destination center in a historically significant corridor along Highway 1. This project involves revitalizing a strip mall with unique and eclectic attractions. By introducing outdoor seating areas and expanding retail options, Circle Marina aims to transform from a car-centric space of the 20th century into a pedestrian-friendly destination where people can walk, bike, and socialize. This transition involves repurposing parking areas into inviting public spaces, reflecting contemporary trends towards more accessible and community-oriented environments.

On the Seaside Ridge project, McCullough and RDC are collaborating to create a vibrant and sustainable community that complements the new rental housing development in the City of Del Mar, providing much-needed affordable housing for the local community.

RDC's future collaborations with McCullough will be driven by a collective mission to enhance urban environments and make cities more relevant and vibrant. Sean articulates this vision, emphasizing the importance of landscape integration in urban areas and the lasting impact of buildings over time. He envisions buildings that age gracefully, evolving alongside the landscape and contributing to a sustainable urban fabric. McCullough's focus on sustainability and rewilding, particularly integrating landscape into downtown environments, aligns perfectly with this vision. Together, RDC and McCullough aim to create landscapes that thrive and buildings that stand the test of time, ensuring a better future for our cities. As Sean reflects,

"McCullough is a great partner. I love that there is such a focus on sustainability, native plants, rewilding, and natural environments instead of overly groomed perfect corporate environments."

This partnership is poised to plant the seeds of change, cultivating landscapes that reconnect with nature and foster healthier, more resilient urban communities. McCullough appreciates our partnership with RDC and looks forward to many more opportunities for collaboration.

Client of the Month: RDC