703 16th Street, Suite 100 San Diego, California 92101
P (619) 296-3150 F (619) 501-7725
Benjamin Arcia, Senior Associate at McCullough, delves into the strategic integration of public art in retail spaces in a recent article featured in Western Real Estate Business. Moving beyond mere beautification, this exploration highlights how art drives foot traffic and fosters community engagement post-COVID. From pop-up displays to permanent installations, developers can leverage art to differentiate properties.
Kat Valley is an experienced Project Accountant with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. A San Diego native, Kat was born and raised in Oceanside, California. She earned her undergraduate degree at California State University, San Marcos, where she developed a strong foundation in business. Kat then pursued her MBA, further refining her skills in financial management, project oversight, and strategic decision-making. With several years of experience across various industries, she has a proven ability to manage complex projects and drive efficiency.
With a blend of professional expertise and a down-to-earth, compassionate outlook, Kat approaches both her career and personal life with dedication and enthusiasm.
Outside of her professional career, Kat is an avid animal lover. She considers her two-year-old Cane Corso her child and has recently fostered a litter of kittens, successfully placing all four of them in their forever homes. She also enjoys traveling to new destinations, snowboarding, and spending time near any body of water.
A fun fact about Kat is she is deeply involved in the world of off-road racing. She regularly travels with and supports her family’s off-road racing team, where she contributes her time and energy to the logistics and behind-the-scenes efforts that make each race a success. Her involvement reflects her strong team-oriented mindset and passion for adventure.
April is an exciting time for landscape architects worldwide as we celebrate World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM)! Spearheaded by the American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA), WLAM is a month-long celebration dedicated to recognizing the profound impact of landscape architecture on our communities and the environment.
At McCullough, we're honored to participate in this celebration. On April 23rd, we'll be taking over the ASLA San Diego Instagram account for the day. Follow along @asla_SD as we showcase our work and share insights into the world of landscape architecture.
WLAM provides an excellent opportunity to advocate for the profession and educate others about its importance. We encourage everyone to take some time this month to learn more about landscape architecture and its role in creating sustainable, resilient, and beautiful spaces for our community.
April also marks another environmentally focused date – Earth Day. As part of our commitment to giving back to the community and celebrating both WLAM and Earth Day, we're thrilled to announce an upcoming volunteering event organized by our associate, Andrew Schlesinger, PLA, ASLA, in collaboration with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the San Diego Green Building Council (SDGBC).
Event Details:
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Presidio Park, 4299 Cosoy Way, San Diego, CA 92103
This Earth Day Clean-Up and Brush Management event is open to all. Join us as we come together to enhance the beauty and sustainability of our local environment. The event will kick off with an introduction to brush management updates, addressing fire permit requirements in San Diego County.
Registration is free and open to all.
Please register for the event using the following link: Event Registration Form.
We invite you to join us in celebrating World Landscape Architecture Month. Let's take this opportunity to appreciate the beauty, innovation, and impact of landscape architecture as we continue to shape a brighter future for our world.
A recent article in the San Diego Business Journal sheds light on San Diego’s transformation, with insights from industry experts including David McCullough, principal landscape architect.
David McCullough highlights downtown's transition into a mature, 24-hour city, setting a national standard for urban development. With innovative zoning changes and a focus on diverse uses, downtown San Diego promises opportunities for growth and innovation.
From mixed-income housing to thriving retail spaces, downtown's revitalization offers something for everyone. Explore the full article in the San Diego Business Journal to learn more about the city's exciting journey toward urban renewal and why it's capturing the attention of investors and residents alike.
McCullough is thrilled to welcome Polina Karake, Int’l ASLA, Associate, to our team of designers. With a rich tapestry of experience and a passion for crafting spaces that resonate with the human spirit, Polina embodies the ethos of our collaborative and creative practice.
Polina's journey began in Israel, where her love for design was ignited. With a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture and a master's degree in industrial design from the esteemed Technion Institute of Technology, Polina emerged as a luminary in her field, graduating Cum Laude.
With over 15 years of experience as a licensed landscape architect in Israel, Polina has honed her craft across projects of varying scales, from intimate patios to expansive neighborhoods. Her expertise in design and construction supervision is matched only by her unwavering commitment to shaping urban environments that enhance the everyday lives of individuals.
As a visiting faculty member at the Technion Institute of Technology's studio of Urban Design, she has shared her knowledge and insights, nurturing the next generation of design innovators. Additionally, her contributions as a freelance landscape advisor to architectural projects have enriched the integration of outdoor spaces within built environments, further cementing her reputation as a thought leader in her field.
Driven by her observations of Israel's unique challenges—a small, densely populated country with limited land resources—Polina's work is characterized by a commitment to creating vibrant public spaces that prioritize sustainability and functionality. Her specialization in designing open areas tailored to hot and arid climates underscores her dedication to addressing the evolving needs of communities.
Polina's multicultural background, coupled with her passion for travel, enriches her perspectives and fuels her creative vision. Fluent in three languages and with a penchant for exploration, she brings a global outlook to her work—a testament to her belief in the power of diversity to inspire and innovate.
As we celebrate Polina's arrival, we look forward to the invaluable contributions she will make to our collaborative practice. Her vision for fostering positive change through better-designed environments aligns seamlessly with our commitment to merging the human spirit and nature with grit, soul, and style.
We invite you to join us in welcoming Polina Karake to McCullough!