703 16th Street, Suite 100 San Diego, California 92101
P (619) 296-3150 F (619) 501-7725
McCullough’s Senior Associate, Benjamin Arcia, MUD, looks forward to contributing to the "Shaping the San Diego Region Through Development, Construction & Design" panel at the BISNOW San Diego State of the Market event, happening on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 8:00 AM. He'll be discussing forward-thinking, innovative spaces and their impact on the region.
We hope to see you there!
Safe Harbor Sunroad is the second harbor club renovation by McCullough, following the successful transformation of Cabrillo Isle on Harbor Island. Recognizing the potential of their recently acquired yacht clubs in the San Diego region, Safe Harbor Marinas once again partnered with McCullough for this next project. McCullough forged a strong relationship with the Port of San Diego, collaborating closely with the ownership team and Port staff to secure Board and California Coastal Commission approval for the renovation.
Located on Harbor Island, Safe Harbor Sunroad is a uniquely shaped, mid-century modern building that houses marina and yacht services. With its central position on the site, the building offers panoramic views of the Coronado naval base and Downtown San Diego. McCullough was tasked with modernizing the surrounding landscape to better meet the marina's needs while preserving the site’s mid-century charm.
The Port and Coastal Commission have clear directives to ensure public access along the waterfront and to enhance water run-off quality in all new developments. McCullough’s deep understanding of these requirements, coupled with close collaboration with Port staff, ensured the timely completion of this project. Renovations to the front area of Safe Harbor Sunroad included a new decomposed granite plaza for dining and events, ornamental planting areas, new boat display staging areas, and a new monument sign—all designed to break up and minimize the under-utilized grass lawn while maintaining unobstructed views of the water.
Around the building’s north side, a new decomposed granite lounge space with a double-sided see-through fireplace was added to the concrete paseo, which separates the building from the enclosed amenity pool area. A hot tub and thoughtfully selected plant palette were also integrated to complement the mid-century architecture, refreshing the space frequented by marina members and guests.
The amenity pool area, originally a large concrete deck lacking privacy, was transformed into a cozy, relaxing space through the addition of raised planters and a six-foot raised wooden deck for dining and lounging, featuring sustainable Kebony wood made from Monterey pine. This new lounge deck, complete with firepits, new barbecues, and a bar top table overlooking the marina, epitomizes the careful blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal that McCullough brings to every project.
Today, both yacht clubs—Cabrillo Isle and Sunroad—stand as significant improvements, enhancing San Diego’s bayfront real estate both environmentally and aesthetically.
We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Sophia Rumpf, ASLA, to Associate Landscape Designer/Project Manager! Since joining our team as a Junior Associate, Sophia has consistently demonstrated her passion for landscape architecture and her dedication to creating spaces that beautifully integrate into the natural and built environment.
Sophia’s journey in landscape architecture began with a deep curiosity about the world around her. As a child, she was captivated by the distinct styles of different cities, from the moss-laden trees in Charleston to the vibrant foliage in Kauai. This early fascination blossomed into a profound understanding of how thoughtfully designed spaces can evoke powerful emotions, whether it's a sense of safety and comfort or awe and wonder.
Her formal education at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture with an emphasis on sustainable environments, further fueled her passion. This academic foundation, coupled with her keen observational skills, has equipped Sophia to design landscapes that not only enhance the well-being of those who experience them but also contribute positively to the environment.
In her new role as Associate Landscape Designer/Project Manager, Sophia will be taking on greater responsibilities, leading projects that require both creative vision and strategic planning. Her ability to balance artistry with technical expertise, along with her commitment to sustainability, makes her an invaluable asset to our team as she steps into this leadership role.
Please join us in congratulating Sophia Rumpf on her well-deserved promotion. We look forward to seeing her continue to excel and make a lasting impact in her new role!
We are thrilled to announce that Senior Associate, Benjamin Arcia, MUD, has been selected as a juror for the 2024 Orchids & Onions awards, held by the San Diego Architectural Foundation.
Orchids & Onions is the only interactive, community-based program geared towards raising awareness and encouraging practical discourse in response to San Diego's built environment. The success of O&O relies heavily on the voice of the citizens of San Diego as public nominations are integral to the planning, growth, and future development of our city. With the City of Tijuana joining the program, O&O hopes to accomplish the same on both sides of the border!
A jury of design professionals, artists, and engaged citizens was selected -- from both sides of the border -- to determine the official Orchids & Onions award winners based upon all submissions in various categories.
(left to right, top to bottom in above photo)
* Benjamin Arcia, Urban Planner and Senior Associate at McCullough Landscape Architecture with work in various facets of the built environment, including prefab housing and carpentry.
* E. Chloé Lauer, Executive Director of the San Diego Bike Coalition and previous strategic planner and data analyst with the Port, developers and business districts.
* Alejandro Amaya, award winning Principal of Estudio Santander & Lunaa with several exhibitions in biennales worldwide.
* Allan Manzano, Graphic Designer and instructor at Minneapolis College of Art and Design with collaborations including Sony and Apple.
* Suzanne Clemmer, Associate Principal and Business Development Manager at DCI Engineers with 15 years of nonprofit work with SDAF.
* Rodolfo Argote, Director of the architecture and urbanism firm RA+ as well as Director of Plankton - Ocean Plastic Upcycle.
* Maxine Ward, licensed architect in California and the United Kingdom as well as Principal for Studio E Architects.
* Jesus Fernando Limon, architectural designer and Principal of the award-winning architectural practice, Prismatica.
* Rosa Agraz, architect and founding partner of Arroyo Solís Agraz with a focus on interior design.
We are pleased to announce several of McCullough’s collaborative projects are nominated for awards this year including Daffodil, Orchid, Gravity Heights Mission Valley, Red Door Interactive, and Chapman Place.
Visit sdarchitecture.com to cast your votes!
We are excited to spotlight our recent project, Gravity Heights Mission Valley, which opened to the public this past April. Building on the success of Gravity Heights Sorrento Valley, this new location from Whisknladle Hospitality continues their mission of celebrating good food, good beer, and great people.
Gravity Heights is a growing chain of restaurants in San Diego. McCullough partnered with the ownership team on their first groundbreaking establishment in Sorrento Valley and continued this collaboration for the second location in Mission Valley. This ground-up restaurant is part of the new mixed-use community, The Townsend. Early in the process, the McCullough team worked with the owner and architectural firm PGAL to develop a branding scheme inspired by San Diego's active outdoor culture.
Gravity Heights Mission Valley enhances the bohemian Tulum-inspired vibes of its Sorrento Valley predecessor, refining the beer garden aesthetic with modern Southern California styles. Emphasizing San Diego's ideal climate, the design offers a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. The outdoor space features flexible seating around a main lawn, with a plant-centric and eclectic landscape. We chose climate-tolerant plants from Mexico, the Mediterranean, and beyond, creating a diverse and inclusive look that reflects Southern California's multicultural influences.
Guests can relax around fire pits, in cozy Acapulco chairs, or at tables, enjoying the brewery's crisp, hoppy, or dark brews alongside a menu of munchies, pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches. The lush patio landscape, featuring coast live oaks, fence post cactus, and smooth aloes, sets a beautiful backdrop. To align with Gravity Heights' branding, we incorporated orange-flowering native shrubs and perennials like California poppy, orange agastache, and monkey flower.
Our goal was to create a welcoming atmosphere consistent with the local culture and context, offering a seamless indoor/outdoor environment that appeals to both residents and visitors, merging the human spirit with nature. Today, Gravity Heights Mission Valley is a success, providing an exceptional experience and achieving its stated goals.
