02 | University Village | Palm Desert CA | 24-Acre Lifestyle Center

Brief: University Village, a 24-acre master planned lifestyle center and business park represents a celebration of the desert and the community thriving within it.  The design leads patrons to a central retail plaza, cooled by giant date palms and sculptural rock fountains.  Bold textures and colors of desert planting accent natural tones of architecture and hardscape.  Located at the gateway of Palm Desert, the project’s high profile corner features a sloping rock garden welcoming city visitors. 

Role: My first project after joining LandArcWest as Asst. Project Manager, I gained an intimate knowledge drafting and refining construction documents and details.  After a few key staff departures, I was “thrown into the fire” if you will, as the Project Manager.  I quickly learned and over saw all project development, which included client and consultant management, coordination, and meetings, city submittal process, RFI processing, field meetings, and construction observation. 

Challenges: Severe desert climate caused design material contraints to ensure longevity of both hardscape and softscapes.  Strict water use guidelines required creative planting and irrigation schemes.  As the city’s “gateway” project, an intense coordination and submittal process was necessary to appease officials, client, and the integrity of the design.