As urban areas expand, degraded lands robbed of natural resilience and biodiversity often lie in development’s path—presenting both challenges and opportunities. The Flewellen Creek Restoration project transforms a derelict 130-acre ranching ditch into a vibrant 3-mile ecosystem, anchoring the new 3,200-acre Cross Creek Ranch community.
Rooted in biomimicry and fluvial geomorphology, the design re-establishes natural creek dynamics. Reintroduced meanders double the creek’s length, creating a 450 to 600-foot-wide floodplain corridor, which shielded surrounding homes during Hurricane Harvey. A 50-acre polishing pond and water treatment facility feed the creek while filtering community irrigation water.
Indigenous vegetation replaces invasive species, establishing riparian forests, prairie meadows, and water-cleansing wetlands. Wildlife has returned in abundance, with native fish, turtles, and migratory birds thriving among strategically placed habitat structures. The endeavor yields impressive annual results: a 65% decrease in mowing expenses, an 81-ton reduction in fertilizer use, 4 million gallons of drinking water saved, and 184 tons of carbon sequestered per acre.
With 42% of residents living adjacent to the re-naturalized space, multi-use trails, boardwalks, and platforms invite exploration of the ecotones. The Arbor Park Sports Complex and disc golf course nestled amid the natural beauty further enhance daily life in this community. This multi-award-winning project is a paragon of restorative excellence, proving that nature and community can gracefully coexist. It demonstrates how conscientious designers can transform environmental challenges into opportunities, creating sustainable, resilient spaces that benefit both ecosystems and residents.
Riyadh East Sub-Center
SWA provided comprehensive planning for a new 300-hectare commercial, mixed-use center in northeast Riyadh abutting the KKI Airport. This area is part of an urban management framework being developed to guide the future growth of the city. SWA developed a plan and implementation strategy to establish an urban center comprising residential neighborhoods, corpor...
Quail Hill
This mixed-use planned community of over 6,000 people features over 2,000 dwellings in a broad mix of single family detached dwellings, and over 500 multifamily dwellings, complemented by a retail center and 800,000 square feet of flexible development. . Prominent natural landforms such as the Southern Ridge and the three knolls have been preserved and incorpo...
Esencia
Esencia, a planned community in Rancho Mission Viejo, California, emphasizes health and well-being. This premium real estate development, which is integrated into a 17,000-acre open space preserve characterized by oak canyons, creeks and orchards, envisions wellness holistically. It offers residents extraordinary views, comprehensive access to nature, and a ra...
Santaluz
This planned community 30 minutes north of San Diego is a testament to the collaboration of a visionary client, talented land planner, and creative designers and marketers. Set gracefully on its rolling site and preserving over half its acreage as open space, Santaluz is both a model of environmental planning and a financial success, out-performing all its loc...