RHI

Looking for a fun way to cool off during these hot summer days? We’ve got the place! Reservoir Park Recreation Center, opened in June, is Washington, D.C.’s newest city park, complete with an indoor pool, playground, a restored fountain, and splash pads! Reservoir Park is an exceptional example of the creative reuse of municipal infrastructure. The development of this community amenity involved the complex transformation of the early 20th-century McMillan Sand Filtration Site, a historic public works landmark. The facility filtered Potomac River water for D.C. households until 1986, when operations ceased. Preservationists fought to save the site as open space and a community park. After years of discussion and planning, the 6.2-acre park now welcomes the community as a recreational space while honoring the site’s industrial heritage. We are proud to have contributed to the landscape architectural design and construction of this unique public space, collaborating with Gilbane Building Company and Quinn Evans to realize the Master Plan and concept design developed by Perkins Eastman DC and Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects. Visitors to the park can cool off at the multiple splash pads, picnic, swim, and enjoy the amenities, all while learning about the history of the former filtration site. The park preserves the iconic silos, and views into the original sand bins, filtration cells, and other structures have been retained. Future development surrounding the park will include new housing and retail. Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser praised the new park: “For the first time in decades, this site is not only back to productive use, but open to the public. Today, we are celebrating the transformation of underutilized land into a beautiful new recreation center and play space for the community.”

'Tis the season of giving! At RHI, we’re kicking off Thanksgiving with purpose! This year, we’re proud to support the Capitol Area Food Bank with an office-wide food drive, helping to spread some holiday cheer to those in need. We also came together for our monthly office meeting, where we shared a festive Thanksgiving meal, celebrating gratitude and community. What's your favorite dish for this festive occasion? 🦃 🍗 🍁 #RHI #OfficeCulture #Thanksgiving #SeasonofGiving #Friendsgiving #TeamsGiving

Join RHI Principal Jennifer Koch, AICP, CODE STUDIO INC's Christy S. Dodson and the City of Charlottesville's James Freas to discuss the development and impacts of Cville Plans Together! This groundbreaking process included the development of an affordable housing plan, comprehensive plan update, and new zoning ordinance. Expect a lively and poignant discussion about how zoning can enable affordable housing and reinforce more equitable outcomes. Charlottesville's new zoning code uses a range of strategies that allow for diverse housing types, by-right in all neighborhoods in the City, and requires affordable units in larger projects.

In celebration of Diwali last week, we’re excited to spotlight a project that reflects the strong bond between the United States and India. RHI, in collaboration with WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism, designed the landscape for the new US Embassy campus in New Delhi. The design prioritizes security and resilience while incorporating sustainable, water-efficient features. A central landscape corridor connects the historic and new embassy campuses, with the iconic Chancery building showcasing a renovated landscape that blends old and new materials. We’ve used native plants and local materials, while also incorporating water-saving systems like wastewater recycling for irrigation and a stormwater basin, reducing water usage by over 30%. Our team had the privilege of exploring New Delhi’s rich heritage, visiting landmarks like the Taj Mahal, Humayun's Tomb, and the beautiful Lodhi Garden.  #landscapearchitecture #sustainabledesign #diwali

What could be better than a sketch walk on a crisp fall afternoon? Our talented RHI team, guided by urban designers Rohan Singh and Brad Benmoshé CNU-A, LEED Green Associate, CPTED, took to the historic streets of Old Town Alexandria last Thursday. Following a theme as fun as it is spooky—"Nightmare on Prince Street-scape"—we explored the charming, yet haunting, atmosphere of Prince Street. Stay tuned as we continue to discover the beauty of our neighborhood! #landscapearchitecture #sketchwalk #oldtownalexandria

As part of the ASLA 2024 conference, RHI’s Elliot Rhodeside, FASLA was joined by industry leaders Roger Courtenay, FASLA (EDAW/AECOM), Suzette Goldstein, AICP LEED AP (HOK), Xingye Pan, PLA, LEED GA, WELL AP (HOK), Sean Kennealy (NPS), Ryan McEnroe, FAIA (Quinn Evans) and Lauren Brandes (Smithsonian Gardens) for a field session on memorialization on the National Mall. We delved into four key areas: the rich history of the National Mall, the revitalization of the greensward, the beautiful gardens surrounding the Smithsonian Institution's Castle, and the new National Native American Veterans Memorial at the National Museum of the American Indian. The group also stopped at the Hirshhorn Museum to see the progress on the RHI-led renovation of its sculpture garden and the National Air and Space Museum. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended for your engagement and insightful conversations! Together, we’re shaping the future of these meaningful spaces. #ASLA2024 #Memorialization #NationalMall #LandscapeArchitecture

We hope everyone has been enjoying the #ASLA2024 conference in our nation’s capital! With the convention center a quick metro ride away from our Alexandria office, RHI staff is taking full advantage of this year’s conference, both contributing and attending. A few of our team members met at the Potomac Chapter ASLA booth for a quick photo in between a busy day of panels and field sessions. Over the weekend, Principal Sukirti Ghosh and Senior Associate Rachel Schneider led college students from across the country on sketch walks throughout downtown DC, stopping at iconic locations like the National Portrait Gallery atrium and notable new projects such as CityCenterDC. It was a day of sunny weather, quality landscapes, and great drawings. 

🌍 Happy World Tourism Day! At RHI, we've had the incredible opportunity to explore diverse cultures and stunning landscapes around the globe. Today, we want to celebrate the amazing countries our team has visited! Share your travel experiences with us—what destinations have left a mark on your heart? Comment below! ✈️ #WorldTourismDay #TravelDiaries #ExploreWithRHI

Construction is underway at the new Ashburn Recreation Center in Loudoun County, Virginia! In collaboration with architects Page/MJMA, RHI is transforming the landscape to promote play for everyone. RHI's design for the central courtyard features an inclusive outdoor water/spray play area, accessible to the community center and open to the public. A recent site visit gave our team the opportunity to see how the stunning sculptural cantilever water feature is coming along! You can find out more about the project by visiting the county’s page at the link in the comments.