Bird migration patterns mapped by MIT

Using the citizen-science eBird database, scientists at MIT created this map. Fun watching on a Friday morning!

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

NEXT STOP: Making Transit Work for Rhode Island

Thanks Grow Smart RI and the Coalition for Transportation Choices for putting together this informative forum. We learned that 80% of Rhode Islanders live within a 10-minute walk from a transit stop but only 2.7% use transit regularly.  Great case studies on how public private partnerships were developed to improve transit choices and local economies.  Nice to see Governor Raimondo coming out to support these efforts.

East Greenwich Library cuts the ribbon

SDG was honored to be a part of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Reading Terrace and outdoor wi-fi access area at the East Greenwich Free Library today. Many talented and generous people contributed to this project: not least of which was the Damon Company and their sub-contractors who made our designs a reality, and the Library Board, all of whom were such a joy to work with... Many thanks to this wonderful group. We hope to work with you all again in the future in some capacity!

Frazier Terrace complete in time for inauguration

The addition of paving, lighting and planting at Frazier Terrace was completed last week in time for Rosanne Somerson inauguration as RISD's 17th president. Searle Design Group's vision for the Terrace couldn't have become a reality without the hard work of RISD staff, especially Jack Silva, Associate Vice President of Facilities, Joe Melo, Custodial and Grounds Supervisor, and Bruce Jensen, Electrical/Plumbing Supervisor. Bruce also provided us with the photos you see above.

Phil Taylor and his crew from Bel Terra Landscaping worked hard to implement the design that will make the Terrace a more inviting and usable space. We hope that RISD and all members of the community will enjoy this space for years to come.

Searle Design Group 40th Anniversary Party

Thank you to everyone who came out last night to help us celebrate the firm's 40th anniversary. We appreciate your support over the years and hope to continue for many more.  Thanks especially to Charlie Cannon and Evelyn Hafferty for the Forest Street Farm T-shirts!

East Greenwich Library is planted

Fall is in the air and the plants are in the ground at the East Greenwich Free Library at 82 Peirce St. Library patrons and staff alike are already reporting a boost in mood and energy that comes from walking through a garden to get into the Library, according to Karen Taylor, Library Director. That's why we got into landscape architecture!

Work is complete at RISD's Congdon House rain gardens.

Just in time for the start of the school year. More photos to come on our Projects page.

"Our RISD" shares news of Searle Design Group reorg →

We are excited that "Our RISD" has shared the news of Searle and Searle's transition to Searle Design Group. All three partners at SDG are RISD alumni, and Colgate Searle is a professor in the Landscape Architecture Department there. We are currently designing landscape site improvements at two locations on RISD's campus. Check out our Facebook page to see a few images of these works in progress.

Searle Design Group welcomes Taber Jossi Caton as Principal

We are pleased to announce our new partnership between Colgate Searle, FASLA, Taber Jossi Caton, ASLA and Melissa Bagga, ASLA. The growth of the firm will allow for increased capacity in k-12 and higher education planning and design as well as residential and senior housing.  We will also continue our history of work in master planning, historic landscapes, residential gardens and the design of environmentally sensitive landscapes.

Colgate's research at EARTH University, La Flor Campus, Costa Rica

Colgate's EARTH/RISD wintersession studio took RISD students to Costa Rica to build this off the grid, hi-tech/lo-tech prototype classroom for rural schools. In the field, RISD students and faculty, along with members of the EARTH University community, finalized the design for the classroom; built elevations, a cistern/water purification system, doors and louvers, and the landscape. This Studio is part of an ongoing, collaborative project between EARTH University + RISD.

Ultimately, the classroom, with its inside/outside learning environments, demonstrates how integrating curriculum, teaching, energy and hi-tech systems, landscape and space contributes to a transformative learning experience.

EARTH University, based in Guacimo, close to Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, is at the forefront of identifying, testing, and sharing techniques for sustainable agriculture and community development in the tropics. Since 2007, RISD and EARTH University have partnered to engage in design studios focused on many topics at the La Flor campus in Liberia, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica.