RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture

06/09/2026

We are pleased to announce that Ryan Binkowski has been promoted to President of RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture. Ryan succeeds longtime President Chris Crawford, who has retired after an extraordinary 40-year career and legacy of leadership.

In his previous role as Senior Vice President of Operations, Ryan has played a pivotal role in strengthening our operations, supporting strategic growth, and fostering the collaborative culture that defines RVi. His leadership, vision, and commitment to our people, clients, and partners position us well for the future.

We are grateful to Chris for his decades of dedication and the lasting impact he has had on our firm, our culture, and our industry. As we begin this new chapter, we remain committed to our mission of designing a better world through innovative planning and landscape architecture.

Please join us in congratulating Ryan on his new role and thanking Chris for his remarkable leadership.

https://www.rviplanning.com/blog/rvi-planning-landscape-architecture-promotes-ryan-binkowski-to-president/

06/05/2026

🌍 World Environment Day 2026

At RVi, we understand that strong communities depend on a healthy, sustainable environment. As we work alongside our partners and stakeholders to create positive impact, we recognize the importance of protecting the natural resources that support the well-being, resilience, and future prosperity of the communities we serve.

World Environment Day is a reminder that environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility. Through thoughtful planning, sustainable practices, and collaborative action, we can help build communities that are not only stronger today but better prepared for tomorrow.

Together, we can make a lasting difference - for our communities, our environment, and future generations.

05/29/2026

Drum roll please! After nearly four decades of leadership, mentorship, and lasting impact, we’re celebrating Chris Crawford as he steps into retirement and closes an extraordinary chapter at RVi.

Chris joined RVi in 1986 as a new college graduate and went on to help shape not only the growth of the firm, but also the culture and relationships that continue to define us today. From mentoring future leaders to guiding RVi through tremendous growth, Chris leaves behind a legacy rooted in creativity, connection, and community impact.

Throughout his time as President, Chris helped grow RVi from a small team of 25 into the nearly 200-person firm it is today — all while staying grounded in the values that have always set RVi apart.

Chris, thank you for your leadership, vision, and the countless relationships you’ve built over the years. Your impact on RVi, our clients, and the communities we serve will be felt for generations to come. We wish you all the best in this next chapter.

Read the full story and join us in celebrating Chris’s remarkable career and lasting legacy at RVi: https://bit.ly/4dWIRT3

05/28/2026

How can a master planned community designed today continue to thrive decades from now?

That question sits at the heart of RVi’s latest thought leadership article from Mark Reddie, Southwest Regional VP and featuring additional perspective from Chris Baker, Principal in Reno.

In an environment where housing demands, infrastructure priorities, market conditions, and community expectations are constantly evolving, entitlement strategy can no longer be treated as simply a regulatory milestone. It must become a framework for long-term adaptability, resilience, and placemaking.

Using Solstice Foothills in Goodyear, Arizona as a case study, Mark explores how flexible zoning approaches, Land Use Character Areas (LUCA), and meaningful community engagement helped create a planning framework designed to evolve over time while preserving community identity. The article highlights:

• Why flexible entitlement strategies create stronger long-term development outcomes
• How balancing certainty and adaptability benefits both municipalities and developers
• The role of community engagement in shaping resilient planning solutions
• Why “good planning is often done in the grey”

As communities continue to grow and change, the most successful places will be the ones designed with enough flexibility to evolve while still delivering a strong sense of place and long-term value.

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/433eV2t

By Mark Reddie, Regional Vice President, Southwest at RVi Over the course of my career, I have spent more than 30 years helping communities across the Southwest plan for growth through comprehensive planning, annexation, rezoning, and subdivision design. More recently, I have had the opportunity to....

05/22/2026

Moonlight is helping shape the next chapter of desert living in Maricopa, Arizona.

Once a longstanding dairy operation, the 489-acre master-planned community is being transformed into a connected, outdoor-oriented place designed for all stages of life. Working with Forestar Group Inc., RVi helped guide the planning, entitlement strategy, landscape architecture, and community theming to create a framework that feels flexible, cohesive, and distinctly rooted in the Sonoran Desert.

At the heart of the community is a “community center without walls” – an open-air gathering space linked to trails, shaded play areas, pickleball and volleyball courts, a resort-style pool, event lawn, outdoor kitchen, fireplace, and future fitness amenities. Each experience is designed to serve a different user group while connecting residents through movement, recreation, and shared outdoor life.

“We really focused on designing something for everyone. Not just a single set of amenities with universal appeal, but actually a specific amenity for each user group, linked together.” says Katie LaBelle, PLA, RVi Landscape Architect, who has been leading the work since 2020.

As Maricopa continues to grow, Moonlight shows how thoughtful planning, market insight, and strong placemaking can turn a fast-growing development into a community with lasting identity.

See how it all comes to life in the in-depth project spotlight: https://bit.ly/4tVdYnV

05/18/2026

What a great day celebrating the grand opening of the Tumlinson Playscape located in the Block House MUD in Leander, Texas.

This fort-themed destination was designed to spark imagination, encourage exploration, and create moments of connection for families and children of all ages. Seeing the community experience the space for the first time — climbing, playing, and discovering together — was a reminder of why thoughtful public spaces matter.

We’re grateful to everyone who helped bring this project to life including Trent Rush, Eric Hornig and Bo Baolige and proud to be part of creating places with staying power.

05/15/2026

Honored to see Legado West, a PulteGroup and David Weekley Homes community, receive the 2026 Citation Award from the Arizona Masonry Council. Proud to help shape this Queen Creek community through planning, zoning, entitlements, and landscape architecture for the design of the entry monuments and amenities.

05/13/2026

At RVi, every place begins with a story — and few people understand that better than Creative Director Sean McKenna.

Based in our Austin office, Sean leads RVi’s Visioning + Brand Design practice, helping communities, campuses, hospitality destinations, and developments uncover what makes them distinct and memorable. His approach blends strategy, storytelling, and design to create experiences that connect people to place in meaningful ways.

“What I’m really hoping we do, in large part, is to help clients fall in love with their own story.” — Sean McKenna

From shaping immersive brand experiences to leading collaborative visioning sessions, Sean believes great design is about more than aesthetics. It’s about creating clarity, emotion, and lasting impact.

Outside the studio, Sean finds inspiration through music, travel, nature, and creative exploration — experiences that continue to shape the way he thinks about storytelling and placemaking.

We’re proud to spotlight Sean and the creativity, curiosity, and collaborative spirit he brings to RVi every day.

Read the full spotlight: https://bit.ly/4dow4sf

05/07/2026

There’s something pretty great about rolling up your sleeves and giving back to the places our communities use every day.

Last Saturday, our Naperville team spent the morning volunteering with the Naperville Park District, spreading mulch in tree rings and planting beds at Huntington Commons Park. It’s part of an ongoing effort with the The Rotary Club of Naperville—spring and fall clean-ups that help keep these neighborhood spaces looking and performing their best.

Small acts, real impact—and a few sore muscles the next day to prove it.

Big thanks to everyone who joined: Bridget Deatrick, Jenna Beck, Monica Goshorn-Maroney, Mirandi Berger (and Gage Berger), Joe Brusseau (and Laura Wrasman), and Amelia Gonzales.

05/01/2026

Exciting news in Chicago! A new space for exploration, learning, and connection has officially opened.

At the Garfield Park Conservatory, the ribbon has been cut on the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden, an immersive indoor environment designed to spark curiosity and bring kids closer to nature in a whole new way.

From planning through construction, RVi’s focus remained clear: create a space that performs in a demanding indoor climate while preserving the historic character of one of Chicago’s most treasured places.

The result is a living classroom. One that will grow with the community for years to come.

Grateful for the incredible team, partners, and collaborators who brought this to life. Your creativity and commitment are what made this space possible.

To learn more about the project: https://bit.ly/4mYRIYc