YEARS OF GROWTH: THE LAST 25, THE NEXT 25
November 19, 2016
Leigh Kyle, RLA, ASLA
Principal at Spurlock Landscape Architects
Since 1990 San Diego has continuously evolved towards the complex urban center it is today, one that is both informed and constrained by its coastal desert setting. Over three decades Spurlock has combined deep understanding of southern California regional ecologies—urban, natural and political– with analysis, research, and design rigor. They’ve created transformative, restorative landscapes that embrace the paradoxes of the contemporary west and connect people, communities, and environments. Leigh Kyle will discuss the firm’s evolution and design approach, including future growth and the practice of taking the long view.
Leigh Kyle is a licensed landscape architect with an architecture background. Leigh serves as project Principal, Designer and Senior Project Manager on a variety of built and planning projects at Spurlock with a special focus on parks, public gardens and open space projects. With over 20 years of professional experience – first in the northeast and since 2002 in southern California — Leigh brings technical rigor and
sensitivity to the wide range of project conditions.
Leigh is currently working with the Balboa Park Conservancy on the restoration and activation of the historic lathe Botanical Building; the City of Carlsbad on a neighborhood Ornamental Garden; the Desert Botanical Garden on their Physical Master Plan Update and Butterfly Pavilion in Phoenix, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden on their Conservation Garden. She has also completed an organizational strategic plan for the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve; Fallen Star (with Artist Do Ho Suh) for the Stuart Collection at University of California, San Diego, and San Diego Federal Courthouse (with artist Robert Irwin) which included two guidelines packages addressing complex public/private issues in the urban environment.
Spurlock Landscape Architects was established by Andrew “Andy” Spurlock in 1988, and was soon joined by Martin Poirier. Poirier left the firm in 2015, and three long time employees joined Andy in ownership – Leigh Kyle, Yu Ju Liu and Brad Lents. As the firm has grown, the result has been a lively collaboration on a broad range of projects that have earned national, state and local awards from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Planning Association (APA).