Category: Ripley Design

As Landscape Architects and Land Planners invested in our city’s future, we couldn’t be more driven to share the details with you.

Following the adoption and subsequent repeal of the previous update last year, Fort Collins City Council has requested a fresh approach—one that not only enhances the functionality of the code but also preserves the current density requirements in key zone districts like RL, UE, NCL, NCM. It also includes renaming the NCL, NCM, and NCB zone districts to Old Town (OT) – A, B, and C.

The Land Use Code Improvements are a comprehensive set of changes aimed at providing clarity, reorganization, and the introduction of building form standards. These updates are also designed to streamline processes, making it easier to navigate the regulatory landscape while ensuring responsible growth and development.

These changes aren’t just about tweaking technicalities, however. They’re about aligning the code with broader policy objectives outlined in the City Plan, the Housing Strategic Plan, and the Our Climate Future plan. By integrating these policy directions, the City is not just shaping developments; they’re shaping a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for Fort Collins.

Now, let’s address the rumors: No, these changes do not entail density increases in specific residential zone districts, nor do they alter the use of private covenants. The City is committed to maintaining the integrity of our neighborhoods while fostering thoughtful, inclusive growth.

Nestled alongside the Poudre River in Downtown Fort Collins is a proposed innovative research facility at 301 E Lincoln. The vision for the landscape design is to cultivate the atmosphere of a Miyawaki forest. Miyawaki forests, renowned for their dense, multilayered vegetation and rapid growth, are crafted to mimic natural ecosystems created through the Miyawaki method. The Miyawaki method entails planting a variety of native plant species in a limited area at high density.

By adopting this approach, the objective is to foster biodiversity and evoke a sense of mystery within the landscape design, especially given the proximity to the river. By densely planting a diverse array of species, we aim to replicate the conditions of a natural forest on a micro scale, providing a thriving habitat for a wide spectrum of plant and animal life. The close clustering of trees will create microclimates similar to those found in natural forests. To further realize this vision, we plan to incorporate boulders and berms throughout the site, creating an evolving visual experience for employees and visitors. We eagerly anticipate witnessing how the implementation of the Miyawaki method at 301 East Lincoln, will enrich the surrounding environment.

What are your thoughts on incorporating the Miyawaki method into landscape designs? Share your ideas, challenges, or success stories below! Let’s explore how this innovative approach is reshaping urban landscapes.

At Ripley, we take great pride in honoring our licensed landscape architects! We conducted interviews with some of our landscape architects; Russ Lee, Sam Coutts, Klara Rossouw, and Joel Weikert to get to know them better.

Who is your favorite architect or landscape architect and why?

Russ Lee: “Mosha Safdie, His ability to create beauty with thoughtful meaning. He has a great story in one of his books about dealing with a synagogue design. The members of the synagogue wanted stain glass. He convinced the members that specially placed prisms would give the same effect as stain glass without adopting another religion’s traditional motif. Instead of saying no, he said yes through his thoughtful creativity”.

How do you overcome your challenges?

Joel Weikert: ” Reminding myself that the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time”.

What sets you apart from your colleagues?

Sam Coutts: “The lack of veggies in my diet and my love for Excel spreadsheets”.

What’s your design process like?

Klara Rossouw: “Every project you’re a part of, you’ll encounter something completely unique that you haven’t seen before. I think incorporating a learning mindset in the design process and being adaptable allows you to channel more creative solutions”.

What colleges did you attend?

Klara Rossouw: “I have a B.S. in Zoology from Mars Hill University and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Colorado State University”.

Russ Lee: “I received an undergraduate degree in history from Truman State University and a BLA and MLA from Iowa State University”.

Joel Weikert: “I received my BLA from Iowa State University in 2019”.

Sam Coutts: “I received my BLA from Colorado State University”.

At Ripley Design Landscape Architecture and Land Planning, we’ve updated our branding, launched a new easy-to-use website, and have made some important leadership changes to go along with our new online presence.

We Bring Creativity to All of Our Services

The branding and website were updated to better reflect our creativity and highlight our services to include:

• Landscape Architecture
• Development services
• Zoning and entitlement approvals
• Community Planning

Ripley Design, Inc. has over 30 years of experience in creating beautiful spaces that make communities fall in love with where they live. The goal of their customized design process is to minimize risk and provide a hassle-free experience their clients will love as much as their new space.

We provide comprehensive design and development services including: land planning, landscape architecture, urban design, and entitlement coordination to clients across Northern Colorado, Denver, Wyoming, and beyond. Because every project comes with its own unique set of challenges, opportunities, stressors, pleasures, risks, and fears, they identify obstacles early on, and carefully craft a strategy to gracefully navigate you through the journey.

Leadership for Now and the Future

To lead the helm in Ripley’s next phase of growth, Russell Lee has been named president, and Sam Coutts as vice president of operations. Company founder Linda Ripley will continue to contribute guidance from her 30-plus years of experience as a designer and mentor.

“As president of the company for the past year, Russ Lee has proven that he is an exceptional leader with the skills and talent to take Ripley Design into the future,” says Ripley. “He understands the importance of providing top-notch service along with exceptional design work.  He also knows the value of creating a company culture that inspires hard work and dedication as well as mutual respect and fun.”

Ripley also has high praise for Coutts. “In the years since joining Ripley Design, Sam Coutts has become a professional in every sense of the word. In addition to being a creative designer, Sam has become an organizational leader in the company using his education and experience to manage schedules and workloads efficiently. As Vice President of Operations, he will ensure that the office continues to develop and implement efficient and cost-effective systems to meet current and future needs of the company.”

She’s also grateful for her clients and her employees that have helped Ripley Designs become such a success. “As I transition to the next phase of my life, I’m filled with gratitude for the many clients who have shared their visions and allowed Ripley Design to help bring them to fruition. Equally important are all the employees, past and present, that have applied their individual energy and talents to create places we are all proud of.”

The talented design team at Ripley Design Inc. is committed to creative problem solving, design excellence, and above all client satisfaction. By applying our core values of excellence, innovation, and responsiveness to every project, we are able to provide cutting edge yet practical design solutions. The firm is committed to stewardship of the environment through maintaining and encouraging green practices in the office, striving to incorporate eco-friendly design solutions into projects, and by being community leaders in understanding and promoting environmentally responsible practices.