Rubus Landscape Architecture is committed to creating climate-oriented landscapes that use native plants and local materials. Our goal is to make sustainable places that are beautiful, culturally and ecologically contextual, and a joy to be in. Although our client base is diverse, we are particularly experienced working with private clients, not-for-profit groups and community organizations, helping them define, design and develop their open space. Our name is Rubus from the plant genus including raspberries, black berries and cloud berries. This genus is found all over the world. It is tough, beautiful, habitat supporting, and delicious: values we believe in.
Services:
Concept Design
Schematic Design
Community Presentations
Approvals Presentations
Design Development
Construction Documents
Construction Supervision
Design Build (Planting)
Project Management
Master Plans
FOUNDER & PRINCIPLE:
Crystal Gaudio is a registered landscape architect in Connecticut and New York State. She has nineteen years of experience building landscapes throughout the US and is dedicated to the improvement and creation of sustainable public and private landscapes for the enjoyment of all. The beginning of her career took place in Brooklyn New York while working with the Prospect Park Alliance building noteworthy landscapes including the LeFrak Center at Lakeside, and the Zucker Natural Exploration Area to name just two. With the founding of Rubus Landscape Architecture, she has designed residential landscapes in Guilford, Brooklyn, and Los Angeles that highlight native and climate-oriented planting, worked as a Project Manager for Public Improvement Projects in Manhattan and has partnered with Interboro Partners and David Mason Associates designing a 16 acre prairie and forest restoration containing seven unique play areas in St. Louis’s 1000 acre Forest Park and currently is working with Interboro Partners and McLaren on public open spaces along the Erie Canal. Combining her work in Prospect Park and independently at Rubus, Crystal designed: trail heads, public parks, nature-based play areas, traditional playgrounds, restored natural areas, historic landscapes, native pollinator and habitat gardens, new waterfront promenades and plazas, intensive and extensive green roofs and general circulation and planting designs.
Awards:
ASLA-NY Merit Award for Design 2017 - Gardens Rising Green Infrastructure Feasibility Study (WE Design: Landscape Architect, NYCCGC: Client, Rubus Landscape: Project Manager)
Best of New York 2014: Playground - Donald and Barbara Zucker Natural Exploration Area (March 2014 issue New York Magazine)
New York’s Most Amazing Playgrounds 2013 - Vanderbilt Playground (July 30, 2013 New York Magazine)
Lucy Moses Award for Historic Restoration 2012 - Restoration of the Prospect Park Lakeshore and Music Island
ASLA-NY Merit Award for Design Excellence 2012 - Restoration of the Prospect Park Lakeshore and Music Island
NYC Design Commission Award for Excellence 2010 - Restoration of the Prospect Park Lakeshore from the Summer House to the Concert Grove and Music Island
Press:
St. Louis City Talk - Forest Park Nature Playscape, 2022
St. Louis Public Radio - NPR - Forest Park Nature Playscape, 2021
Architectural Digest - Brownstone Backyard, 2021
Archinect News - Forest Park Nature Playscape, 2019
Gardens Rising - ASLA-NY Merit Award
Restoration of Olmsted's Concert Grove and Music Island
Lakeside Center: New York Times
Lakeside Center: Landscape Architecture Magazine
Zucker Natural Exploration Area: New York Magazine Best 2014
Vanderbilt Playground: Park Slope Parents
Vanderbilt Playground: Timeout New York
Vanderbilt Playground: New York Magazine Best Playgrounds 2012