Location: Newark, CA
Collaborators: Urban Arena,
Lennar, Engeo, Harris and Sloan,
ELS Landscape, Giacalone Design
Dates: 2019
Goal
As a landscape architecture firm based in the Bay Area, BLOCS was brought in to design the outdoor spaces for this high-density townhome development in Newark California. With limited space to work with, our challenge was clear: make every square foot feel generous, intentional, and usable.
Process
We began by immersing ourselves in the site and understanding how future residents would live, gather, and move through the space. Working closely with the developer and project team, we identified every square foot that could be activated—shared entries, side yards, easements and setbacks—and reimagined them as moments of connection and activity.
Result
The final design delivers far more than a simple community landscape design. It creates a cohesive, people-first experience—inviting residents outside, fostering neighborly encounters, and enhancing the identity of the development. It’s proof that even the tightest spaces can be transformed into places that feel expansive, intentional, and alive