Dig Studio

A place to pause during the day. A shaded spot to meet a friend. A plaza filled with people for a concert or community event. 🤝

Novus Place at Novus Innovation Corridor was designed to make room for all of it. Developed by Banbury Development on Arizona State University-owned property, the mixed-use district is creating new opportunities in Tempe to work, live, gather and spend time outdoors.

The 19-acre public realm creates a pedestrian-first environment through shaded plazas, promenades, a central green and flexible gathering spaces. Movable furnishings, integrated lighting and a large ramada allow the space to adapt throughout the day, supporting everyday activity alongside larger events and community programming.

That flexibility allows Novus Place to serve as both a gateway to the district and a welcoming public space shaped around how people move, gather and spend time there.

Photography: Jason Roehner

Explore the project: digstudio.com/work/asu-novus-place/

Congratulations to Dig Studio Principal and Co-Founder Gretchen Wilson on being featured in an LSU College of Art + Design Alumni Spotlight!

The feature celebrates Gretchen's career, her recent election to the 2026 ASLA Council of Fellows, one of the profession's highest honors and her upcoming service as 2027 ASLA President. It also offers a thoughtful look at the values that have guided her work including collaboration, community engagement and designing places that improve both people and the environment.

We're proud to celebrate Gretchen's leadership and grateful to LSU for sharing her story.

Read the full profile👇

design.lsu.edu

Every project begins with a question: How can this place better serve the people who experience it every day?

We're honored to have two projects recognized on the 2026 World Landscape Architecture Shortlist.

16th Street Renovation was shortlisted in the Built Large Public Space Design category for reimagining one of Denver's most recognizable streets as a more connected, accessible and people-centered public realm.

City Park Nature Play was shortlisted in the Built Small Public Space Design category for creating a play environment where children engage with nature through exploration, movement and discovery.

Together, these projects reflect our belief that great landscapes strengthen communities by creating places that invite people to gather, play and connect.

Thank you to our clients, collaborators and project partners for trusting us with these meaningful places, and congratulations to all of this year's shortlisted teams and award recipients.

Safer streets create stronger communities. 🌿

This week, the West Colfax Streetscape and Pedestrian Safety Improvements project reached an exciting milestone with an official ribbon-cutting, celebrating the transformation of one of Denver's high-injury corridors.

Dig Studio partnered with the City and County of Denver Government and the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure to design landscape architecture improvements along West Colfax Avenue between Irving Street and Sheridan Boulevard. The project includes new medians, curb extensions, enhanced crosswalks and drought-tolerant landscaping that work together to calm traffic, improve pedestrian safety and make the corridor more welcoming for everyone.

We're proud to have helped create a public space that supports safer travel, strengthens neighborhood connections and improves the everyday experience for the people who live, work and visit West Colfax.

Bike to Work Day is a reminder that when communities invest in safe, connected streets and trails, getting from point A to point B becomes part of the experience. 🚲

At Dig Studio, we're proud to help design places that make walking, biking and everyday movement easier, healthier and more enjoyable.

A vision years in the making is beginning to take shape.

The first tower at South Pier at Tempe Town Lake has officially opened, marking a major milestone for the 12.4-acre mixed-use waterfront development. Designed as a vibrant, walkable destination, the project brings together residential, retail and public spaces along one of City of Tempe's most prominent waterfront corridors.

Our team partnered on the landscape architecture for South Pier, helping shape the embankment, central green and retail streetscapes that connect residents and visitors to the lakefront experience. Every element of the landscape is intended to support an active, connected waterfront experience, from gathering spaces and outdoor amenities to pedestrian-friendly shoreline connections.

With two additional towers expected to open later this year, we're excited to see this transformative waterfront district continue to come to life.

Check out the South Pier website 🔗
https://southpierlive.com/

Great neighborhoods don't happen by accident. They take vision, investment and a long-term commitment to creating places where people want to spend time.

Last week, members of the Dig Studio team joined community leaders, residents and partners to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Ballpark General Improvement District and the opening of its new community office.

Over the past year, the district has made meaningful investments in the neighborhood through streetscape enhancements, public realm improvements, tree care, hospitality services and community-building initiatives that help strengthen Ballpark's identity and improve the day-to-day experience for residents, workers and visitors alike.

Congratulations to the Ballpark GID team on an impactful first year. We're excited to see the neighborhood continue to evolve through thoughtful planning, placemaking and public realm improvements.

Please join us in welcoming Kathryn Butler to DIG Studio as Associate and Marketing Manager.

Kathryn brings a thoughtful approach to AEC marketing, combining strategic thinking with a deep appreciation for the natural and built environments. She has a talent for uncovering what makes projects unique and translating those details into compelling stories that support teams, clients and communities.

Her ability to balance big-picture goals with the details that drive successful pursuits makes her a valuable addition to our team.

We're excited to have Kathryn on board and look forward to the impact she'll make as we continue to grow.

Learn more about Kathryn and the rest of the team: https://digstudio.com/people/

Community engagement is one of the most important parts of the design process.

Last week, members of our Phoenix team joined the City of Tempe Government and project partners for a community engagement event focused on the future of Rio North Shore Park. Residents had the opportunity to explore the emerging vision for the park, share feedback and help shape the next chapter of this important community space.

A highlight of the event was an interactive physical model created by Holly Street Studio, which helped bring the concept to life and sparked thoughtful conversations about the park's future.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to share ideas, ask questions and participate in the process. Community input is essential to creating parks that reflect local priorities, support everyday experiences and serve future generations.

There's still time to share your feedback through the City of Tempe's online survey ⬇️
https://communityfeedback.opengov.com/portals/tempeaz/Issue_15015