Dig Studio

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

Regional parks are often defined by the program they offer. Their long-term success depends on how the elements of that program work together.

Gilbert Regional Park balances a wide range of community experiences within a landscape shaped by both recreation and infrastructure. Located within a regional drainage facility, the 272-acre park integrates sports courts, open space, trails, play areas, a splash pad and a lake while continuing to support critical flood control functions.

Drawing inspiration from the surrounding mountains and geological forms of Arizona, the landscape transitions from structured, active recreation to more natural areas that support ecological function, stormwater management and everyday exploration.

As the park continues to evolve through future phases, the focus remains on creating a flexible framework capable of serving a growing community while responding to the unique opportunities and constraints of the site.

📍Gilbert, Arizona

Learn more: https://digstudio.com/work/gilbert-regional-park/

Dig Studio’s Willow Bend Park and Natural Area in Loveland is featured on the cover of the May 2026 issue of Parks & Recreation Magazine from National Recreation and Park Association for its approach to universal access, inclusive play and community-centered design.

Designed alongside disability advocates, caregivers, veterans and families, Willow Bend was shaped around creating shared experiences for people of all abilities through accessible play, sensory-rich spaces and nature-integrated design.

We’re grateful to the City of Loveland, Colorado - Government and the broader project team for helping bring this vision to life.

Read the full feature: https://bit.ly/4f2nphD

Construction progress at Holladay Hills Plaza ⛰️

A recent site visit offered a closer look at the ongoing transformation of the renovated Macy’s building and surrounding plaza at Holladay Hills in Holladay, Utah.

One of the things we’ve loved most about this project is the opportunity to create a plaza that feels connected to the local landscape and gives people places to slow down, gather and spend time outdoors. The natural stone elements now going in are beginning to shape that experience across the site.

Grateful to be collaborating with Woodbury Corporation, Nelsen Partners, Spectrum Engineers and Hydrosystems as the project continues to take shape.

A look inside the process. 👀

Our team recently visited Pikus 3D to coordinate a custom BBQ feature for an upcoming mixed use and multifamily project in Utah City alongside Nelsen Partners. The shop visit brought the team into the middle of the fabrication process, surrounded by material samples, physical models and advanced 3D printing technology that helped refine the design in real time.

3D printed concrete continues to open new possibilities for form, precision and craft and it’s exciting to see those ideas move from concept into fabrication.