SQLA Inc.

A Landscape Architecture, Site Planning and Urban Design Firm Based in Brea

SQLA Inc. describes itself as an international landscape architecture, site planning and urban design firm dedicated to the art and craft of creating engaging environments with lasting presence for living, work and play. The firm was established in 1996 by Samuel Kim as Square Los Angeles, born from a vision to create a unique and innovative landscape and architectural design group, and today works from a studio on Saturn Street in Brea under California landscape architecture license CA#3249. Its stated philosophy is straightforward: whether real, abstract or virtual, nature is essential to healthy, resilient human environments.

Services

• Landscape architecture and site planning

• Urban design and streetscape design

• Community master planning

• Design-build construction through the LANDIST division

• Custom-fabricated site elements through the B2G division

• Commercial, institutional, residential and hotel and leisure projects

• Residential community and multi-family design

Design-Build Through LANDIST

Most design firms hand off a set of drawings and hope for the best. SQLA introduced LANDIST in 2003 specifically so it could build the vision of its own designs. The division treats construction as an R&D process, with designers approaching each project as the art and craft of sculpting space. The firm's argument for the arrangement is practical: having a designer involved in the build process helps contractors see beyond just the images on their screen and bring the intended passion and inspiration into existence. A third division, B2G, makes unique site elements to capture the right look and feel in the details, the pieces that rarely come off a catalog page.

Why SQLA Inc.

• Established in 1996, with three coordinated divisions covering design, build and custom fabrication

• Registered California landscape architecture license No. CA#3249

• Founder and principal designer Samuel K. Kim brings 38-plus years of experience

• A team of a dozen-plus designers and project managers with 6 to 38 years of experience each

• Portfolio spans multi-family residential communities, universities and colleges, commercial centers, private residential gardens, public projects and international work

• Campus and institutional work including UC Riverside, Pierce College, Pasadena College and West Los Angeles City College

• Firm's work has been featured in an article in Forbes Magazine

Common Questions

What exactly does SQLA do?

Three things, through three arms. SQLA designs places for memorable experience to live, work and play. LANDIST builds the vision of those designs. B2G makes the unique site elements that give a project its character.

What kinds of projects do you take on?

The published categories are commercial, residential, residential community, institutional, hotel and leisure, design-build, urban, plus in-the-works and concept work. Past projects range from Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevard apartment communities to college campuses and marina-adjacent developments.

Is SQLA licensed?

Yes. The firm publishes Landscape Architecture License No. CA#3249 on every page of its site.

Can SQLA both design and construct a project?

Yes. That is the reason LANDIST exists. Since 2003 the firm has been able to carry a project from design through construction rather than handing the drawings to an outside contractor.

Visit SQLA Inc.

The studio is at 2669 Saturn Street, Brea, CA 92821. Call (562) 905-0800 or email info@sqlainc.com to talk through a landscape architecture, site planning or design-build project.