ROESLING NAKAMURA TERADA ARCHITECTS
URBAN DESIGN & PLANNING
RNT’s Planning Services Mission
San Diego City College Master Plan
Location : San Diego, CA
Core Values
Planning Services
RNT Planning Principles
Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.
Jane Jacobs
Location : Ventura, CA
RNT’s Planning Services Mission
RNT’s planning philosophy is a direct extension of our architectural mindset, which is rooted in the idea that great human spaces emerge through a constant flux of collaboration, disruption, and innovation. We build on a history not of tradition, but of research, experimentation, and the ongoing questioning of what we strive to know about a place.
We believe the craft of planning is about interrogating the forces that shape our environments. We embrace interdisciplinary dialogue and removing boundaries between architecture, planning, and culture to create spaces that are not only interconnected but are as dynamic and unpredictable as the communities they serve.
We are interested in the concept of timelessness as something that evolves—forward-thinking, ever-changing, and responding to the very real needs of people, places, and the constant shift of life. Our projects are not predetermined but are the result of ideas colliding, context unraveling, and meaning emerging. Through the cross-pollination of these ideas, our goal is to craft meaningful, context-driven projects that respond to the unique needs of the people and communities they serve.
Ventura 101 Beach + Town Freeway Capping Study
Origins
Although RNT’s founding partners come from diverse backgrounds—California (Beach Cities), Tokyo, Yokohama, and Hong Kong—they share a design approach that has shaped the firm’s philosophy and values from the beginning. They combine pragmatic needs with intuitive exploration through various design study artifacts. This method balances the needs of human habitation with the expressive craft of design and construction. Since its inception, RNT’s leadership and staff have remained committed to the artful expression of fundamental planning and architectural elements: light, material, and spatial sequences.
The diverse credentials of our team contribute to a distinct design philosophy: an ethic of storytelling through our craft. This studio culture of diversity has evolved over the years; with our staff bringing multitalented qualifications and representing more than eight languages within the firm. Our newer partners continue this tradition of critical thinking and cultural diversity with a design sensibility that is poetic, understated, and purposeful.
Location : San Diego, CA
San Diego City College Master Plan
Core Values
Same as RNT’s approach to architecture, our craft is the creation of urban design language and honest expression of the values and human story of each community. Together we engage in the “joy of craft” by listening well and making client centered proposals with planning artifacts such as sketches, drawings, renderings, physical and digital models, collages and written narratives etc.
In parallel with this process, we engage and study the region, local culture, and site context to establish strong narrative of “place” that becomes our inspiration. Our design ethic is to be client and human centered, bringing forward design principles that are timeless, elegant, authentic, and supportive of well-being. Our Core Values are listed below giving a window into the ethics that influence our design process:
Planning Core Values
• The joy of craft and design excellence
• Encourage exploration, creativity and innovation
• Support diverse ideas and critical thinking from all participants
• Strive to understand place, culture, and the traditions of architecture
• Listen well and bring forward the story of the client and community
• Poetically reveal and bring art to everyday life
• Build a positive office culture and apply to external communities
• Mindful, sustainable and resilient design to support communities
• Adapt to global changes
: San Diego, CA
Ocean Beach Pier Renewal Plan
Location
Ci v i c / M u n c i p a l • C o m m u n t i y • P l a n n i n g • W a t e r f r o n t P l a n n i n g
U t i l i t i e s • P a r k s a n d R e c r e a t i o n • U r b a n D i s t r i c t s • A r t s a n d C U l t u r e
RNT Planning Services
• Urban Design
• Visioning Studies
• Community Plans
• Site Master Plans
• Strategic Planning
• Waterfront Master Plans
• Feasibility Studies
• Programming Studies
• K-12 and Higher Education Campus Master Plans
• Facility Assessment Reports
• Federal / DoD Master Plans and Studies
• Community Outreach
• Entitlement Permits
• Specific Plans
• District Plans
• Zoning, Design Standards, Form Based-Codes
RNT Planning Principles
RNT’s planning principles Our approach is rooted in fostering meaningful connections—between people, places, nature, and history. We emphasize interconnectivity by restoring and strengthening the social and environmental bonds that make communities thrive. Through place-based urbanism, we build upon the unique qualities of each location, celebrating its people, culture, and character to shape authentic, vibrant environments. This includes honoring the history and culture of each community, ensuring that growth is grounded in identity and continuity.
We are committed to enhancing quality of life by creating neighborhoods that are human-scaled, diverse, and inclusive. Our housing and community plans embrace flexibility, sustainability, and affordability, while remaining inspiring and socially connected. We also prioritize cultural beacons—such as museums, parks, libraries, and gathering spaces—that reflect and reinforce community values. These elements serve as anchors for civic life and are essential to creating a sense of belonging and pride.
Looking forward, we recognize the urgency of designing for a changing world. By planning with nature, we support environmental restoration and stewardship, while also ensuring that communities are adaptable to climate change and resilient in the face of evolving conditions. Our work extends into the professional realm as well, where we are dedicated to optimizing workplace environments that enhance employee well-being, productivity, and joy. Together, these principles guide us in building places that are not only functional, but deeply rooted, resilient, and inspiring.
Location : San Diego, CA
San Diego Downtown East Village Vision Plan
RNT Planning Principles
• Interconnectivity
Fostering vibrant environments by creating and restoring mutual connections between people, places, and systems.
• Place-Based Urbanism
Designing with intention by celebrating the distinct character of each place and its people to build authentic, resilient communities.
• Quality of Life Neighborhoods
Crafting housing and planning solutions that are humanscaled, diverse, flexible, innovative, sustainable, social, affordable—and inspiring at every level.
• Cultural Beacons
Championing the creation of museums, libraries, parks, and recreational spaces that define and elevate community identity.
• Inspiring Nature Stewardship
Planning with nature to restore ecosystems, shape responsible growth, and inspire a deeper environmental ethic.
• Adapting to Changing Environments
Designing adaptable, climate-responsive communities that thrive in the face of evolving environmental conditions.
• Optimizing Workplace Environments
Creating workplaces that attract talent, support well-being, and enhance the overall employee experience.
• Honoring History and Culture
Grounding plans in the unique history and cultural fabric of a place to create lasting meaning and identity.
Ventura 101 Beach + Town Freeway Capping Study
Location : Ventura, CA
RNT Planning Principles
• Interconnectivity
Fostering vibrant environments by creating and restoring mutual connections between people, places, and systems.
• Place-Based Urbanism
Designing with intention by celebrating the distinct character of each place and its people to build authentic, resilient communities.
• Quality of Life Neighborhoods
Crafting housing and planning solutions that are humanscaled, diverse, flexible, innovative, sustainable, social, affordable—and inspiring at every level.
• Cultural Beacons
Championing the creation of museums, libraries, parks, and recreational spaces that define and elevate community identity.
• Inspiring Nature Stewardship
Planning with nature to restore ecosystems, shape responsible growth, and inspire a deeper environmental ethic.
• Adapting to Changing Environments
Designing adaptable, climate-responsive communities that thrive in the face of evolving environmental conditions.
• Optimizing Workplace Environments
Creating workplaces that attract talent, support well-being, and enhance the overall employee experience.
• Honoring History and Culture
Grounding plans in the unique history and cultural fabric of a place to create lasting meaning and identity.
City of Vista
Downtown Specific Plan
Location : Vista, CA
RNT Planning Principles
• Interconnectivity
Fostering vibrant environments by creating and restoring mutual connections between people, places, and systems.
• Place-Based Urbanism
Designing with intention by celebrating the distinct character of each place and its people to build authentic, resilient communities.
• Quality of Life Neighborhoods
Crafting housing and planning solutions that are humanscaled, diverse, flexible, innovative, sustainable, social, affordable—and inspiring at every level.
• Cultural Beacons
Championing the creation of museums, libraries, parks, and recreational spaces that define and elevate community identity.
• Inspiring Nature Stewardship
Planning with nature to restore ecosystems, shape responsible growth, and inspire a deeper environmental ethic.
• Adapting to Changing Environments
Designing adaptable, climate-responsive communities that thrive in the face of evolving environmental conditions.
• Optimizing Workplace Environments
Creating workplaces that attract talent, support well-being, and enhance the overall employee experience.
• Honoring History and Culture
Grounding plans in the unique history and cultural fabric of a place to create lasting meaning and identity.
Levant Street Senior Housing
Location : San Diego, CA
RNT Planning Principles
• Interconnectivity
Fostering vibrant environments by creating and restoring mutual connections between people, places, and systems.
• Place-Based Urbanism
Designing with intention by celebrating the distinct character of each place and its people to build authentic, resilient communities.
• Quality of Life Neighborhoods
Crafting housing and planning solutions that are humanscaled, diverse, flexible, innovative, sustainable, social, affordable—and inspiring at every level.
• Cultural Beacons
Championing the creation of museums, libraries, parks, and recreational spaces that define and elevate community identity.
• Inspiring Nature Stewardship
Planning with nature to restore ecosystems, shape responsible growth, and inspire a deeper environmental ethic.
• Adapting to Changing Environments
Designing adaptable, climate-responsive communities that thrive in the face of evolving environmental conditions.
• Optimizing Workplace Environments
Creating workplaces that attract talent, support well-being, and enhance the overall employee experience.
• Honoring History and Culture
Grounding plans in the unique history and cultural fabric of a place to create lasting meaning and identity.
George Walker Smith Educational Campus Master Plan
Location : San Diego, CA
San Diego River Center
Master Plan, Site Development Permit, and Final Design
Location : San Diego, CA
RNT Planning Principles
• Interconnectivity
Fostering vibrant environments by creating and restoring mutual connections between people, places, and systems.
• Place-Based Urbanism
Designing with intention by celebrating the distinct character of each place and its people to build authentic, resilient communities.
• Quality of Life Neighborhoods
Crafting housing and planning solutions that are humanscaled, diverse, flexible, innovative, sustainable, social, affordable—and inspiring at every level.
• Cultural Beacons
Championing the creation of museums, libraries, parks, and recreational spaces that define and elevate community identity.
• Inspiring Nature Stewardship
Planning with nature to restore ecosystems, shape responsible growth, and inspire a deeper environmental ethic.
• Adapting to Changing Environments
Designing adaptable, climate-responsive communities that thrive in the face of evolving environmental conditions.
• Optimizing Workplace Environments
Creating workplaces that attract talent, support well-being, and enhance the overall employee experience.
• Honoring History and Culture
Grounding plans in the unique history and cultural fabric of a place to create lasting meaning and identity.
Vandenberg Space Force Base
South Base District Plan
Location : Lompoc, CA
RNT Planning Principles
• Interconnectivity
Fostering vibrant environments by creating and restoring mutual connections between people, places, and systems.
• Place-Based Urbanism
Designing with intention by celebrating the distinct character of each place and its people to build authentic, resilient communities.
• Quality of Life Neighborhoods
Crafting housing and planning solutions that are humanscaled, diverse, flexible, innovative, sustainable, social, affordable—and inspiring at every level.
• Cultural Beacons
Championing the creation of museums, libraries, parks, and recreational spaces that define and elevate community identity.
• Inspiring Nature Stewardship
Planning with nature to restore ecosystems, shape responsible growth, and inspire a deeper environmental ethic.
• Adapting to Changing Environments
Designing adaptable, climate-responsive communities that thrive in the face of evolving environmental conditions.
• Optimizing Workplace Environments
Creating workplaces that attract talent, support well-being, and enhance the overall employee experience.
• Honoring History and Culture
Grounding plans in the unique history and cultural fabric of a place to create lasting meaning and identity.
RNT Planning Principles
• Interconnectivity
Fostering vibrant environments by creating and restoring mutual connections between people, places, and systems.
• Place-Based Urbanism
Designing with intention by celebrating the distinct character of each place and its people to build authentic, resilient communities.
• Quality of Life Neighborhoods
Crafting housing and planning solutions that are humanscaled, diverse, flexible, innovative, sustainable, social, affordable—and inspiring at every level.
• Cultural Beacons
Championing the creation of museums, libraries, parks, and recreational spaces that define and elevate community identity.
• Inspiring Nature Stewardship
Planning with nature to restore ecosystems, shape responsible growth, and inspire a deeper environmental ethic.
• Adapting to Changing Environments
Designing adaptable, climate-responsive communities that thrive in the face of evolving environmental conditions.
• Optimizing Workplace Environments
Creating workplaces that attract talent, support well-being, and enhance the overall employee experience.
• Honoring History and Culture
Grounding plans in the unique history and cultural fabric of a place to create lasting meaning and identity.
Location : San Diego, CA
RNT Planning Principles
• Interconnectivity
Fostering vibrant environments by creating and restoring mutual connections between people, places, and systems.
• Place-Based Urbanism
Designing with intention by celebrating the distinct character of each place and its people to build authentic, resilient communities.
• Quality of Life Neighborhoods
Crafting housing and planning solutions that are humanscaled, diverse, flexible, innovative, sustainable, social, affordable—and inspiring at every level.
• Cultural Beacons
Championing the creation of museums, libraries, parks, and recreational spaces that define and elevate community identity.
• Inspiring Nature Stewardship
Planning with nature to restore ecosystems, shape responsible growth, and inspire a deeper environmental ethic.
• Adapting to Changing Environments
Designing adaptable, climate-responsive communities that thrive in the face of evolving environmental conditions.
• Optimizing Workplace Environments
Creating workplaces that attract talent, support well-being, and enhance the overall employee experience.
• Honoring History and Culture
Grounding plans in the unique history and cultural fabric of a place to create lasting meaning and identity.
San Diego Balboa Park Historic Arboretum Reconstruction
George Walker Smith Educational Campus Master Plan
Location : San Diego, CA