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We Imagine Future Cities

Our global perspectives set the stage for vibrant experiences.

2019 RIOS Research Initiative

Invisible Infrastructure: Integrating Pollinators into Urban Sites

One of the most consequential wild urban interfaces in our built environment is nearly invisible. Nearly 75–95% of all flowering plants rely on the work of pollinators — including bees, bats, beetles, butterflies, flies, moths, and birds.

Without pollinators, our agricultural economies, food supply, and surrounding habitats would collapse. As we holistically consider how our designs impact the built environment, we are mindful of this often invisible context and the opportunity for design to positively impact ecological health. 

landscaped garage roof

Pollinator garden at the ROW DTLA garage rooftop

We believe there is an urgent need to enhance, connect, and create the “hidden” infrastructure needed to support a robust urban ecology.

Why Pollinators?

As designers and builders of our cities, we recognize the need to integrate the ecological needs of the natural world with the built environment has never been greater.

At least a third of the world’s total crop production is reliant on the work of pollinators. An increasingly urbanized world demands our cities to be active contributors to the restoration of habitat and natural systems. As we imagine and design holistic and biophilic solutions, we consider the interconnected, symbiotic nature of ecological systems.

butterflies and flowers in urban backyard
green billboard structure filled with plants

"Green Billboard" by RIOS for IAC, West Hollywood, CA

Read about this 3,000 square-foot pollinator canopy wall RIOS created on Sunset Boulevard.

Designing for Pollinators: Seasonality

The calendar format of this diagram indicates color, bloom periods, and the type of pollinator attracted to each species in the palette. This diagram was created to help illustrate a plant palette developed for a proposed landscape supporting native California Coastal Sage Scrub pollinator habitat in San Francisco.

calendar diagram showing seasonal pollinators
calendar diagram depicting plant bloom cycles

Designing for Pollinators: Bloom Cycles

This diagram isolates the bloom periods of each pollinator species proposed for a native California Coastal Sage Scrub pollinator habitat landscape to highlight the colors and overlaps in bloom periods of the plant palette.

man explaining diagram for bug hotel
small bug hotel in front of warehouse entrance
pink bug hotel design

Bug Hotel Competition

Designs for pollinator bug hotels and structures were solicited from designers at RIOS in an internal competition. Pollinator structures provide shelter for beneficial insects that assist in pollination and help control and reduce populations of detrimental insects. These are especially important in areas that are lacking natural habitat opportunities for pollinator nesting.

man with wheel barrow and woman raking soil

The Expo Corridor

By building soils, testing plant mixes, and installing our pollinator structure prototypes, we will be able to track and monitor what species our yard has attracted and measure the effectiveness of our tools for pollinator habitat creation as a model for building ecological health in the Crenshaw neighborhood, along the Expo Line, and beyond.

pollinators garden against brick wall

Read the full research book below.

Location

Los Angeles, California

Year Completed

2019

Markets

Cultural

Disciplines

Emerging IdeasLandscape Architecture

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