Ripley Design, Inc.

Senior Living Design: Why Outdoor Spaces Matter Designing for seniors isn’t just about accessibility—it’s about dignity, independence, and well-being. Thoughtful outdoor spaces can enhance mobility, social connection, and even cognitive health. At Ripley Design, we keep in mind these principles when creating spaces for the aging population. Healing Gardens & Therapeutic Landscapes - Nature has a profound impact on aging well. Sensory gardens, raised planters, and accessible pathways offer tactile and visual stimulation, benefiting seniors, particularly those in memory care. Seating for Comfort & Connection - Senior-friendly landscapes go beyond park benches. Ergonomic, shaded, and social seating arrangements encourage interaction and rest. Walkability & Safety - Looped paths, clear sightlines, and slip-resistant materials ensure safe, engaging outdoor experiences. By prioritizing safety, engagement, and accessibility in the landscape, we can create designs that truly enhance quality of life for seniors.

LAST CALL: Only ONE WEEK left to register for the L.A.R.E.! Future landscape architects, this is not a drill! The registration deadline for the Landscape Architect Registration Examination is just seven days away! - Ready to transform those years of studying plant species into professional credentials? - Eager to prove you know the difference between a bioswale and a rain garden? - Prepared to demonstrate your mastery of site grading without breaking into a cold sweat? Whether you're feeling cool as a cucumber or nervous as a non-native plant during a drought, now's the time to take the plunge! Remember, even Frederick Law Olmsted had to start somewhere. Register now and join the ranks of professionals who can officially tell people, "Yes, I actually DO know what I'm talking about when I say that tree won't work there." Your future self (and all the sites you'll save from poor drainage) will thank you! #LARE #LandscapeArchitecture #ProfessionalExam #LastChance #RegisterNow #FutureLA

Breaking Ground on Innovation! 🏗️ 💡 Exciting day celebrating the groundbreaking of the Aims Workforce Innovation Center! This facility will be a game-changer for student engagement, industry partnerships, and business development in northern Colorado. Designed as a gateway to the Aims Community College campus, it will offer a cutting-edge environment for collaboration and hands-on learning. Our team had the privilege of shaping the outdoor spaces to complement the building’s dynamic and flexible design. Thoughtful site planning will enhance connectivity, provide inviting spaces for gathering, and create an experience that inspires innovation. Huge thanks to the project team (OZ Architecture, EPS Group, Inc., Cator, Ruma & Associates, NV5) and everyone involved in bringing this vision to life! Looking forward to seeing this space evolve into a vibrant hub where ideas take shape. #LandscapeArchitecture #Groundbreaking #Innovation #Collaboration #NorthernColorado #AimsCommunityCollege #aimscc

🌿💧 The Power of Rain Gardens: More Than Just a Pretty Landscape! Did you know how many benefits rain gardens offer? At Library Park in Fort Collins, rain and snowmelt runoff from nearby rooftops and paved surfaces is redirected into a series of three beautifully designed rain gardens. These gardens—featuring landscaped plants and rocks—sit atop underground storage basins, preventing water from pooling in the parking lot and creating safety hazards. Why Rain Gardens Matter: ✅ Absorb 30% more water than a traditional lawn, reducing flooding. ✅ Filter pollutants before they reach waterways. ✅ Attract pollinators like butterflies, bees, and birds. 🦋🐝 ✅ Cool the air—as water evaporates, it creates a natural cooling effect for nearby buildings, just like an evaporative cooler! ❄️ By integrating rain gardens into spaces, we can create healthier, greener, and more resilient communities.

Colorado's HB24-1239 could be a game-changer for housing affordability and design. This bill proposes allowing single-stair multifamily buildings up to five stories—an approach that’s already common in cities worldwide. By removing outdated restrictions, we can create more space-efficient, light-filled homes and encourage human-scaled development. A recent study by the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) challenges the assumption that single-stair buildings are inherently unsafe. The study highlights how this design can improve housing affordability, offer better unit layouts, and create stronger connections to outdoor spaces—without compromising safety when designed well. #UrbanDesign #HousingAffordability #SingleStair #BetterBuildings #CNU https://lnkd.in/gRY-uZYk

Last week, Lakewood's City Council unanimously approved an update to a land use ordinance that city leaders hope will break a logjam of needed residential project approvals. The updated ordinance will once again allow homebuilders to pay the fee-in-lieu for parkland dedication; an option that was removed in November as a result of a citizen led initiative which stymied residential building permits and development applications in the months that followed. Money collected as a result of the the fee-in-lieu option is required to be spent on establishing neighborhood and community parks within the community. February's ordinance will enable homebuilders to move forward with residential projects while continuing to ensure the expansion of Lakewood's robust park system for generations to come. #planning #responsibledevelopment

Celebrating Women’s History Month in Landscape Architecture!   March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women who have shaped industries, communities, and the world around us. In the field of landscape architecture, women have continually broken barriers, redefined spaces, and led with vision and resilience.    Over 30 years ago, Linda Ripley founded our company in what was then a male-dominated field. She built more than just a firm—she built a legacy of excellence, mentorship, and innovation that continues to inspire us today. We are proud to stand on her shoulders, carrying forward her commitment to supporting and elevating women in our profession. Not only this month but all days, we celebrate the incredible women who are shaping the future of landscape architecture!    As we reflect on the past and look toward the future, we remain dedicated to fostering a workplace where women thrive, lead, and inspire. Together, we continue to build landscapes—and careers—that make a lasting impact.  

We are moving! Ripley Design is excited to announce that starting Monday 3/3/25, we will be at a new location in Old Town. We can't wait to welcome you at our new space! 236 Linden St. Suite A, Fort Collins, CO, 80524

Greeley, Colorado, is experiencing remarkable growth, transforming from a historically agricultural hub into a thriving, modern city. With a population that has steadily increased over the past two decades, Greeley is now one of the fastest-growing communities in Northern Colorado! But unlike many rapidly expanding cities that struggle to keep up with demand, Greeley is uniquely positioned for sustainable growth, thanks to its proactive planning, strategic vision, and abundant land and water resources. Check out Greeley's Vision 2037 in the article below where you will see how it is structured around seven key focus areas: 1. Community Vitality 2. Housing for all 3. Quality of Life Amenities 4. Safe and Secure Communities 5. Infrastructure and Mobility 6. Economic Health and Housing 7. Environmental Stewardship

The Incredible Shrinking Household – But Not the Home In 1950, the average U.S. home was 983 sq. ft.; by 2014, it had expanded to 2,657 sq. ft.—nearly tripling in size. 1950: 983 sq. ft. 1960: 1,289 sq. ft. 1970: 1,500 sq. ft. 1980: 1,740 sq. ft. 1990: 2,080 sq. ft. 2000: 2,266 sq. ft. 2010: 2,392 sq. ft. 2014: 2,657 sq. ft. As we face a housing crisis, it's time to reconsider: Do we need bigger homes, or smarter designs? Larger homes come with higher costs—mortgages, utilities, maintenance—making affordability a challenge. In contrast, smaller, well-designed homes can offer: ✅Lower housing costs ✅ Enhanced energy efficiency ✅ Reduced environmental impact ✅ Increased housing availability Reversing the trend toward larger homes isn't just about cost—it's about sustainability and accessibility. Embracing efficient living spaces could be key to addressing our housing challenges. Would you consider a smaller, thoughtfully designed home if it meant lower costs and a reduced footprint? Let's discuss! 👇 #HousingCrisis #AffordableLiving #SustainableHousing #SmartDesign #urbanhousing #citybuilding