Gates + Associates is a 25-person Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Land Planning Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) firm located in San Ramon. Established in 1977, our lasting success is due to our unique blend of strong design skills, sensitivity to the influence of environmental and cultural settings, understanding of construction realities and true commitment to consensus building.

Quality Design
We are committed to innovative, high quality, and environmentally-sensitive urban design. Our firm’s returning client base and numerous design awards reflect this commitment. To each design, we bring an understanding of the way in which a space is experienced and the creativity to conceive an environment that is memorable and unique. The spaces we design are usable, educational and inspirational.

Public & Private Experience
Having worked extensively with both public agencies and private sector clients, we have developed valuable insights to effective project management. We also find this mixed orientation extremely valuable in the development of successful land plans. We are able to make planning tools flexible enough to account for changing market conditions, while ensuring predictable public benefit. This knowledge allows us to create specific plans and master plans that are truly “implementable.” Our products are not vague planning policies, but specific design recommendations. We understand the costs and realities of the market place.

Consensus-Oriented Approach
We practice a design approach that facilitates incorporation of community and agency input. Our firm has extensive experience with diverse stakeholders who bring a variety of perspectives to the process. Our process-oriented approach optimizes the talents of our graphics professionals, as well as group facilitation techniques, to effectively communicate messages, elicit feedback and work toward consensus.
 

Sustainable Design
We strongly advocate the integration of innovative and sustainable design practices in all design. We have a comprehensive portfolio of both LEED and Bay-Friendly projects. Our firm has extensive knowledge of stormwater management BMPs and the California Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (AB 1881). Our team includes LEED Accredited Professionals, Bay-Friendly Qualified Landscape Professionals and Raters, Accredited Green Roof Professionals and an in-house Certified Irrigation Designer and Auditor.

 

Management

 

David Gates - President

David Gates is a Landscape Architect, Urban Designer and Site Planner. His expertise includes large and small scale projects for both the private and public sectors. He has over 36 years of professional experience designing parks and recreation facilities ranging from neighborhood parks to recreation and open space master plans. His public project portfolio includes streetscape and downtown revitalizations, community and civic centers, fire stations and libraries, as well as master plan and guideline documents.

It is David’s unique ability to develop creative solutions that recognize a variety of viewpoints. The spaces he creates are celebrated, educational reflections of the community in context with their environments. His designs successfully integrate the needs of diverse user groups. David has served on a number of city design review boards. This breadth of experience allows him to work with citizen’s groups and city agencies in a positive, efficient and sympathetic manner. David’s design expertise has been recognized by Urban Designer of the Year, the Builder’s Association, MAME, the Gold Nugget Best of the Best, the San Francisco Chronicle and many others.

David ‘s new urbanist approach is exemplified in much of the firm’s work.

REGISTRATIONS
Landscape Architect #1550, CA 1970

Expiration: May 2015

 

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Society of Landscape Architects

 

 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

 

• Group Leadership

• Urban Design

• Pedestrian-Friendly Environs

• Public Presentations

• Sustainable / LEED Design

• Agency Liaison

• Universal Access

• Interactive Sculptural Fountains

 

 

EDUCATION

 

M.A. Urban Design Graduate School of Design Harvard University

B.A. Landscape Architecture U.C. Berkeley 1966

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

​

• President, Gates & Associates, 1977- Present

• Member, Design Review Board Walnut Creek 1978 -83

• 1970 Instructor of Site Planning U.C. Extension 1972 -1984

• M.L.A. Landscape Architecture Assistant Professor U.C. Berkeley 1971-1980

• Graduate School of Design Associate EDAW Inc. San Francisco 1971- 1973

• Harvard University 1968 Designer Boston Redevelopment Authority 1970 -1971

 

 

 

RELEVANT PROJECT EXPERIENCE
COMMERCIAL / RETAIL DOWNTOWN / URBAN DESIGN

• Bay Meadows Redevelopment Phase I, San Mateo, CA

• Brentwood Downtown Revitalization, Brentwood, CA
• Bay Street, Emeryville, CA

• The Crossroads, Pleasant Hill, CA
• Centerville Village, Fremont, CA

• Downtown Specific Plan and Design, Pleasant Hill, CA
• Hacienda Crossings, Dublin, CA

• Downtown Urban Design Guidelines, Palo Alto, CA
• Hamilton Fields Reuse Master Plan, Novato, CA

• Downtown Urban Design Plan, Los Altos, CA
• Olympia Place, Walnut Creek, CA

• Sciortino Ranch Design Guidelines, Brentwood, CA
• Powell Street Plaza, Emeryville, CA

• Hamilton Master Plan, Novato, CA
• Stoneman Plaza, Pittsburg, CA

• North Village, Vacaville, CA
• Waterford Retail, Dublin CA

• Oakley Specific Plan, Oakley, CA
• South Livermore Valley Area Plan, Livermore, CA

 

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
• Lake Terrace at Lunshan Hotel Resort, Nanjing, China
• Lucky Lake West Golf Course & Community, Nanjing, China