Blog

Westwood Acquires California-Based O’Dell Engineering

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood), a nationally renowned design and consulting firm, announced today its acquisition of Northern California-based O’Dell Engineering (O’Dell). The acquisition of O’Dell supports Westwood’s strategy to expand into new regions and grow its existing markets and services. O’Dell is Westwood’s inaugural investment in California and brings four new offices in Modesto, […]

Land Connections – Better with Pockets: Embracing Pocket Parks

As a mother of young children living in an urban area, I am always on the lookout for outdoor spaces where we can enjoy time together “out of the stroller.”  Three of our most well-visited parks within a 15-minute walk of my home would be classified by most districts as “pocket parks.” All are under […]

Land Connections – Hmmm, So What is This 80/20 Rule?

A Brief History of the 80/20 Principle “Okay, let me see your design.” I was fresh out of design school at the time and working on one of my first projects as a landscape designer in Boston. It was a couple days before a project deadline. The Principal Landscape Architect I was working with at the […]

The Nature of Inclusive Play – A Transformative Guide by Chad Kennedy and Amy Wagenfeld

We are proud to announce that our very own Principal Landscape Architect Chad Kennedy, and Amy Wagenfeld, Occupational Therapist, have joined forces to create an extraordinary publication that will change the way we think about inclusive outdoor play. Titled “The Nature of Inclusive Play,” this book is a pioneering work co-authored by a landscape architect […]

O’Dell Engineering Named PSMJ 2023 Circle of Excellence Firm

We are thrilled to share the exciting news that O’Dell Engineering has been honored once again with the PSMJ 2023 Circle of Excellence award. This year holds added significance as O’Dell Engineering has achieved the distinction of being named a Platinum Member recipient of this award. The Platinum Member award is bestowed upon A/E companies […]

Land Connections – AI in Landscape Architecture Design: Friend or Foe?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transcended its role as a mere buzzword and has now become a transformative force across numerous industries. Landscape architecture, as an intricate blend of art and science, is no exception to the potential AI brings to the table. The synergy between human creativity and AI-driven technologies opens up new horizons for […]

New Senior Project Manager, Michael Beltran, PE, Joins O’Dell Engineering!

We are excited to announce that Michael Beltran, PE, has joined the O’Dell Engineering team as a Senior Project Manager in our civil engineering department. With his extensive experience in civil and geotechnical engineering, he will be a valuable asset to our team as we continue to grow and expand our services. Michael will be […]

O’Dell Engineering Named Best Places to Work Central Valley 2023

For the fifth year running, O’Dell Engineering has been named one of the “Best Places to Work: Central Valley” by the Best Companies Group. This recognition is a testament to our company’s commitment to fostering a positive and supportive workplace environment. We are grateful to receive this recognition in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and now […]

Flood Mitigation: When Landscape Architecture Meets Permaculture

Outside of the occasional earthquake and annual wildfires, California residents often have the luxury of merely reading about natural disasters rather than experiencing them. This year, however, Californians across the state were introduced to heavy rainfall which led to a stream of atmospheric rivers. After a decade of drought and uncontrolled wildfires, the unprecedented consequences […]

Land Connections–Technological Advancements in Visualizing Landscapes Through Virtual Reality

From ancient to modern times humans have evolved our communication methods from primitive cave paintings to modern computer-aided drawings; the evolution is largely attributed to advances in technology. Virtual reality (VR) is the latest advancement in technology that can aid humanity in our evolution. What sets VR apart from previous visual communication technologies is that […]