In the world of urban design and landscape architecture, technical skill is the baseline. But for Rundell Ernstberger Associates (REA), the work has always been about something deeper: the unique identity of a community. Since 1979, REA has acted as a trusted collaborator for governments, universities, and private developers, defining what true partnership looks like.

However, as their portfolio expanded to include international design awards and massive urban master plans, their brand language and digital presence remained anchored to their local roots. They needed a brand that reflected their national reach and an interdisciplinary approach that bridges the gap between the present and a more inclusive, dynamic future.

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Define

We began our Define phase with a strategy-focused workshop to uncover the "human" behind the high-end design. REA isn't just an architecture firm; they are consultants to cities. Our discovery revealed a significant opportunity to move beyond the traditional portfolio model.

We identified three strategic goals for the new brand language:

1. Highlight the 40-year legacy as a foundation of stability, not a limitation of style.
2. Emphasize the firm's interdisciplinary nature, demonstrating its ability to solve problems at any scale.
3. Elevate culture and collaboration to attract both like-minded clients and top-tier talent.

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Design

The brand voice we developed is grounded in "informed authority." It is confident in its capabilities but humble in its approach — positioning REA as a guide through transformative change rather than just a vendor of blueprints. We replaced transactional descriptions with a narrative that feels inspiring and authentic, focusing on connection over control.

For the website, we moved away from the "static gallery" approach. The new digital strategy was built around:

• Categorization by capability: Allowing users to navigate by the type of problem REA solves, rather than just the location.
• Collaboration-led case studies: Showing the "why" behind the design and how the team partners with communities to develop ideas.
• Individual expertise: Highlighting the specific humans behind the awards to ensure the "boutique" feel isn't lost in the national scale.

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Deliver

To ensure the new identity translated into momentum, we delivered a comprehensive brand system and a custom-built website that functions as a high-end gallery. By placing professional rigor alongside team stories, the identity as both talented architects and passionate collaborators is immediately clear.

REA is no longer just a firm with a long history; they are a firm with a clear vision. Their brand now reflects their actual impact: an interdisciplinary leader that meets people where they are and brings them along on the journey to what’s next.

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