DAVID RUBIN Land Collective

What DAVID RUBIN Land Collective does

DAVID RUBIN Land Collective is a private landscape architecture, urban design, and planning studio founded in 2013 by David A. Rubin and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with additional studios in Indianapolis, Indiana and Washington, DC. The firm delivers fee-for-service design and planning engagements — including master planning, construction documentation, construction observation, and preservation planning — for federal, state, and municipal government agencies (notably the National Park Service, GSA, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation under IDIQ vehicles), universities and colleges (Temple, University of Pittsburgh, UC Berkeley, Rutgers, Howard), healthcare systems (Eskenazi Health), cultural institutions (Newfields, Frederik Meijer Gardens, Delaware Historical Society), and corporate clients (Cummins). Differentiated work spans public memorials (the National World War I Memorial at Pershing Park), climate-resilient parks (Grand Junction Park & Plaza, Canal Park), brownfield reclamation, and waterfront master plans (Fort Wayne, Wilmington, Allentown). A sub-brand, Gallery Land Collective, operates as a physical exhibition space within the Philadelphia studio.

The studio's underlying 'technology' is its design methodology: an empathy-driven, social-purpose philosophy codified in firm communications and a holistic sustainable-design practice oriented around stormwater management, public-realm connectivity, and community resilience, evidenced by quantifiable project outcomes such as capturing 100% of stormwater on the Cummins Distribution HQ site and producing over 2,000 pounds of food annually at Eskenazi's Sky Farm. The team of approximately 16 professionals is heavy with PLA, ASLA, AICP, LEED AP ND, and FAAR credentials, and revenue mechanics rely on enterprise field sales through competitive bidding, government IDIQ task orders, direct institutional engagements, and referral-based institutional work — pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The firm has accumulated a high-credibility awards portfolio (national ASLA Honor Awards, AIA Institute Honor Award, Monocle Design Award, Fast Company 'World Changing Ideas') and is led as a privately-held founder practice with no external funding or parent-company ownership.

Name

DAVID RUBIN Land Collective

Legal name

DAVID RUBIN Land Collective

Website

https://land-collective.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Philadelphia-based landscape architecture, urban design, and planning studio serving government agencies, universities, healthcare systems, cultural institutions, and corporate clients through empathy-driven design, with additional offices in Indianapolis and Washington, DC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Landscape Architecture Services

NAICS

Landscape Architectural Services (54132), Landscape Architectural Services (541320)

akta.pro primary industry

Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Urban Planning & Master Planning (BPAHAKAD)

Keywords

• Landscape architecture services
• Urban design planning
• Master planning services
• Campus landscape design
• Public space design

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Services - Landscape Architecture: Fee-for-service landscape architecture, urban design, and planning engagements with government agencies, universities, healthcare systems, cultural institutions, and private developers. Projects range from master planning to construction documentation and observation.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DAVID RUBIN Land Collective is a landscape architecture, urban design, and planning studio that designs public spaces, parks, campuses, waterfronts, and historic landscapes for government agencies, universities, healthcare systems, cultural institutions, and private developers. The firm provides full-service landscape architecture from site analysis and master planning through construction documentation and observation, operating through IDIQ contract vehicles, competitive bids, and direct institutional engagements.

Product overview

DAVID RUBIN Land Collective is a landscape architecture, urban design, and planning studio that operates as a unified service-based practice rather than a software platform. The firm's core offerings include landscape architecture services, urban design, master planning, campus landscape planning, waterfront design, and historic preservation planning. The studio also operates Gallery Land Collective, a public exhibition space in Philadelphia that showcases work related to landscape architecture and design disciplines. The practice emphasizes empathy-driven design and social purpose, creating public spaces that serve diverse communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Landscape Architecture Services Full-service landscape architecture design including site analysis, design development, construction documentation, and construction administration for parks, public spaces, plazas, and civic landscapes. Served to government agencies, universities, healthcare systems, cultural institutions, and private developers.
• Urban Design Urban design services for streetscapes, districts, and mixed-use developments that shape the public realm and create connective tissue between buildings and communities.
• Master Planning Comprehensive master planning for campuses, institutions, waterfronts, and urban districts, establishing frameworks for future development and growth.
• Campus Landscape Planning Specialized campus planning services for universities and institutions, addressing circulation, gathering spaces, sustainability goals, and the integration of landscape with built environments.
• Waterfront Design Design of waterfront landscapes, riverfronts, and coastal public spaces that balance ecological restoration with public access and programming.
• Historic Preservation Planning Landscape preservation planning for historic landmarks and estates, including conservation management plans and restoration guidelines.
• Gallery Land Collective A gallery space at the Philadelphia studio that showcases exhibitions focused on landscape, design, ecology, and related artistic disciplines, featuring work from landscape architects, designers, ecologists, sociologists, and artists.

Quantifiable outcome

• Canal Park saves approximately 1.5 million gallons of stormwater per year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core, lead and client.

• James Lima Planning & DevelopmentsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Planning consultant for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Framework Plan, bringing strategic development expertise to cultural institution planning.
• Rossetti ArchitectssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Architecture firm providing design expertise for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Framework Plan project team.
• Atelier TensupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Environmental design consultants providing sustainability and environmental performance expertise for Frederik Meijer Gardens Framework Plan.
• STUDIOS ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Architecture firm collaborating on multiple projects including Bond Bread/WRECO Development at Howard University, Union Market PNC Development, and Franklin Park. Long-term strategic collaboration partner.
• HNTBsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023Architecture firm for Arena and Sports Performance Center at University of Pittsburgh, providing sports facility design expertise.
• HWKNcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Architecture firm collaborating on Grand Junction Park & Plaza project. HWKN ( Matthias Hollwich Architecture) is a New York-based architecture firm specializing in innovative public and residential projects.
• Bruce Mau Design (BMD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Toronto-based strategic design studio providing design strategy for Grand Junction Park & Plaza project, bringing international perspective to climate-resilient park design.
• RATIO ArchitectssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2022Indianapolis-based architecture firm providing local design expertise for Grand Junction Park & Plaza project in Westfield, Indiana.
• GWWO ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Baltimore-based architecture firm collaborating on multiple NPS IDIQ contracts including Eastern United States Denver Service Center and National Park Service projects in Northeast and Capital Regions.
• Meticulous Design + ArchitectureleadStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Lead architecture firm for Revitalization Plan for Oaktree project, driving community-driven transformation of former apartment complex site.
• Engaging SolutionssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Community engagement consultant for Oaktree revitalization, facilitating virtual meetings and Community Conversations in multiple languages.
• Penn PraxisleadStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020University of Pennsylvania urban design clinic serving as project lead for J. Irwin Miller House Getty Foundation conservation management plan.
• Newfields (Indianapolis Museum of Art)clientImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2020Owner of Miller House and Garden estate, partnering with Land Collective on Getty Foundation preservation project.
• FluiditysupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2020Water feature design firm creating expressive fountain display for Newfields Revitalized Allée Border Garden & Fountain project.
• Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & PlannerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019New York-based architecture and planning firm collaborating on Fort Wayne Riverfront Masterplan with deep expertise in historic preservation and urban design.
• Agency Landscape + PlanningcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Boston-based landscape planning firm collaborating on Fort Wayne Riverfront Masterplan and White River Regional Strategic Master Plan.
• Bruce Mau DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019International strategic design firm collaborating on Fort Wayne Riverfront Masterplan bringing global design thinking.
• Holzman Moss Bottino ArchitecturesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2019Architecture firm collaborating on Rutgers University Student Affairs Master Plan focusing on campus connective tissue.
• FXCollaborativesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2019Architecture and planning firm for Reston Town Center West development, reimagining suburban office park into urban node.
• TAIT & Associates, Inc.supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2019Environmental and civil engineering firm collaborating on Coyote Canyon brownfield reclamation project in Newport Beach, California.
• World War 1 Centennial CommissionleadStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Project sponsor for National World War I Memorial at Pershing Park, selecting Land Collective for memorial design implementation.
• GWWO ArchitectssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2018Architects of record for National World War I Memorial project, working with competition-winning architect Joe Weishaar.
• Jaindl EnterprisesclientImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2018Local developer for Allentown Riverwalk and Commons at The Waterfront, driving 26-acre mixed-use development along Lehigh River.
• Applied Ecological ServicessupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2018Ecological consulting firm for Allentown Riverwalk brownfield remediation and riparian ecology restoration.
• City Center AllentownclientImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2018Developer client for Center City Landscape Development Plan, reimagining downtown Allentown public spaces.
• HR&AsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2018Real estate and economic advisory firm for Envision Columbus Downtown Strategic Development Plan, providing market analysis.
• Nelson\NygaardsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2018Transportation planning firm for Envision Columbus project, addressing transit center relocation and multi-modal connectivity.
• HWKNcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Architecture firm collaborating on Pennovation Works at University of Pennsylvania, part of collaborative design team including Bruce Mau Design.
• Bruce Mau DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Strategic design collaborator on Pennovation Works campus, contributing to landscape, identity, signage and program vision.
• JBG SmithcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Real estate developer for Crystal City Landscape Master Plan and Reston Town Center West, collaborating on Arlington County revitalization.
• Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and PlannerssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2014Architecture and planning firm collaborating on Eskenazi Health Design & Mission Guidelines legacy documentation project.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hood Design Studio: Oakland-based landscape architecture and urban design practice with strong social-equity and civic-justice framing. Closely aligned with Land Collective's empathy-driven, social-purpose positioning.
• OLIN: Philadelphia-headquartered landscape architecture, urban design, and planning studio with comparable civic, institutional, and waterfront portfolio. Directly comparable as David Rubin was previously a Partner at Olin before founding Land Collective.
• James Corner Field Operations: Landscape architecture and urban design firm behind the High Line and major waterfront/memorial projects. Directly comparable practice profile and client base in civic and cultural landscape commissions.
• Andropogon Associates: Philadelphia-based ecological landscape architecture and planning firm with comparable university, civic, and brownfield-reclamation work. Operates in the same regional market with similar project types.
• Studio-MLA: Los Angeles-based landscape architecture studio focused on climate-resilient public realm and parks. Directly comparable in climate-adaptive design positioning and civic-scale commissions.
• CMG Landscape Architecture: San Francisco-based landscape architecture firm with comparable higher-education, civic, and waterfront portfolio. Similar studio-scale peer with overlapping institutional client base.
• Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA): Brooklyn-based landscape architecture firm known for Brooklyn Bridge Park and major university campus projects. Directly comparable as a peer in large-scale civic and institutional landscape commissions.
• Reed Hilderbrand: Cambridge-based landscape architecture firm with deep higher-education, cultural, and historic-preservation portfolio. Directly comparable practice type and institutional client base.

Broad incumbents

• Sasaki Associates: Integrated planning, design, and landscape architecture firm with strong master planning and university campus work. Overlaps with Land Collective on higher-education and waterfront master plans at a much larger scale.
• SWA Group: One of the largest landscape architecture and urban design practices globally, with deep public realm, waterfront, and master planning work. Competes for the same marquee civic and university commissions as Land Collective but at significantly greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClicX03SwdB1Ax37mjE2J6Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/DAVIDRUBINLandCollective
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3138451
• Instagraminstagram.com/landcollective
• Xx.com/Land_Collective

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DAVID RUBIN Land Collective