Our News

Tyler Peterson is a Designer on the Land Planning team at FOCUS. His interest in design began with building LEGOs as a child. He originally considered architecture before discovering landscape architecture, a field that combined his creativity with his love for the outdoors. Outside of work, Tyler enjoys reading, golfing with his in-laws, and playing […]

Design Matters: Waterwise Landscaping for Utah’s Future Utah is at a crossroads. Rapid population growth, a housing shortage, climate change, and increasing pressure on our limited water supply are some of the factors colliding at once. We sat down with Emily Aase and McKahl Johnston, landscape architectural designers from our Land Planning department, to discuss […]

Project Spotlight: The Mill The Mill is a single-family residential development located on 11.6 acres in Midvale, Utah. Situated within an older neighborhood, it serves as the perfect missing puzzle piece for bringing new life to the block. With thoughtful landscape design, architectural materials, and open space placement, the community feels welcoming and well connected. […]

Overcoming Challenges in Landscape Design: Theming, Branding, Rendering, and Sustainability Landscape design is essential to creating spaces that are functional, visually appealing, and environmentally responsible. At FOCUS Engineering & Surveying, the landscape team works closely with clients to navigate challenges related to theming, branding, rendering, and sustainability. Bryan Wilson, a designer who leads the landscape […]

Growing a Concept into Reality: Landscape Design Services At FOCUS Engineering and Surveying, we believe that every landscape tells a story. With our comprehensive landscape design services, we specialize in turning visions into vibrant, thriving realities. From initial concept to the final built environment, our 6-person team at FOCUS boasts landscape architects, planners, and designers. […]

Water-smart Development Benefits the Environment, Developers, and Property Owners From the snowcapped mountains of the north to the deserts of the south, Utah is widely known for its diverse and beautiful landscapes. Not as widely known, Utah is the second driest state in the nation. With rapid expansion and growth occurring statewide, Utah’s arid climate […]

With record breaking winter snowpack and spring runoff in Utah this year, controlling stormwater flows is especially top-of-mind. A conversation with Tui Siliva, a CAD Designer at FOCUS specializing in residential grading plans, offers some professional insight into how a residential grading plan can control and facilitate proper drainage and help avoid flooding. Grading Plan […]

At FOCUS, we work with solar companies to provide the required engineering in the building permit process for solar panel installations on homes and buildings. Typically delivered as a letter report, our structural engineers provide certification, and—if needed—recommendations, to ensure the structure of the roof/building will support the solar panels being installed. “The demand for […]

As landscape architects approach a project, their goal is to design a space that is not just natural, functional, and practical, but one that is sustainable and has a meaningful sense of place. To accomplish this goal, landscape architects must consider of a variety of factors under the umbrella of “responsive design.” Responsiveness in landscape […]

The 6,500 SF custom home is located in the hills of Holladay, Utah. The five-bedroom residence features coveted amenities such as main level and basement family rooms, a spacious kitchen with island and walk-in pantry, gym, craft room, playroom, and walk-in closets. The four-car garage includes a mudroom to keep the mess of the garage […]