news
Atlas Lab named 2026 Lifchez Professors – UC Berkeley
Atlas Lab is proud to share that principals Erik Prince and Kimberly Garza have been appointed the Fall 2026 Lifchez Professors of Practice in Social Justice in the Department of Landscape Architecture & Environmental Planning at UC Berkeley. The visiting professorship honors the legacy of Professor Emeritus Raymond Lifchez and advances design education centered on accessibility, disability justice, and the broader role of design in creating more equitable and inclusive environments.
Garza, a UC Berkeley Landscape Architecture alumna (BA 2006), and Prince will bring ATLAS Lab’s practice-based approach to the College of Environmental Design, drawing on the studio’s work at the intersection of landscape architecture, urban design, public art, community engagement, and social and environmental resilience. Throughout the fall semester, Garza and Prince will engage students in examining how landscape architecture can respond to complex social and environmental challenges while expanding who participates in, and benefits from, the design of the built environment.
2025 Deb Mitchell Research Grant Awarded
Roots to the Future
Principal Erik Prince, RLA shares his insights on the design process for repurposing the exisitng trees for the Aggie Square Innovation District to curate public gathering spaces. “Honoring the past use of the land is something Erik values, and with Whiting-Turner and UC Davis, Erik discovers a way to keep these trees a part of Aggie Square: using the wood for benches that will be used in the outdoor spaces of the innovation district.” Design done in collaboration with our partners Relm and with ZGF Architects.
Atlas recognized as ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ by the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founder and Principal, Kimberly Garza, recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year by the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Come celebrate awardees April, 8, 2025--register today.
TACO Installation Unveiled!
Atlas Lab Inc. celebrates the completion of phase 1 of Taco Plaza: TACO installation! The South Natomas community came together over the weekend at the future site of Taco Plaza. Taco Plaza re-conceives a 7500 sf parking area along Northgate Blvd. into a vibrant and colorful plaza for the local community. The permanent plaza supports ongoing taco truck programming by adding permanent site furniture, planters, lighting, shade trees, and an iconic “Taco” letter-based installation.
“Grand Granary” debuts on the Del Rio Trail
City of Sacramento: "The City of Sacramento recently celebrated the installation of 18 new public art pieces along the Del Rio Trail, turning this 4.8-mile path into an “outdoor museum.” The Del Rio Trail art project, led by the City’s Office of Arts and Culture and funded by Clean California grants, brought together 27 artists to create trail-inspired artworks in various disciplines, engaging the community throughout their creative processes. The Del Rio Trail now features 18 permanent artworks created by various artists and artist teams and 12 interpretive signs installed along the path." Atlas debuts Grand Granary - a series of 5 sculptures depicting five tree species along the trail.
Atlas Receives awards for Resiliency Planning
Resiliency planning for the WIN! Atlas Lab Inc. received 2 ASLA Sierra Chapter awards for our resiliency-focused research and planning projects: "Confluence" and "Cool-kit"! These projects center resiliency as a driver for developing strategies and tools to combat climate change while capturing a unique sense of place.
Atlas Lab presents “Cool Conscious Cities” at the LAF Symposium
The symposium is the culmination of the year-long LAF Fellowship for Innovation and Leadership, a unique program and $25,000 award that supports mid-career, senior-level, and emerging professionals as they develop and test new ideas that will drive the future of the landscape architecture discipline.