Architecture isn’t just about buildings—it’s about the form, function, and experience of the spaces that connect them. A city isn’t defined solely by its structures but by the plazas, courtyards, parks, and streetscapes that shape how people move, gather, and interact. These in-between spaces don’t just fill gaps; they create cohesion, transforming isolated buildings into a seamless, connected environment.

At Lucido & Associates, our expertise in landscape architecture and land planning is centered on this broader architectural perspective. While traditional architecture focuses on structures, our role is to design the framework that enhances how those structures engage with the surrounding environment.

How do people transition between spaces? What makes an outdoor area feel welcoming, intuitive, and functional? How can design foster interaction, accessibility, and community connection?

These are the questions that shape our work.

In this blog post, we’ll explore:
✔ How well-designed open spaces contribute to both the functionality and beauty of the built environment.
✔ Why Memorial Park’s new amphitheater is a perfect example of how public spaces enhance community engagement.
✔ Other Lucido & Associates projects that highlight the importance of designing beyond buildings.

Why the Spaces Between Matter

When you think of architecture, “buildings” are likely what come to mind. Towering skyscrapers, or your favorite building in Rome from when you studied there during junior year of college. But true architecture is about the spaces in between the buildings as much as the buildings themselves.

The plazas, courtyards, parks, and pathways that weave through a city or development don’t just fill gaps; they define how people engage with their surroundings. Thoughtful design transforms these areas into more than just transitional zones—they become destinations in their own right, shaping experiences and fostering community.

Historically, some of the most enduring and beloved spaces weren’t defined by their buildings alone but by the way those buildings were connected. The piazzas of Italy, for example, have long been gathering places that encourage social life and cultural exchange. The tree-lined boulevards of Paris weren’t just about aesthetics—they were designed to enhance mobility, offering comfort and ease for pedestrians. Even ancient Greek agoras and Roman forums were more than open spaces; they were intentionally crafted as the heart of civic life, reinforcing the importance of well-planned public areas in shaping strong, engaged communities.

In modern design, the same principles apply. A vibrant public plaza with shaded seating and walkable corridors fosters interaction and engagement, while a cluster of disconnected structures without intentional gathering spaces can feel cold and uninviting. The best-designed spaces don’t just serve a function—they create an experience.

Here at Lucido & Associates, we don’t just design landscapes, we architect movement. A plaza is more than an open space—it’s a natural meeting point. A walkway is more than a path—it’s a seamless transition that guides people from one experience to the next. Whether we’re shaping a bustling downtown district, an inviting park, or a carefully curated residential community, these in-between spaces are what make the built environment truly come to life.

One of the best examples of this in action is Memorial Park in Stuart, Florida. Over the years, it has evolved beyond a park—it’s become a place of connection, history, and community gathering. And with the next phase of improvements underway, it will soon serve an even greater purpose in uniting people and enriching the city’s public spaces. Let’s take a closer look at how design is shaping the future of this important landmark.

Memorial Park – A Space That Connects

Memorial Park has long been a cornerstone of Stuart’s community life—a space that blends history, remembrance, and gathering. But it wasn’t always that way. Before its transformation, much of the park was an underutilized, poorly maintained green space, serving more as a stormwater retention area than a true public destination. Its proximity to the wastewater treatment plant made it a challenging site, and reimagining it as a vibrant, functional park required both creative vision and technical expertise.

Lucido & Associates, in collaboration with local non-profits, community leaders, and city planners, led the charge in turning this overlooked space into a thriving civic hub. The goal wasn’t just to create a park—it was to design a place that balanced function, beauty, and remembrance, while addressing the site’s unique environmental and infrastructural challenges.

A Thoughtful, Multi-Phase Transformation

The first phase of redevelopment focused on solving key environmental and infrastructure issues while ensuring that every design choice contributed to a cohesive, engaging public space. This meant:

✔ Stormwater Management & Bio-Swales – Introducing functional bio-swales and stormwater treatment areas that improved drainage while creating interactive, educational pathways highlighting environmental awareness.

✔ Concealing the Wastewater Treatment Plant – Using strategic landscaping and design elements to block views of the treatment facility, creating a more visually appealing and immersive park experience.

✔ Water Steps & Interactive Features – Designing a plaza beneath the park’s existing banyan tree, leading to a series of water steps that engage visitors with the pond, reinforcing the park’s relationship with nature.

✔ Honoring Veterans Through Integrated Memorial Spaces – Creating memorial areas that feel woven into the fabric of the park, rather than isolated features, ensuring that remembrance exists within the flow of everyday life.

(need to bring this back to “re-connections” into the fabric of the city and streetscape, we have architecture in the form of designed and constructed gateway arches, an elevated pedestrian walkway across East Ocean Blvd, providing safety for pedestrians and traffic calming along the roadway, (its a large speed table basically elevated about 6” above the roadway). Might be nice to show how all of the items you listed above are “connected” back seamlessly into the fabric and context of community.)

The result is a re-energized, multi-use public space that now hosts cultural events, veteran memorial ceremonies, community festivals, and everyday moments of connection. Memorial Park is no longer just a space for gathering—it’s an active, meaningful destination, thoughtfully designed to reflect the community it serves.

What’s Next: Expanding the Vision

Now, Memorial Park is evolving once again. The upcoming Veterans Memorial Park Phase-4 Amphitheater Project will continue to transform and strengthen it into a cultural anchor for Stuart, providing a versatile venue that enhances its role as a community hub.

Key design elements include:

✅ A Covered Amphitheater Stage – A purpose-built space for concerts, performances, and public events.
✅ Spacious Lawn Seating – Designed for a relaxed, open-air experience that enhances accessibility.
✅ A Grand Entry Monument & Plaza – A visually striking gateway that welcomes visitors.
✅ Improved Pathways & Infrastructure – Thoughtful site planning that enhances pedestrian flow and sustainability.

With this new phase, Memorial Park will become a space that seamlessly blends remembrance with vibrant, everyday community life—a place where past, present, and future intersect.

At Lucido & Associates, we see our role not just as designers, but as stewards of places that matter. With each phase of Memorial Park’s evolution, we remain committed to ensuring that it remains a space where people connect—not just with their surroundings, but with history, culture, and each other.

The Power of Smaller Spaces – Intimate Courtyards, Gardens & Urban Frameworks

While major public spaces get much of the attention, it’s often the smaller-scale outdoor spaces that define a community’s character. Intimate courtyards, carefully planned pedestrian corridors, and strategically placed green spaces offer moments of respite, enhancing livability and encouraging human connection.

Bears Club Cottages & Villas – Private Courtyards as Retreats

At Bears Club Cottages & Villas, we designed lushly landscaped courtyards that offer privacy, tranquility, and a natural extension of living spaces. These intimate outdoor areas balance seclusion with openness, encouraging residents to step outside and connect with their surroundings.

Downtown Stuart – The Role of Green Spaces in Urban Design

Urban environments thrive when they strike a balance between density and green relief. Our work in Downtown Stuart reflects this principle by incorporating shaded walkways, seating areas, and green buffers that make the city more walkable and inviting.

When landscape architecture is thoughtfully woven into urban planning, it transforms a city from simply being functional to feeling livable.

Final Thoughts: Designing with Intention, Building Connection

Architecture isn’t just about buildings and skylines—it’s about the spaces that connect them, the movement they inspire, and the experiences they create. Whether a grand public park or an intimate courtyard, these in-between spaces define how people interact with their surroundings, shaping the very fabric of a community.

At Lucido & Associates, we believe that landscape architecture is essential to site planning, urban development, and community design. Our projects—from Memorial Park to downtown streetscapes to pedestrian corridors—demonstrate how well-designed outdoor spaces shape how people live, move, and connect.

As our communities grow, so must our approach to public spaces. The future of design isn’t just about what we build—it’s about how we connect, ensuring that every space we create is both meaningful and enduring.