Elijah Ball is San Francisco based urban designer specializing in campus planning, landscape design, and community engagement. He aims to create lively, functional spaces that enhance urban living and community connections.

Welcome

Elijah Ball is a San Francisco-based urban designer who specializes in campus planning, landscape design, and community engagement. With a strong belief that public spaces can drive community connection and urban vitality, he seeks to create functional, vibrant, and accessible spaces that enhance the quality of life for people. Through both his professional practice and community-based advocacy, Elijah works toward creating more sustainable, equitable, and livable cities.

Educational Background and Early Career

Elijah holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from Cornell University (2020) and a B.A. in Urban Planning and Geography, with a Political Science minor from San Francisco State University (2016). His academic training has provided a foundation for understanding the intersections between urban design, environmental sustainability, and public policy. While at Cornell, Elijah focused his research on urban ecology, community-driven design, and climate-responsive strategies, all of which influence his approach to campus planning and public space design.

In addition to his formal education, Elijah’s early career experiences shaped his approach to the built environment. He worked with the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development in Boston on a research initiative to improve indoor air quality in affordable housing, which sparked his interest in how design can improve public health. Elijah’s time in New York City also introduced him to urban mobility policy as he collaborated with the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Department of Sanitation to improve goods movement in the city.

These experiences encouraged Elijah to pursue work that bridges urban policy, community engagement, and landscape architecture.

Professional Experience

Since moving to San Francisco in 2021, Elijah has worked as an urban designer at Page Sutherland Page , where he has been involved in a range of large-scale campus master planning and landscape architecture projects. He brings a strategic approach to the design of campuses, open spaces, and community spaces, emphasizing sustainability, equity, and user experience.

Elijah’s work includes the design and planning of major university campuses, including the University of North Carolina, Charlotte – Campus Master Plan, Stetson University – Campus Master Plan, California State University Stanislaus (Stockton Campus) – Campus Master Plan, and University of San Francisco – Institutional Master Plan. These projects involve long-term strategies for development and integration of open spaces into dense, urban campuses. Elijah’s ability to blend academic goals with community needs is central to his role in guiding these projects.

Elijah has also worked on public open space projects while at Wallace, Roberts, and Todd including the renovation of Oakland’s Estuary Park and the design of Fresno’s Mariposa Plaza, which focus on improving community access, social cohesion, and ecological resilience. His work emphasizes creating places that foster interaction and engagement while integrating the surrounding urban context and ecological systems.

In recognition of his expertise, Elijah was recently tapped to serve on the advisory council for the Cornell Landscape Architecture Department. In this role, he helps guide the department’s direction, mentoring students and advising faculty on how to better integrate practical urban design challenges with academic research.

Community Advocacy: Green Lower Nob Hill

In addition to his professional practice, Elijah is deeply involved in the Green Lower Nob Hill advocacy campaign, launched through his neighborhood association to promote better open space and community activation in the dense Lower Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. The campaign’s mission is to enhance the livability and quality of life for residents by activating underutilized spaces and creating more public green spaces. Through this initiative, Elijah is working with local residents to create an Open Space Framework and Activation Plan that will serve as a community-driven vision for the neighborhood’s future.

This initiative is focused on creating spaces that reflect the voices of Lower Nob Hill residents. The neighborhood principles emphasize a collaborative process based on open dialogue, empathy, and thoughtful feedback from all involved. The goal is to develop a set of shared principles and clear goals to guide future development in the neighborhood. These principles ensure that design decisions reflect local needs and values, promoting inclusivity, equity, and sustainability.

Notable Projects

Elijah’s portfolio spans several significant campus and public space projects, with a focus on making urban environments more equitable, resilient, and inclusive. Some of his most notable projects include:

  • University of North Carolina, Charlotte – Campus Master Plan

  • Stetson University – Campus Master Plan

  • California State University Stanislaus (Stockton Campus) – Campus Master Plan

  • University of San Francisco – Institutional Master Plan

  • Oakland Estuary Park – Renovation & Expansion

  • San Joaquin River Parkway, Western Reaches – Access & Activation Plan

  • City of Tulare Parks & Recreation – Master Plan

  • Fresno Mariposa Plaza Design – Fresno, CA

Elijah also served as a design intern with various firms, including RKLA Studio in New York, Marta Fry Landscape Associates in San Francisco and Studio Bryan Hanes in Philadelphia, where he gained experience on smaller-scale projects focused on the integration of landscape elements into urban environments.

Competitions, Installations, and Residential Design

In addition to his ongoing professional projects, Elijah has also participated in various design competitions and residential installations. Notable mentions include:

  • Upstate Archipelago – Reimagine the Canals Competition, finalist

  • Sarah Sze, Fallen Sky – Planting and topography study at Storm King Art Center, 2021

  • Glenwood Brewerytown – Rooftop Design, Philadelphia, PA

These projects demonstrate Elijah’s ability to approach design challenges with creativity and innovation, applying his skills to both competitive environments and public art installations.

Personal Philosophy and Vision for the Future

Elijah’s design philosophy is rooted in the belief that open spaces are essential to creating vibrant, connected communities. Through both his professional work and community-based initiatives like Green Lower Nob Hill, he strives to create spaces that encourage social interaction, recreational opportunities, and ecological stewardship.

Looking ahead, Elijah is focused on continuing his work at the intersection of public space design, urban planning, and community engagement. He is particularly passionate about the role of landscape architecture in addressing social and environmental challenges, including climate change, equity, and public health. Elijah envisions a future where cities are not only more livable but also more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient.

By leveraging his expertise in urban design, policy, and community collaboration, Elijah remains committed to transforming urban spaces that contribute to the well-being of all residents, ensuring that the cities of tomorrow are designed for people, not just for buildings.