At the heart of this design is a thoughtful selection of site elements-some custom, some standard-all carefully curated to reflect the spirit of the place. Studio 431, Landscape Forms' custom division, partnered closely with Ayers Saint Gross to bring many of these unique elements to life, including custom planter walls that define circulation and create tiered gathering zones, a sleek custom bar that supports outdoor dining and casual conversation, and a series of custom bench swings. "The benches take a familiar form-the front porch swing-but they're reinterpreted in a contemporary way," Schultz explains.

Positioned along the linear "Purposeful Walk" that connects different parts of the district and nearby park, the bench swings offer shaded, restful gathering points. "They're welcoming spaces for storytelling and connection-places that recall touching moments like time spent in the backyard with your grandparents," says Jason A. Castillo, PLA, ASLA, Associate Principal at Ayers Saint Gross. "The idea of informal connection and intergenerational dialogue is rooted in that swing form."

Studio 431's responsive, hands-on approach and close collaboration with the design team was key to realizing the custom bench swings, especially as the project evolved and budgets shifted. "They get it," says Castillo. "They have a strong background with landscape architects in their midst. And at the same time, they're willing to be customizable and think outside the box."

The swings were executed without compromise to their design or quality-a testament to Studio 431's ability to offer creative solutions grounded in constructability. "We were able to execute on them in terms of the finish, design and what we wanted to achieve out of them," Castillo says. "That was a big win."

Complementing the bespoke elements is a curated collection of standard Landscape Forms solutions that bring comfort, durability and design cohesion to The Pearl's public outdoor spaces. Chipman tables and chairs, Chipman stools and Parc Centre Lounge seating create programmable environments for gathering, dining and relaxing. Tuuci® Ocean Master cantilever umbrellas provide comfort and additional shade throughout the site. Generation 50 litter and recycling receptacles support cleanliness and stewardship while maintaining the district's refined aesthetic.

Lighting was another essential part of the curated selection. Rama area lights, specified in multi-head configurations, provide high-performance illumination for the plaza and Jacob's Ladder while minimizing the number of poles and preserving open sightlines. "We didn't want a ton of poles-we wanted to make sure that we were not cluttering the space," says Kyle Baugh, Associate at Kimley-Horn.

Along the Purposeful Walk, SHUFFLE, offered in collaboration between Landscape Forms and Schréder, extends functionality beyond light. Equipped with integrated smart technology-including wayfinding, emergency beacons and programmable light rings-the columns not only support safety but also integrate seamlessly with Charlotte's larger Uptown system. This enables the district to commemorate community events and holidays with dynamic, citywide colored illumination schemes that reinforce The Pearl's role as both a civic and cultural destination.

For Ayers Saint Gross and Kimley-Horn, designing the outdoor spaces at the Pearl Innovation District was a chance to bridge scales and stories-personal and institutional, historic and forward-thinking. And for Landscape Forms, it was an opportunity to demonstrate how thoughtfully designed site furnishings and lighting-blending durability, comfort, smart technology and multifunctional design-can foster belonging, storytelling, resilience and innovation.