Monumental 'Tustin Legacy' sign with dimensional letters beneath a curved trio of archways, set along a paved multi-use path lined with native grasses; two cyclists ride toward the sign at sunset, with distant hills and cranes visible in the background.

Tustin, California

Tustin Legacy

Built on Airfields,
Rising as Home

Project type

Environmental Graphic Design Placemaking Design

Project sector

Park Wayfinding & Signage Civic Design
Close-up of two interlocking curved arches in cream and blue against a soft, cloud-streaked sky.

Project info

Client City of Tustin

Developer CBRE

Architect LTD Architects

Landscape LPA Design Studios

Fabricator CREO Industrial Arts

Other RBF Consulting

Other PlaceWorks

Anchoring the neighborhood with purposeful visual identity

Tustin Legacy is a 1,600-acre residential neighborhood taking shape in the heart of Orange County, California. Located on the historic site of the former Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, the master-planned community is designed to blend history with forward-thinking development. Once complete, it will feature expansive parks and green spaces, more than 9 million square feet of commercial retail space, and approximately 4,600 housing units, offering an integrated mix of living, shopping, and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

As part of the project’s vision to establish a strong sense of place, RSM Design was brought on to create a sculptural identity gateway that would both welcome and orient guests. Standing over 30 feet tall, the striking archway serves as a highly visible landmark, easily seen from a distance. More than just a functional element, the gateway becomes a symbol for the community, marking the entrance to Tustin Legacy and helping define its presence within the broader urban landscape.

Ground-level view of large dimensional letters spelling 'Tustin' set on a stone base, framed by a curved multi-band archway rising overhead against an overcast sky, with native grasses in the foreground.
Close-up angled view of the 'T' and 'U' letters from a large dimensional 'Tustin' sign on a light blue base, with open grassland, a walking path, and a distant construction site visible in the background.
Full view of a tall sculptural archway with layered blue and cream bands, standing over a paved walking path lined with native grasses and lampposts, with trees and an overcast sky in the background.

A welcoming arch rises as both an entry point and a symbol of connection, community, and new beginnings.

Service

Placemaking
Illuminated 'Tustin Legacy' sign with backlit gold letters at dusk, set beneath a glowing white arched sculpture, surrounded by native grasses under a deep blue evening sky.

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