The Firm

C. Eric Rains, PLA, ASLA, Principal of Eric Rains Landscape Architecture, LLC, (ERLA) launched his practice after 23 years in the industry. During this time, he practiced in the Fairfield County, tri-state area and Washington, D.C./Baltimore metro area. Mr. Rains is an accomplished Landscape Architect who has extensive experience in local, state and federal regulatory permitting processes. He balances this with deep ties to his community.

About Eric

C. Eric Rains, PLA, ASLA 
CT, NY, NJ, PA

Mr. Rains received a Bachelors degree from Mississippi State University and while there, performed internships with firms in Memphis and Dallas. He served as the student representative to the faculty and as President of the campus chapter of ASLA. Following graduation some of Mr. Rains' initial clients included the Landscape Architect of the Capitol in Washington, D. C. and St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD (an Olmstead Brother's site) and served as adjunct professor of landscape design at Montgomery College in Maryland.

Prior to forming his practice, Mr. Rains was Director of the Commercial Division and an Associate at his prior firm, where he was responsible for the design and overall coordination of the firm's multi-family, corporate, institutional and historic projects. His role was often facilitated by his extensive experience with the municipal review and entitlement processes. Mr. Rains' projects have won numerous awards, which include being a two-time recipient of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (CTASLA), most prestigious award, "Jury's Award of Excellence".  Most recently ERLA won an award from the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for IRONWORKS in South Norwalk.

Currently Mr. Rains serves on the Mayors’ Task Force for South Norwalk and on the Board of Directors of the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce.  He is an active member of American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and is a Past President of the Connecticut Chapter of ASLA.  He is also a member of the University of Connecticut's Alumni/Practitioners Advisory Board and is licensed in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Select Current Projects

Commercial

Corsair, New Haven, CT
Heirloom Flats, Bloomfield, CT
Nova Place, Pittsburgh, PA (award)
Point 72, Stamford, CT
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Stamford, CT
Mastercard World Headquarters, Purchase, NY
Ironworks, SoNo, CT (award)
Greenwich Library, Greenwich, CT
Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, CT
National Hall, Westport, CT
Christ Church, Greenwich, CT
Christ and Holy Trinity Church, Westport, CT
Neighbor to Neighbor, Greenwich, CT
King School, Stamford, CT
Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Stamford, CT
Stamford Landing, Stamford, CT
New Canaan Town Hall, New Canaan, CT
Greenwich Academy, Greenwich, CT
Brunswick School, Greenwich, CT
International Corporate Center at Rye, Rye, NY
New Canaan Medical for Norwalk Hospital, CT
Atlantic Station, Stamford, CT
Washington Park at Main, SoNo, CT
The SoNo Ice House, SoNo, CT
Chestnut Street, SoNo, CT
Roger Sherwin Baldwin Park, Greenwich, CT
Holly Pond Corporate Offices, Greenwich, CT
Franklin Street Apartments, Stamford, CT
100 Prospect Street, Stamford, CT
Century Country Club, Purchase, NY
Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich, Greenwich, CT
Sono Marketplace, SoNo, CT
Holly Hill Lane, Greenwich, CT
GE Capital, Stamford, CT
The Castle on the Hudson, Tarrytown, NY
BMW of Greenwich, Greenwich, CT 
Fairfield Metro, Fairfield, CT
Rocky Point Country Club, Greenwich, CT
Riverside Yacht Club, Greenwich, CT
Even Hotel, Norwalk, CT
Zero Hotel, Stamford, CT
Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, CT
Norwalk Museum, SoNo, CT
Cytec, Stamford, CT
Stamford Square, Stamford, CT
Copper Square, Bethel, CT

Previous Projects (while with other firms)

The Petroleom Club in Dallas, TX
John's Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
John's Hopkins University; Baltimore, MD
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
McCormick Spices International Headquarters, MD
Greenwich Plaza (award), Greenwich, CT
Georgetown University; Washington, D.C.
Lever Brothers, Baltimore, MD
Ronald McDonald House, Baltimore, MD;
St. Mary's Seminary and University (An Olmstead Brother's site), Baltimore, MD
General Electric Headquarters, Fairfield, CT
General Electric Leadership Development Center, Crotonville, NY
Saugatuck Center, Westport, CT (award)
Highgrove, Stamford, CT
SAC Capital, Stamford, CT
Sempra Energy Trading, Stamford, CT
Stamford Town Center, Stamford, CT
The Lock Building (award), South Norwalk, CT
Maritime Yards, South Norwalk, CT
The Dakota, New York City
Trump Parc Tower, Stamford, CT
The Discovery Museum, Bridgeport, CT
Greenwich Academy, Greenwich, CT
King School, Stamford, CT
Target, Stamford, CT
Christ Church: Tomes-Higgins House (award), Greenwich, CT
Christ Church Rectory, Greenwich, CT
Jewish Community Center of Harrison (award), Harrison, NY
Christ and Holy Trinity Church, Westport, CT
Round Hill Community Church, Greenwich, CT
Thomas Place (award), Rowayton, CT
Century Country Club, Purchase, NY
Round HIll Club, Greenwich, CT
Stanwich Club, Greenwich, CT
New Canaan Municipal Pool, New Canaan, CT
Brooklawn Country Club, Fairfield, CT
Village at River's Edge (award), Stamford, CT
Greenwich YMCA, Greenwich, CT
Westport Senior Center (award), Westport, CT
100 West Putnam Avenue (award), Greenwich, CT

Mr. Rains's body of work also includes distinctive residential properties in lower Fairfield County: Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford and Westport; Westchester County; Southampton, NY.; and Kent, CT. Other distinctive residential properties include areas such as Highland Park and Turtle Creek, Dallas, Texas; Georgetown, Washington, D.C.; Chevy Chase, MD; James River Valley in Virginia, and equestrian properties in Howard County, MD.

Prior to moving to South Norwalk (SoNo), Mr. Rains and his wife, Elizabeth lived in Greenwich for over 12 years. While there he was very active in the community serving on ARC (Architectural Review Committee), Greenwich Green & Clean as Chairman (currently on the advisory board) and also served on The Property Commission of Christ Church. Eric was also a founding member of the SoNo Collaborative, where he was Chairman of the Marketing and Public Relations committee. Currently he serves on the Mayor’s Task Force for South Norwalk and is past president of The Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He was also a  member of the University of Connecticut's Alumni/Practitioners Advisory Board. He received a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture from Mississippi State University and is licensed in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.