Activity

NO!!!

Yes

OK Nick, I think I misspoke. You are right many developments across the nation are inefficent in terms of land use, for longer term sustainability. In terms of efficently converting a land-use from farm land to subdivision in a short time they are very efficient. This is where standard guidelines and processes enfore this cookie cutter approach…[Read more]

I disagree that the majority of new communites are ‘very efficient’ in terms of planning and design. I see a lot of the new suburban developments around here as being very inefficient in terms of land use. I agree that they are generally ‘safe’ in terms of the immediate safety threats involved in land design such as flood mitigation, sight lines,…[Read more]

Yes

No.

yes

The way of the future with one foot in the past…part of your cultural heritage…

I believe it was actually a separate contract. Maintenance within the specs has never really seemed to work unless the landscape contractor is also contracted to do long term maintenance – its a communication gap I think.

Perhaps a happy client and “make a difference in the world” are not the same thing:
http://www.architectureweek.com/2007/1107/environment_1-2.html

Yes the devil is in the detail, both in if we completely neglect to correct design flaws as well as totally sterilize human experience. I would say from my own observations that many newer communities although are very efficently laid out, have ample lighting, good open sight lines, well marked signage, but are also very sterile. People don’t fall…[Read more]

So on the one hand our profession believes that we should follow the guidance of developed theories and standards, but on the other hand we are creating a homogenous landscape that we say we don’t like. I think that is a good point.

That is why I am a big believer in diverse development from rural living, to urban cores, and the most maligned and…[Read more]

Hi
I’ve just finished a 50 sq ms grass roof in my own house and I’m a happy client does that count? : )
well not happy with one of the outlets but that s my own fault, lesson learnt, i’m hoping it will inspire others. green roofs and rain gardens are the way of the future in Ireland hopefully

Not necessarily, but look at where catastrophic violent crimes tend to occur, ie Columbine High School, who the ‘perpetrator’ was, and what their motive seemed to be.

I’m not saying kids are angry because their parents raised them in a suburb, but I’m raising the question as a side issue as to whether or not there could be a correlation between…[Read more]

I think each design endeavour should take into account the health, safety and well being of the end user, but I dont believe it should always drive the design. According to CPTED principles, many of the great public spaces we’ve come to appreciate could be deemed havens for criminals and degenerates.

I may have miscommunicated the notion that I…[Read more]

You are right in that CPTED is not a new theory or process, but it is something LA’s should pay attention to. Not because we are building communities that are not worth living in. And not because community design is so dreadful that it causes crime. LA’s should pay attention to CPTED because there are real good basic design principles that not all…[Read more]

Was the maintainance plan just part of the specs?