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I would say limiting you employees is extremely short sighted on a few levels:

First, you partially hired an employee for their graphics they brought with them. Asking them to tweak some stuff is not out of line, but if you want a totally different result prepare for a LOT of growing pains as they switch techniques and software.

Second, assuming…[Read more]

So make it graduate school? (Seriously, every late night in rad school we would ALL talk about how if someone threw hidden cameras up they could blow project runway out of the water with the drama that went on in that building…)

Thanks for the suggestions….however, the specific places where I’m considering including traffic-calming elements aren’t at intersections, making the idea of a neck-down a bit difficult. I’m not completely sold on the speed table idea; in fact, a painted crosswalk might end up doing the trick. Speed humps/tables have been considered because of…[Read more]

I agree about the neck-downs. They provide a better visual cue. This is especially so if you are in an area where paint on pavement doesn’t last long or gets covered with black from tires and exhaust, as it does in the dry southwest. Personally, I think a speed table forming a crosswalk can look nicer than sidewalk ramps going down to a crosswalk,…[Read more]

Tables don’t work well. I’ve used them in the past at a client’s request and they have a minimal effect on speed. I prefer using neck-downs at crosswalks and high contrast paving materials, in conjunction with some sort of highly textured surface prior to the crosswalk (mortared cobbles work GREAT).

I did some design examples for a private community a few years back. There is a lot out there on municipal websites. They explain the difference between humps and tables very clearly. Tables need to be long enough so that the shock absorbers can’t take out the reaction of the car at higher speeds as bumps do. Google it, you’ll get quite I bit to…[Read more]

We’re currently using Plexipave. I couldn’t tell you if it is the best but i’m sure their rep could. Point is, is that it approved by agency. Good luck

A healthy combination of pragmatism and idealism is what’s called for at the moment. I think that at present we have as strong a sense of ourselves as a profession as we have ever had, combined with the certainty that the work we do can be a tremendous force for positive change.

On the other hand, we’re in a lousy job market that no amount of…[Read more]

I think we’re generally on the same page, philosophically.

I think I was trying to say what you just said in the last part of your comment with this:

Whether we carry this philosophy into the professional environment is up to each of us, but I think you fisrt need to educate yourself enough to have something to respond to- some way to DO…[Read more]

I’m not saying that we should not have ideals and aspire to do more. I am saying that it all starts from ourselves understanding what specific opportunities are out there and finding a way to make it work until we can move to the next better situation. Ideals are great unless they are keeping you from participating or keeping others from wanting…[Read more]

Right. I’m also saying that idealism is good for the community at large. Design is inherently subjective- your ideals in design may not match with others and ther is no right or wrong answer, ever. To that end, I think passionate discussion, even argument and the expression of discontent is important in moving the profession forward (or…[Read more]

Wow! What an eye-opening link. Thanks for posting.
I THINK you are saying (in your previous entry) that there is a difference between criticizing and critical thinking – one is destructive the other, productive. Sometimes its easy to forget the vast difference between the two.

I just had to post this:

http://www.archinect.com/forum/threads.php?id=95535_0_42_0_C

At the same time, I dont think we need to dilute ouselves to the point of ignorance.

I think what Drew is ultimately doing by creating a ‘mission statement’ is synthesizing a set of personal and professional ideals. I think we all do this one way or another. What I like about Drew’s method is that it becomes tangible and readily accessible should…[Read more]

That is much more productive than looking for ASLA to redefine landscape architecture, or HGTV to promote it with some new shows, or changing the name of LA,, ….

Too much emphasis is put on what others should or should not do. The firms that are still working away are probably less concerned with what others should do because they are focused…[Read more]

yes! Exactly what I was talking about – transformation. Unfortunately, we have almost non-existant cultural strategies for dealing with crisis and using it for the fuel of transformation.

What a great strategy! Its so simple and honest – you can’t find THAT in any self help book!
Value – Creation….you must be reading the blogs of Steve Pavlina?…[Read more]

“The MOST i can do should be the LEAST i attempt…”

I could be very wrong – – but during these “uncertain times” I think people are trying to blame everyone & everything else in order to stay the same and be comfortable with what they are used to… Unfortunately, by doing so they are unknowingly leaving their future in the hands of others.

I…[Read more]

You may take a look at the new book Urban Design and the Bottom Line authored by Dennis Jerke and published by ULI. Dennis is a former colleague of mine, this subject came up constantly in discussions with him. He really put together a great resource to the profession. Here is a brief description of the book.

“How can you calculate the “design d…[Read more]

Good point.

I have also been noticing the same thing and wondering about it. I’ve heard (through the grapevine) of people from the design professions (architects in this case) literally ceasing to function or contribute when they got laid off – sit around and watch tv and go the bar every night.
It probably has to do with the overall culture of the place they…[Read more]