Activity

I also understand the defense of LEED. If I had invested the time and money to become a LEED AP I would have to think hard before not defending it. I feel that many of the people vehemently defending this program are in this position.

I have looked into being an AP for years, been involved on some projects and even filled out the templates. I…[Read more]

Brian-

I think there is alot of truth to your statement.

Bianca-

Thanks for the ‘guiding principles’ link. I see how the USGBC defines sustainability as a concept, but do you see evidence for this in real-life projects?

I’m not insinuating that designers can or should mettle in the business of land development, but that there seems to be a gap in the LEED system between concept and application.

Marc,

Thanks for finding this and posting. The article sums up my core concerns with LEED. I have always felt that there is no true accountability and the focus is actually on the reward of a LEED designation rather than creating more efficient spaces.

I have many other concerns that I won’t bring up here but I do think that it is time to…[Read more]

I suppose the video I just posted is pretty off topic, though. I don’t know of any videos about the profession of landscape architecture, only ones about specific la’s. I think I remember finding a video series on Jens Jensen a the library in Madison, WI once. Louisiana Public TV had an biography-type show about a landscape architect associated with LSU.

This is a permaculture video, but I still find it inspiring: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sohI6vnWZmk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpermaculture%2Eorg%2Eau%2F

Maybe I’ll just go ahead and download illustrator for the time being. I can’t get the installation program for inkscape to work, anyway.
I guess I could see if I could work on a computer at Boise State, but I wouldn’t really know who to ask. Kinkos sometimes has illustrator, but then I’d have to pay to use their computers.
Thanks everyone.

USGBC and the LEED rating system are serious about addressing the social, economic and cultural issues and it is not unrealistic to expect this of them. View their Guiding Principles

If Landscape Architects want to be involved during project inception and site selection, then they need to be acting as the developer or develop strong, trusting…[Read more]

Bianca-

I started a topic about this a month or so ago when EDAW first advertised the change on their website.

I predict this will be an incredibly difficult topic to get members here to discuss, but an important issue with myriad connotations to the profession and practice.

For what it’s worth, I share your concerns.

I think it would be…[Read more]

Bianca-

I was going to bring up LEED-ND, or maybe I did.

I think ND seems like a good complement to NC for planners, ud’s, and LA’s to practice sustainable design, but again within the sort of self-fulfilling microcosm of a given development. In other words, I don’t think ND puts site selection and contextual, regional issues in the hands of the…[Read more]

LEED is a continually evolving system of quantifying “green” and sustainable projects. It’s fast become an internationally recognized credidation system and has teamed with a multitude of organizations to achieve and quantify common goals. Keep an eye out for progress on LEED-ND, LEED for Neighborhood Development because having a “green building”…[Read more]

Jay-

Were you able to find some of the recent information helpful?

Interesting.

I’ve worked in offices totally devoid of PE’s, entirely focused on design and offices where the LA’s literally rubbed elbows with the PE’s day in, day out.

What has intrigued me is comparison of our professional relationship with civils and the architects relationship with structurals. It has been discussed as to how LA’s should…[Read more]

I agree with the writer of the letter, Dan Kerr. It is not enough to just acquire LEED certification without verifying that there is a quantifiable gain in doing so. If there is not some accountability and proof that being LEED certified is actually accomplishing what it is supposed, energy efficiency and environmental compatibility, then it will…[Read more]

The Landscape Institute has posted a “Response” to my TImeline of a Fraud and you can download it here:

http://www.adrive.com/public/6cbe2eb5c2fb994882057c7c31a1fc16f739bb…

I would find it mildly amusing, if it wasn’t so sad an indictment on our profession.

David

We worked with a local person from north of Squamish. He salvages pieces of old growth cedar from the forest and cut blocks before they are logged, selective harvesting….very sustainable. The stump was 12′ in diameter in the ground and he “extracted” is from a cutblock. His name is Warren Brubacher and he is great to work with.

Also, I was just thinking about computers at local universities you may be able to use with adobe products if you know someone on the inside and ask nicely..just a thought.

I dont know anything about inkscape, but I can only imagine that the interface is different from adobe products as well as the commands. That in mind, I don’t see how it could do you much good to mess with it if the standard is Adobe. If your goals is only to rework your projects and get it done, then go for the freeware.

30 days is a…[Read more]

I don’t know about the LA equivalents, but I did see a documentary worth a discussion on the Land Lounge. It was called The Unforeseen, by Laura Dunn.

I would be interested to hear feedback on that movie. If anyone has seen it or sees it in the near future, let me know what you thought.