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There are a couple neigborhoods around here that require an LA seal on residential landscape plans.  An installer I’ve worked with for about 10 years asks me to review and seal his planting plans occasionally.  I’ll meet him on site, review the plan in the context of conditions on the ground, typically recommend a few adjustments, and seal the d…[Read more]

We wonder why landscape contractors often think landscape architects are idiots?

Thank you Andrew. I also think so.
My question was as AutoCad user, in order to improve layouts and 1st scketch perspectives in an easy way. Otherwise I use AutoCad for project drawings.

Are you looking for those graphic zoning books that were quite popular in the 90s and 00s down in FL? The kind produced for Celebration, Seaside, WaterColor, etc or parts of Charleston?  I know it’s been central to the push for NU developments but often has come under criticism for being a mechanism to enforce ‘taste police’ and a homogeneous…[Read more]

I wondered if maybe they put assorted similar projects together to form a resource book for towns needing some templates to guide writing or revising ordinances or to set out standards for future developments… but I guess I could be way off….There are too many existing fellow governments to get guidance from.  So I suspect it’s more likely a…[Read more]

With only a cursory look, “pattern books” appear to refer to a proprietary process from a specific firm that results in what looks a lot like a master planned community to me.  The specific methods and process they use is exclusive to their firm and results in what they call a “pattern book”.  Other firms, including the Lessard Design firm l…[Read more]

Thanks, Leslie – but that’s not what I was looking for. I contacted an architect/planner friend of mine, and wanted to reply in case in the future there are any other confused L.A.s out there looking for answers to this question. 
The firm that coined the term “pattern books”:
Urban Design…[Read more]

Where do you stop? Do we have to show them a virtual reality of a design before we can sell them a design? If people are too simple to not be able to follow a reasonable presentation, I for one, do not want to deal with them.

We have been experimenting with using a Oculus head set to provide VR walkthroughs of our projects. It is time consuming but we have received a strong reaction from clients. 

Ah, I see now.  While familiar with the concept, it is not something I utilize.  My initial thought is how to successfully build the cost of a platform like that into a design fee (both hardware and software).  I suspect a large firm might be able to manage it working on large projects, but it may be tough for small firms and those of us who ar…[Read more]

 For example, if the project involved a small city park, you could stand on the roof of a low-rise building or town home and hold up the iPad or put on Google glasses and view what the new park will look like in real time.  I imagine you could place some people in the park as well.

Thanks Jason.

Thanks Rob.

The Middle East is a diverse place with different cultures and different relationships to the landscape. If you can focus on what you wish to learn it will be easier to begin.

But fascinating! Now he needs to study Arabic. Why try to understand the history of Middle East landscapes by only reading what English speakers have to say about it?

Dear Mr.Rob,
But it’s hard to find the right way to study. I will start study the history in the past first.
So many thanks!:) 

Thanks Mr.Tosh!

I’m not sure if you have sorted out where your are going yet, Madeline, but if you are considering Australia then you should have a look at the AILA website.  http://www.aila.org.au
Companies here in Australia are definitely willing to employ internationally trained LAs and if you are looking to stay long-term, then you can go through the Registration…[Read more]

I agree with Rob on this one.  Grass-crete doesn’t seem like a good option for a recreation area as it is predominantly a hard pavement.
I have never had good results with grass-crete.  The space for the grass to grow is too small and doesn’t allow a good matt of turf to establish.  I find these areas merely become pavers with dirt voids.