Activity

Regarding your interest in healing gardens.  This book is just out: Therapeutic Landscapes: An Evidence-Based Approach to Designing Healing Gardens and Restorative Outdoor Spaces.  It may provide you with more information about healing gardens.  There is a link that lists the chapters and also one that shows the index (will give you an idea of wh…[Read more]

I still believe that anyone who is eligible to sit for the test and feels they have the ability to pass it will do it. The only things that keeps someone who can pass the test from getting licensed is either that they are on a path that keeps them from being eligible to sit for the test (already in business or have a solid job that they can’t give…[Read more]

ASLA supports Landscape Architects under attack in Brazil
http://elmanifiestodelospaisajistas.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/asla-supports-landscape-architects-under-attack-in-brazil/

I suppose the quick response is due it as soon as you feel ready: it’s a test, and test-taking gets harder the longer you’re away from it.  A lot of people fail b/c they over think the questions (some answers would be ‘right’ in practice, but the exam question has 1 correct answer), especially with experience some questions have absurd ‘correct’ answers.

During my review session I was told they didn’t have a pipe sizing question in 3yrs (’08~’10), so I think that’s buried – I certainly did’t see one on mine.  Ditto on the surveying (elevations using stations) questions.  I believe both are in the PPI review books (and useful to know).  Retaining walls under 4′ are still there (basics of where re…[Read more]

By the way, for anyone interested, Jan Gehl has a new book out called How to Study Public Life.

Don’t know if this will help but when I took the exam I did not look for the correct answer. I went through every choice and proved it wrong until I found one I could not prove wrong. That was the correct answer. Helped me pass. 

As much as I do love the academic studies that get done, it always irks me when I see an ’empty space’ photo or a ‘packed space’ photo that is program based and not spatial planning based.  Some spaces just cannot be used for an active urban life, on the other hand some spaces are temporal. Some of the ones that particularly are skewed for me…[Read more]

Our program’s attitude was to learn what we needed – their job was to teach us how software works in general (so that we could adapt to newer software as they came out).  There were a few workshops at the beginning of the year and if you needed help older students / younger faculty were around to help you learn the ones you had trouble with.…[Read more]

…and they are still ugly!
 

Yes, andrew, du hast recht. I should just get a PhD, that would work even  better…Actually any letters you can put after your name help, in anything – CSEA, IRT, BMT, USA…DOD…and of course, the ever-useful DNILE.
: )

Thank you for adding a bit of context.
However, there is not one thing that I have been critical of that is not true with regards to this paver or its installtion. I also had purposely redacted the manufatcurer’s name, as I do with all of my posts. I also have spoken directly with the manufatcurer with regards to this particular product and its…[Read more]

Wow—lots of feedback on this topic!
Short answer:
Don’t over-analyze this. Prepare for, (lots of good prep classes out there) take the test and move on—you’ll have it out of the way and have a great sense of accomplishment.
Longer answer:
All the people I know that couldn’t pass the exam regret it which is unfortunate because the exam is more abou…[Read more]

Well, this has been an interesting debate to follow. I appreciate everyone’s candidness in response to my question!

Point well taken, I am unfamiliar with Kaid Benfield’s work. I do not argue with you that LA’s can fall into the same trap, realizing idealized renderings over people scaled – people oriented spaces.
I also find it frustrating how little the ASLA is engaging the public like the AIA has. Programs such as the Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team…[Read more]

Again, this points out the diversity of the profession of landscape design and that there is no one way to do things. I like that students and others get a chance to understand that when these topics are discussed outside of the stereotype description of the profession.

Trace, don’t you think that it would give you a competitive edge to have been…[Read more]

Depends on the school and the program.  My students get CAD every semester (and Dynascape and Land F/X).  Most university programs cannot or are discouraged from teaching practical skills in favour of theoretical learning.  We had a…1 CAD class…not a semester, ONE class in my MLA program.

Hi,
It has taken a while, but it looks like the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) support Landscape Architects’ Professional Regulation in Brazil.
http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/27686014#!
CLARB have also expressed support for professional regulation in…[Read more]

The author of the article (Kaid Benfield) is probably someone who a lot of landscape architects would like, if they read his other blog posts. He is often bringing up the importance of green space. I suspect he was writing mainly about architects.
On the other hand, how many landscape architects are really doing the sort of work Jan Gehl does?…[Read more]

Lets see, soils, geology, vegetation, aspect, community, good design good design good design, engineering, (many different types – irrigation, grading and drainage)….They SHOULD teach history of design, and contemporary design..
I am not saying they shouldn’t teach AutoCAD, but I can see why they don’t Plus, my own firm has gone through four…[Read more]