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What if I say I’m a landscape architectural designer???

I used to say “I have a degree in landscape architecture and I am in the process of getting licensed”. Believe it or not, that sparked a lot more interest than when I now say “I am a landscape architect”.
 
The funny part to this whole thread is the assumption that people will be impressed with you by saying “I’m an LA”. … with great…[Read more]

 
Nick Aceto, FLA
 
😉
 
 
edit:
 
Wouldn’t it suck to get beat out of a project by a FLA?

I’m not interested in using the title (as seldom as that may be) so much for the ‘prestige’ (because I dont think the word ‘architect’ carries much prestige today anyway), but because it better represents what I do and how I think.
 
Like I said, 9 times out of 10 I refer to myself as a “designer,” (oh a fashion designer!? like project runway?!),…[Read more]

Another problem with a lot of edging products is that it expands in heat and then lifts and twists. We used to use Valley View and Oly-ola when I was working in Idaho while in school. People wanted it (I hate it). When we istalled it in the heat of the summer it would shrink and expose the connectors for the winter. When we installed it in cool…[Read more]

Dennis, Read my comments below. Never assume you know the entire story of a design by just looking at its current condition. Maybe the condo home associations board wanted to install it “after” the original design was made 20 years ago to keep the lava rocks from being easily swept onto the sidewalk. Who knows?! Why would someone buy a BMW when a…[Read more]

Jordan, Unless your regional area has a completely different “bend-a-board” product; I have no knowledge of the kind of plastic edging you are referring to. From what I know, even the so-called firmer “boards” bend the same way…maybe you and I are just not familiar with all of the products available in the market.
 
FYI you and Dennis: I stated…[Read more]

WOW!! America has become a country of wimps! I guess I can understand because of liabilities and lawyers. Seriously, the actual playground equipment can do more harm to kids than a 1/2″ or less, protruding edge product in the perimeter. Give me a break!! What’s more likely to cause injury? The climber rock wall, trapeze bar, loop ladder or the…[Read more]

Unfortunately with the way education and certain aspects of society are, you get more than a trophy just for showing up. Everybody is special, yet no one is exceptional, you are the best at everything you do. You are entitled for a $100k a year job right out of school and they should just GIVE you a license. What exam? Self esteem is SOOOOOO…[Read more]

We were all unlicensed at some point and we all have our choices. If you care enough about this profession, then suck it up and put in the time. If you don’t want to put in the effort and face the challenge of getting a license… don’t. This is true for a degree, a drivers license and library card. If you can’t be bothered to earn your state’s…[Read more]

You still need to do a trenched edge along the sidewalk or hardscape, but otherwise double edging is just a waste…

My neighborhood playground that my son goes to has a 6″ concrete  curb running around it to hold the sand in. It Seems to work well.

Is the playground surrounded by grass? Sidewalk? I have kids…and am wracking my brain, I go to a lot of parks/playgrounds and don’t really think of using edging like you mention at all.
Oftentimes they will have the edge of the playground raised(wood/plastic)…you step up and over the playground…or down into the playground. I have seen cement…[Read more]

I agree with you 100%, Craig. Now its not just the young yahoos who want to call themselves LAs, but now we get seasoned veterans who never were motivated enough to earn the title. If you tell your family or close friends you’re an LA, then okay…but the minute you start introducing yourself as one in any social situations, you are really…[Read more]

why don’t you make yourself a duke or princess?
Darn…you mean we can’t? haha.
This discussion isn’t about whether an unlicensed professional can be wonderful, talented, and creative. We do design/build there is nothing wrong with that…my husband is licensed and I am not…it doesn’t make me feel worse, nor does it make me feel I need to i…[Read more]

I taught myself by drafting old projects I had drafted by hand. you can then take those cad drawings and bring them into sketchup. great way to build/update your portfolio, and you will learn cad as you do so.

I just hope that after you learn Autocad, you don’t get hired by a Microstation shop. (surprise!)

Good points. I think having knowledge and experience drafting is a better use in learning what Autocad can do for you and how you should use it.

1) Cultivated / shovel cut edge is great but may not hold up in a playground. However it will not create a tripping hazard like the plastic edge sometimes can do.
2) Permaloc and Olyola have generally good and durable products. However if you live in any place other than Hawaii frost can heave these out of the ground, and potentially create this…[Read more]

I have often wondered that same thing.  If you have a hard edge (ie. sidewalk) why are you wasting the money and putting in another edging device?