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If you have ever met Daniel Tal, or attended one of his workshops or webinars, you know that he has a wealth of information and will freely share it with anyone who wants to learn.  Ask him a question and he responds thoroughly, thoughtfully, and without holding back any of his trade secrets.  His latest book, Rendering in SketchUp  (Wiley), continues his philosophy by sharing his wealth of knowledge on the subject through step-by-step how-to’s, well thought out graphics, explanations of the rendering process, and countless resources.   I made my way into the world of SketchUp rendering thanks to Daniel’s first book and a workshop of his I attended at CSU.  Although I have had this book for some time, I have waited to write this review until I had a decent amount of time to wor...Read More

Okay, so the 2013 ASLA Conference isn’t until November, so you still have some time to dust off your networking skills and make your travel arrangements.  I realize conferences can be expensive and out of reach for many people, but the rewards pay off in the end, especially if you take advantage of the networking opportunities.  Whether or not you are able to make it to Boston for this year’s conference, let’s think about other in-person places to build your network.  Here’s a start:  Conferences  Workshops  Design Charrettes Pro-Bono Projects  Happy Hours (of the very best kind!) Community Meetings Seminars  Symposiums  Shows/Expos Local ASLA chapter meetings Mentorship programs (check out this post on Mentorship) and Land8’s own list for upcoming events Still in school or rec...Read More

This Top Ten showcases the most beautiful, intriguing and inventive sketches by our some of our talented LAN (Landscape Architects Network) readers. Our previous article discussed the pros and cons of digital and hand drawings. Since then, our readers have definitely been busy with their hands for our “Sketchy Saturdays” series.  Here is the big top ten: No. 10 by Ira-Anna Antonopoulou and Viki Mpania “This sketch is part of a proposal project about Lake Koronia. Since 1996, the area has been under severe environmental stress with the gradual drainage of the lake and destruction of the surrounding ecosystem. Since 2004, the projects have been based on studies assigned to experts for improving the implementation of the agro-environmental program.” No. 9 by Cobi van Kollenburg fr...Read More

Most landscape architects are likely already familiar with horticultural reference book author Michael Dirr, a professor of horticulture at the University of Georgia and author of the seminal Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. In many ways, that book is the gold standard for a plant reference book and many landscape architects likely already have a copy on their bookshelves. So, if that’s the case, is a copy of Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs (2011; Timber Press; 952 pp.; $79.95) truly necessary or simply redundant?   Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs by Michael Dirr, p. 34. Source: Timber Press. The answer, of course, will depend on the individual. But while Encyclopedia covers the same general topic as Manual, its purpose and format are different. The first thing that ...Read More

Yes, the internet has multiple learning outlets and an endless supply of websites, but books have that certain familiarity and dependability that we all gravitate back towards. There is nothing quite like the feel of turning a real-life page, so that is why my first installment in the UA Series is about books!  Below are my Top 4 page-turners about designing urban agriculture that belong on every designer’s shelf: #1: Designing Urban Agriculture: A Complete Guide to the Planning, Design, Construction, Maintenance and Management of Edible Landscapes by April Phillips Phillips’ book starts with an ecological background, and shows how food systems can be integrated back into the city. Exploring the relationship between makers and eaters, Designing Urban Agriculture, shows projects...Read More

Summertime is a season of traveling to new destinations, whether it’s for an internship, a new job or a family vacation. But many times we are unfamiliar with the new surroundings of our new venture.  This was the case for Marcin Wichary. Marcin is a Fellow for Code for America (CfA), a non-profit that helps governments work better for everyone with the people and the power of the web.  Along with CfA Fellows Shaunak Kashyap and Sophia Parafina, Marcin conceived and developed a web-based, open-source game called Click That ‘Hood. This interactive game is very simple. As Marcin describes it you “choose a city you know, and then keep clicking on the neighborhoods the game asks you about, as quickly as possible! Then do it again and again – but now try to beat your (or your friend’s) best tim...Read More

Dubbed the ‘Screen House’ for its a steel armature woven with VIRO polyrods that screen the main street aperture, this award-winning residential project in San Francisco by A+D, was showcased at the 2010 San Francisco Living Home Tours.  With the use of the vertical garden system by Inka Biospheric Systems, this application shows the versatility of the living wall in a dense residential neighborhood.  See photos below… Inka Biospheric Systems designs custom living wall systems for residential, commercal, educational, and agricultural systems. Architect: A+D, Sandra Vicanco Landscape Designer: Julie Trachtenberg Product: Inka Biospheric Systems Images: All photos courtesy of Kat Taylor.

For all the adults (and young adults) out there who still have that nagging urge to climb a tree, play hop scotch, or swing at the playground, here is an opportunity to let your imagination go wild. PLAYscapes design competition, brought to you by Building Trust International, is a competition for the kid at heart who wants to  make their city more playful.  The goal – to transform any abandoned urban area [in your city] into a playful landscape.  Imagine a slide outside of a grocery store, a swing at bus stop or even a maze in a public plaza? Nothing is to crazy for the jury. Anyone and everyone are free to enter.  Let the fun begin!   Important Dates: Registration Deadline: July 1, 2013 Closing Date for Submissions: July 29, 2013 Check out the brief:  http://www.buildingtrustintern...Read More

There was an air of anticipation around Dublin this past weekend: Ireland’s largest garden show, Bloom 2013, had arrived. It was the seventh annual event hosted by one of Europe’s largest urban parks, the Phoenix Park. It was opened this year by none other than the president of Ireland — and park resident — Michael D. Higgins. Bloom was packed with fun for all, with gardening, food, and family enthusiasts flocking to see more than 28 show gardens and to watch more than 25 cookery demonstrations from top chefs from Ireland and Europe. Sneak Peek The Landscape Architects Network had an exclusive peek around Bloom 2013. We will walk you through the best of the show gardens to see how the competition’s gardens have changed over time. And designer and vice president of t...Read More

Upheaval and chaos has been intensified this past week in Istanbul as devoted Turkish citizens protest against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, one of the few green spaces left in Istanbul’s city centre. The young and the old come together, occupying the park singing songs, dancing, reading and even planting new trees in an effort to stand against the inconsiderate decision made by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to turn the park into a profitable shopping mall. The Catalyst The police have been using tear gas and water cannons as the main weapons to break up the protesters as they gather in “Istanbul’s last public green space.”  Protesters, in an effort to stop trees being taken down, had camped out, only to find police burning down their tents in the early dawn on May 30th. As maj...Read More

In a hope to create greener communities, London’s Mayor Boris Johnson has come up with a plan to create “100 tennis court sized pocket parks” in the city. Like all urbanized cities, the need to make them more environmentally friendly has become so much of an issue that creating miniature pocket parks are a quick, easy and enticing option. Moreover, in a trend that is gaining momentum throughout the country, a growing number of communities in the United States are establishing tiny parks in an effort to drive registered sex offenders out of town. Although more and more cities are becoming eager to create pocket parks, more thought needs to be put in on the purpose, use and character, not just for the ease of the size. You only have to look at the very successful and thriving Paley Park, a t...Read More

Modernism as a whole had a major impact on the twentieth century, especially in the arts and in design. Architecture, landscape architecture, film, movies, and art were all heavily influenced by the movement. While modernism’s impact may have been less significant in landscape architecture than in other disciplines – landscape materials, for example, didn’t change as radically in the twentieth century as did building materials in architecture – there were nonetheless many academics and practitioners who sought to move the profession forward as modernism came to prominence in the early- and mid-20th century.  Below are five modernist landscape architects whose work you should be familiar with:   1. Lawrence Halprin (1916-2009)   If Lawrence Halprin had only built one...Read More