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Landscape architecture as a discipline has a long and troubled history with images. The English word landscape, to start, originated in European painting tradition. Landscape architecture theorists and practitioners still argue over the role that images should play in our profession. So it’s perhaps unsurprising that the public introduction of generalist machine-learning image generators – such as Dall-E and Midjourney – in Spring 2023 was met with consternation in the profession.  Speculation over the following months has been hyperbolic. Will these tools free up landscape architects’ time and help us better communicate the futures we imagine? Or will they strip all the creative components out of our practice and automate the fun away? I spoke to designers from 4 different pra...Read More

This piece is about using landscape architecture methods to explore community foodways, specifically in the Brazilian Caatinga ecoregion. My own upbringing in Brazil has imparted an admiration for the communities that make my country what it is today and the natural environment at the core of their identity. I am interested in mapping unique rural cuisine in an effort to show that food is a significant cultural element that ties people to native landscapes. There is a possibility to tell stories of social resiliency and environmental responsibility through traditions and landscapes. Studying landscape architecture has allowed me to look at Brazil with newfound appreciation. During the last year of my graduate studies, I used my skills to relearn the history and heritage of the Northeastern...Read More

Landscape architects are expected to know a lot about a lot. Ecology, social dynamics, construction detailing, CAD/Adobe/BIM? That’s just a one-hand list we all spin through in a few years at design school. However, once we emerge into practice – the expectations are still there, but the knowledge-building gets more haphazard.   In practice? Carol knows how bidding processes work and who to call at each department of the city to get permits moving. Imani can estimate slope percentages without pulling out a tape measure. Chris is the plant person. You’ve all seen it. Individual designers having specialist expertise is great – but too much fragmentation in a design organization’s knowledge base creates problems for individual designers, projects, and businesses.  Lack of clear kn...Read More

I’m excited to share some invaluable insights that I wish I had been privy to before embarking on my journey into the profession of landscape architecture in the video above and summarized below. It’s one of those fields that often stays under the radar until you stumble upon it in college or through a friend or family member already immersed in it. So, if you’re considering diving into the world of landscape architecture, buckle up and get ready for some key considerations! 5. You Don’t Need to Be an Artist When I was first considering landscape architecture, I feared my lack of artistic background would be a roadblock. However, let me set the record straight – you don’t need to be a Picasso to succeed in this field. Sure, having an artistic flair can be bene...Read More

In today’s fast-paced world, we are inundated with multiple software options capable of navigating us through all design phases. Yet, why do we find ourselves endlessly debating the correct software when they can theoretically produce the same results? Determined to find an answer, I embarked on a journey to discover the best program for Landscape Architects. This led me to create the video above that shares my discoveries and let’s just say… it left me feeling just as conflicted as before. For those who prefer not to watch, here are the key highlights: You Can’t Compare AutoCAD and Revit One of the most evident issues in these debates is the attempt to compare AutoCAD and Revit. This is like comparing apples to oranges. AutoCAD serves Landscape Architects by creating 2-dimensi...Read More

Using storytelling as a medium to convey the intangible meaning of a place is a powerful and effective approach that captures the essence, history, and significance of a location. While site analysis, such as GIS mapping, demographic research, or market studies, can provide a factual understanding, storytelling brings depth, emotion, and a human connection to the experience of a place. It allows users of the spaces we create and enhance to engage on a personal level, transcending mere information and statistics. Here are five reasons why storytelling is a keystone to convey the intangible meaning of a place: Emotional Connection: Storytelling taps into the emotions of the audience – in this case, people existing in the spaces in which we create – giving them a deeper connection to the plac...Read More

Sponsored Post The Salesforce Transit Center rooftop park is a marvelous ecosystem resulting from years of forethought and planning. Spanning four city blocks and 5.4 acres, the rooftop park eases into several distinct sections, including feature gardens suited to San Francisco’s climate. Additionally, a water jet system shoots upwards whenever a bus passes underneath, allowing viewers to track its speed. Let’s meet the firm responsible for this project’s landscape architecture. Get to Know PWP Landscape Architecture PWP Landscape Architecture has been a leader in the field of landscape architecture for decades. Established in 1983, this world-renowned firm has a pedigree that includes dozens of iconic projects from around the globe ranging from urban parks to corporate landscapes an...Read More

Amidst the bustle of the farmer’s market, a short walk from home in Manhattan, we’re buying flowers for our garden and food for the week. Within the burgeoning spring of Union Square, surrounded by blossoming trees and the season’s early fruits and foraging (ramps, mushrooms, asparagus), I find myself thinking about something I rarely pause to consider. A thing fundamental to our lives and to our work as architects and landscape architects.  I was thinking about dirt. I asked about. . . . GROUND What is ground? Beneath this concrete topography, where is original earth? What’s the nature of nature? Nestled in urban pockets in this urban square, or exposed in the countryside: is one really more natural than the other? Climate change: what happens to our island home as land becomes sea? And w...Read More

Sponsored Post Landscape architects are always on the lookout for the design software that caters to their specific needs. However, selecting the right software can be an arduous task as there are many options available in the market. With each software boasting a unique set of features and tools, it can be challenging to determine which one is the best fit. The story of Surface 678 from Durham, North Carolina encapsulates a journey familiar to many landscape architects. The firm started using AutoCAD for their projects and eventually found that the program doesn’t quite have enough capabilities dedicated to landscape architecture. Enter Vectorworks Landmark. The firm tested the software for their workflow and discovered amazing results. They’re able to manage a project from hand drawings ...Read More