Brett T. Long

Don, I think that Thomas said it pretty well. I own my practice and still do much of the AutoCAD production and design work. I am also a Certified AutoCAD instructor with several years of teaching under my belt and it is still a bit of a struggle to keep the standards and x-ref files sorted out from project to project. The unfortunate thing about…[Read more]

Nick! Welcome back to California.  I know you said you are roaming the Coast, but maybe you should try a diversion from West to East across the State.  California’s best design is the access to nature.  In two days you could bisect Big Sur, the Central Valley, Yosemite and jog down to Death Valley and back.  It is a lot of driving, but is ama…[Read more]

Sorry, Jarrod. One is not a landscape architect by merely performing work requiring registration. If you are performing work that is defined by a state’s Practice Act, without direct supervision by a Landscape Architect, you are breaking the law. It is unfortunate, that you feel your postulate is obvious, when you are absolutely incorrect. The l…[Read more]

 No-till gardens are great, but have obvious limitations. Heaping composting material on top of existing grades probably won’t be appropriate on many projects. However these are valuable tools in sustainable gardening.

 
Let’s face it. We have a lot of talented young designers that think it is really cool to call themselves landscape architects. I know the feeling. I am guilty of that. I probably did play it up a few times here or there when I didn’t think it would hurt anybody. However, I know we need to promote and protect our professional license because ou…[Read more]

Tim,  Why not just work hard, study and get your lincense.  This is the law in California:
 
5640. Unlicensed Person Engaging in Practice — Sanctions
It is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or b…[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]

Hi Jake.  Congratulations on your career path.  I graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 1997 with a BS in Landscape Architecture.  I hold both the graduate and undergraduate programs in high regard. I was really impressed with the campus improvements and design studios at CPP .  I think your best bet is to talk to the current students at both univ…[Read more]

Hey Claudia,
I taught AutoCAD for several years and I know that it is very “big” software that can put engineers, architects and landscape architects on the same page in a design team.  I thought I was a wiz until I started teaching it.  Unfortunately, even the latest versions of AutoDesk AutoCAD require considerable trial and error.  Having a go…[Read more]

Xeriscaping is just a brand name for a part of sustainable design. I don’t call irrigation design “Rain Birding”. Our firm and the local agencies; including Lahontan Water District don’t recognize or utilize the term xeriscaping. It seems that it was a fairly successful attempt to simplify lower water use and sustainable designs for homeowners etc.