[Brian Hochstein]

You are discounting the “lurkers”.  I love reading but don’t have time to post.  I know better.  If I post I will get caught up in long drawn out debates that are fun but time consuming…         

 

I just did it, didn’t I?  I posted. Now I am screwed.

[Brian Hochstein]

If you or your firm has done a project that fits this criteria submit it.  It will not take long and ASLA needs lots of case studies!

[Brian Hochstein]

Ditto.

[Brian Hochstein]

Check out “The Dip” by Seth Godin.  It is on my reading list, just haven’t got to it yet.

 

Here is what the author says about his book:

 

“It’s a mind grenade, a little bit of insight that will help you see what’s causing your organization (or you) to get stuck. Here’s the official description:

The old saying is wrong-winners do quit, and quitters do win. [PS The Dip just hit #5 on the New York Times bestseller list.]

Every new project (or job, or hobby, or company) starts out exciting and fun. Then it gets harder and less fun, until it hits a low point-really hard, and not much fun at all.

And then you find yourself asking if the goal is even worth the hassle. Maybe you’re in a Dip-a temporary setback that will get better if you keep pushing. But maybe it’s really a Cul-de-Sac, which will never get better, no matter how hard you try.

What really sets superstars apart from everyone else is the ability to escape dead ends quickly, while staying focused and motivated when it really counts.

Winners quit fast, quit often, and quit without guilt-until they commit to beating the right Dip for the right reasons. In fact, winners seek out the Dip. They realize that the bigger the barrier, the bigger the reward for getting past it. If you can become number one in your niche, you’ll get more than your fair share of profits, glory, and long-term security.

Losers, on the other hand, fall into two basic traps. Either they fail to stick out the Dip-they get to the moment of truth and then give up-or they never even find the right Dip to conquer.

Whether you’re a graphic designer, a sales rep, an athlete, or an aspiring CEO, this fun little book will help you figure out if you’re in a Dip that’s worthy of your time, effort, and talents. If you are, The Dip will inspire you to hang tough. If not, it will help you find the courage to quit-so you can be number one at something else.

I don’t claim to have all the answers. But I will teach you how to ask the right questions.”

[Brian Hochstein]

(Full Disclosure: I had a candidate MAGNET on my vehicle during the last presidential election) I agree with most others that politics and bumper stickers need to stay out of the work enviroment. BUT the problem is not with the political leanings or beliefs of others. I welcome conversation with others with a different opinion.

In my opinion, the problem lies solely with the inability to debate different points of view with civility. Most politicians attack or immediately goes on the defensive. People lash onto insignificant facts that don’t matter. They never take a long view. Our politicians continue to go ever more negative and the grinding sound you hear is our government coming to a standstill. No debate, no resolution, no civility and no final decisions. Talking heads and media have only aided in making the process that much more negative. I am paraphrasing Representative Emanual Cleaver II but “Would you tell your children or the next generation of leaders to watch CSPAN to learn how to effectively debate a topic and come to a solution? No one would.”

So until civility returns (and I don’t believe it will) I will refrain from discussing politics at work and keep my activism on my private time.

[Brian Hochstein]

I have been working as a professional for 6 years. So I guess that puts me in the “savvy” tier. In my six years I have seen small changes in the form of deliverables. The same plans and details go out but I have seen additions to the design set as necessary. Items such as models in sketchup, vast graphic improvement in computer renderings and cleaner CAD documents have been welcome additions.

I think if I had to pinpoint anything that I have seen a decline during this rough economy (and possibly as a shift in the profession) it would be schematic/conceptual design and construction administration. With less dollars on the table there is not as much time to dedicate to multiple concepts or schemes. I hope that this is just due to the current economic state. It is critical to good design. I also feel that the deliverable of great construction administration is suffering. It has been difficult to sell clients on construction administration.

I think the bells and whistles absolutely seperate the caliber of work. The final products can be vastly different in quality. These quality products can help people without a design background better understand the design and concepts.

However, without the conceptual design and follow through on construction administration the final product will suffer. I fear static and poor templated design coupled with terrible execution if conceptual design and construction administration continue to slip. “Tech savvy” helps sell but good design is and always be the most important component in my opinion. I believe it will benefit us to use all tools at our disposal if they fit within frameworks of budgets and client wishes.

[Brian Hochstein]

I like the pile idea. I have only set walls on top of the retainined area. It would be sweet to pull that out of the ground (in the right style and context of course).

[Brian Hochstein]

Check out some of the green walls being installed in Europe. They can change the scale of buildings in a hurry. Also check out Gas Works Park in Seattle Washington.

I agree, without knowing what the site looks like I am guessing at what might work.

[Brian Hochstein]

I think Eddie is great for our profession and we should use any and all means necessary to continue exposure. I think Eddie might not like you saying he went to LSU though. I am sure it is a great school and everything but he actually graduated from The Ohio State University. He also has an MBA from Northwestern. I think he is a solid “Big 10” guy. : )

[Brian Hochstein]

In general just being a celebrity does not warrant an honorary membership. But Brad Pitt has funded Make it Right, a group dedicated to building 150 green homes in New Orleans. The foundation has a landscape architect on staff. Sounds to me like the staff should educate Mr. Pitt about landscape architecture. This endeavor is among other architectural donations he has made.

In my opinion, if there is something warranted, and something that will raise our profile, an honorary membership may be in order. Especially if that person is someone who, when given an honorary title will have that title splashed all over the networks for free. Even if it is only for a day, marketing is marketing. It of course has to be done right. It also hopefully allows us to educate people to say “landscape architect” instead of engineer with plants.

[Brian Hochstein]

Shipping containers, off of the ground with a simple foundation, oriented to keep air moving or be closed from elements. Create various uses, sleeping quarters, restrooms, kitchens. Power with renewables.

The problem with this idea? Too permanent. It would take an accepting population and help from the community. But a metal shipping container beats a wooden box any day.

[Brian Hochstein]

And on the lighter side of this discussion, The Onion weighs in…http://www.theonion.com/articles/geologists-we-may-be-slowly-running-out-of-rocks,17341/

In all seriousness, working with a local stone supplier that you trust is what has worked for me when using natural stone. I love the concrete comments though. There are so many things that can be done with concrete.

[Brian Hochstein]

OK, so I found one of my online digital reads. Look for “Housing Giants” a publication of Reed Business Information. It seems to come out a couple times a month. This months main piece is on “Home Prices Improve in 17 of 20 Metros”. There is a lot of information but you are going to have to pick through it. Here is the subscription link:
http://reg.housingzone.com/newsletter/subscribe?nid=4760

[Brian Hochstein]

I’m in KC. Doesn’t exist except in the high end market and some independent living. Single family is pretty much dead. Not much is moving with credit markets locked up and no real demand. As far as residential construction there are a few e-mail newsletters out there. If I can find some of them that I have gotten in the past I will post them.

[Brian Hochstein]

Fantastic find. I enjoyed the creativity.

[Author]

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