[Chad Crutcher]

The tree in the middle reminds me of the famous Eisenhower Tree at Augusta National’s 17th fairway (I think its the 17th). Watch the Masters weekend after next and you’ll see what I mean. I can completely accept that this may have been intentional. I must agree with Trace that the model was uninspiring. Looked like my toy blocks all over the floor after I destroyed my latest construction. As for being contextual, seems more to have obliterated it than respond to it…or, perhaps Gehry agrees w/ Jason on the Education facade. My subjective thought is that I would have preferred a response to that facade, not a denial of it. And how would you feel if the view out the window from your desk in that building was wiped out by those screens. I could not determine how transparent or opaque they are. Easy to let opinions fly if not the designer, but, that’s the risk we take. Anyway, I’m not moved.

[Chad Crutcher]

One must remember that both the architects and the museums are often seeking to create a building that is an iconic work of art in its own right. Problem is, designing to create an icon is far different than designing a successful building that becomes an icon. This is not a specific critique of these architects or their buildings. I have my opinions, but my subjective view remains essentially meaningless when considering the bigger issue as framed by the first sentence.

Do well doing good.

[Chad Crutcher]

Craig,
You and I are in complete agreement. I think that is why I was more surprised than feeling abused. And don’t let this format limit your sense of freedom to speak your mind. The only rule is civility. Keep posting. Stirring the pot is always helpful.

[Chad Crutcher]

Craig,
I am a little surprised you consider my comments uniformed (referencing the watch the news remark). Did I not elude to the wide swath of pain across the economy? And, I have done the deliver the pizza thing. Even more demeaning jobs than that. Consider being a delivery guy taking a package from a former competitor’s office to a former client’s office…all the while keeping your sunglasses on and messing up your appearance in the hope of not being recognized. Been there ? Done that? I did after my design practice was killed by a recession.

And I’m not crying in my beer. By every measure, I am more fortunate in my market than most others right now. Knock on wood. I almost left the profession 13 years ago, if not for a lucky break after three years of that kind of life. I can relate to both the doom and gloom and the anger and frustration. Of course everybody has to buck up and muddle through. But this time, as has been the case since 1980, the folks who follow the playbook are gettin’ chop blocked and the refs aren’t making the calls because their flags are buried in their pockets under all of our taxes that have come back to them in the form of campaign bribes. You and I are currently among the lucky. And I’ve only lost enough to be at zero. Many are deep in the hole, financially floating upside down like that dead goldfish you had as a kid. Yes, I do think you were a bit harsh with the cryin’ in the beer comment. There are so many suffering more than us. At least we can try to understand their feelings and offer some support. These kids are the future of the profession. Every one of them, whether they do well now or later will need their lucky break. And yes, I agree we make them ourselves by being ready. But you still need the opportunity.

Do well doing good.

[Chad Crutcher]

Colm,
After accepting your friend request, I thought I’d just share with all what I said to you in my response.

You are right, more than you know. This is a way of life. Those that love it, live it. If you are lucky enough to stick with it, a reasonably comfortable life is possible, and without being a workaholic or being so stressed you seize up at 43. It can be harsh, but, that is more a reflection of what has happened over the past 3 decades with our economy becoming more Darwinic through dismantling of the New Deal. More and more posts related to the unemployment threads remark about us older LA’s recalling the pattern of recessions every 8 to 10 years because the thermostats have been taken off the economy.

I discovered landscape architecture in the mid 60’s and immediately recognized a means to make a living that also allowed me to remain, at least in terms of purpose, more of a citizen than a consumer. The way things have been turned upside down, the economy now more readily discards excess with no concern for the humanity. The angst and rage reflected in many young people’s posts is correctly aimed at the powers that be. I can only hope that they, including my children, are more successful at overcoming their parent’s f&%k-ups than our generation was at making things worse. I can go on with the increasing sense of shame I feel about the way things have turned out, but don’t want to dwell there. And, this is a lot more than I said to you.

Jon, I hope you enjoy your wanderings…I’m kinda jealous.

Do well doing good.

[Chad Crutcher]

I like that attitude! You are absolutely right! The most valuable activity a designer can do is travel. And anything done to feed oneself outside the profession will pay off in spades when you find what you learned is aplicable to so many other problems.

Do well doing good.

[Chad Crutcher]

An inspiring discussion, indeed. Thanks to those that explained TED.com. I shall avail myself of its benefits.

My next contribution is two words: Universal Traveler $14.95 at Amazon.com

Zach, if you have not heard of this book, or, if you have and not purchased it yet, then please do so. Upon reading it and using it, I believe you will quickly learn what Nick said…it is a zen-like experience. You will find the answers to your questions in this text…and it is a textbook, on the design process. It was written by 2 instructors at the School of Architecture and Environmental Design @ Cal Poly, SLO and first published during my second year there in 1975.

Trace, I agree if you are suggesting Gehry’s napkin concept is folly. Yes, his first exploration of the idea at Bilboa was great and new, but now everybody wants a copy. With no disparaging feelings toward those that better appreciate his work, I enjoy his works done during periods of new experimentation and discovery. To many copies came afterward each time and it got stale.

The organic concepts for architecture make a great deal of sense. Copying the success of natural systems seems perfectly compatible with sustainability. I’m waiting to see what happens when they catch up to the botanists and other life sciences now looking at and understanding biological systems as information exchange systems like digital data and computers…imagine buildings that sense everything and are in constant adaptation, almost, if not actually biologically linked to its occupants!

In the end, no matter what, it is all about the experience.

[Chad Crutcher]

Zach,

I have been monitoring this thread to see if/when somebody would post a response. I suggest the dearth of activity is because the question is not really phrased correctly…at least, in my opinion. You see, the point is not what is used for inspiration, it is how inspiration is attained. Your question presupposes there can be a single concept (or inspiration as you call it) that can be applied to any design problem. Now one could say I use nature as inspiration, but what does that mean? Does that mean if one is inspired by boreal rain forests it would be OK to impose that inspiration on a Sonoran Desert site?

I believe strongly in the design process. I trust it to reveal inspiration. I hope I am not inspired until I have buried myself in the problem, including visiting the site, if at all possible. Who can know ahead of time from where or what inspiration might germinate. It could be something as simple as a sound or smell or taste on-site, the color of the soil and rock…who knows until one gets there. It can even be the jurisdictional context, for all I know. The how is to be open and receptive, to let inspiration reveal itself to you.

I am interested in your answer to your own question, or perhaps more importantly, what compelled you to ask it in the first place. I am not aware of what the reference to ‘TED” is nor the presentation subject material. It would be helpful to hear a bit about this stuff. I’d like the insight behind your question.

Thanks.
Do well doing good.

[Chad Crutcher]

Andrew,
I posted that in the other thread…mostly public work. Our company has always been focused in the public sector so we were well positioned to adjust to the crash in housing and retail. The public sector has tightened considerably due to budget issues across the board. There are fewer opportunities and we are belt tightening. Fair to say I am nervous.

Currently, our design studio has a park under construction, a town square project about to start and we just started an urban design project. We also have a school under construction and a college building project at 50% CD’s. We have work, but not enough to keep myself and my staff busy for 40 hours a week on billable time. There are still lapses and lulls in projects that create big holes.

We signed the contracts for the urban design and town square projects in the past 30 days. The park,college and school projects have been up to 2 years in the making, to date. The scope: full and comprehensive landscape architectural and planning services. We are either the prime, doing all of the work from conceptualization through implementation or, as is the case in the urban design project, the creative lead (designer) on a team of 5 firms (the others will be doing the technical work, including landscape architectural CD’s, we’ll participate through implementation with the role of monitoring quality and adherence to design) and the rest, our firm is a consultant on the team doing civil, LA, geotech, survey, etc.

As to how to get projects, of course your competition is not going to reveal proprietary info, such as their strategy, tactics, etc. I can tell you, in resposne to your comment about “what I think it should be” is that what I was saying in my previous post was exactly what I did to land these contracts. The effort was considerable in terms of time invested getting to know the project, putting forth some ideas, etc. That is what the RFP process is all about…learning about the problem and telling the story about it the way I described.

I think you will find most firms have been able to stay alive doing what they do best. There is still work out there, just a lot less than before. Also understand there is great sensitivity when your peers aren’t doing so well. One does not want to appear to be gloating or boasting. On the other hand, I also believe it’s OK to take some pride in successes in this tough market. A win is a win and they do feel good.

I think that addresses the specifics of what you asked. In closing I suggest focus on what your company has always been known for. It is easier to market new services to existing clients than it is to to do so to new clients.

[Chad Crutcher]

Tanya,
You’ve probably hit on the central issue at the heart of the buying experience for the client, no matter the stripe. In the private sector, they have a business concept in mind, and unless it is a very small project, they are risking a lot against very stiff competition. Therefore, they must attract customer traffic, so they sell the experience. Design must reinforce that vision, be it an amusement park, subdivision or shopping mall. It’s all about the experience. Even for public urban design projects…they are usually aimed at driving redevelopment and/or business revitalization. These districts compete with others, etc. Every town is looking for it’s angle, it’s edge in the marketplace. The designed experience is intended to prompt emotional responses that drive customer purchases, or , in the case of a business district urban streetscape type of project, to attract customers to the private sector businesses. In any case, the objective is to get cash registers ringing.

The key is to be able to distinguish your client from everybody else, to give them their edge. For communities, I believe it is best to get to the essence of the uniqueness of the place for design inspiration. As I said before, the private sector client most likely has a concept that needs to be visualized and sorted out technically, so you’ll need to comprehend and buy into their vision to succeed. In every case, reliance on the design process is at the heart of what we do.

In summary, you have to be able to sell the vision, and/or your ability to help the client realize theirs, and how you will do it (the process).Know how to tell that story. It is part of selling to any client, no mater the project type.

Now you can go and market everybody!

Good Luck!

Do well doing good.

[Chad Crutcher]

San Francisco Conservatory in Golden Gate Park, but again, this is not a public greenhouse, it is a botanical garden; open to the publc, but for viewing only. I do not know of any “public” greenhouses wherein one could garden their own plot.

[Chad Crutcher]

Yup, so they can raid your house while you are out. Lots of press about this danger lately. And I do like your thinking out loud in type… but agree the suggestion is so large and amorphous it is hard to get one’s mind wrapped around a workable concept. That’s why I think the think out loud thing is so valuable…gets others brainstorming too. keep on speculatin’

[Chad Crutcher]

Public sector…transportation, urban design/streetscapes, parks, recreational trails/bike paths, public buildings, including college campus/buildings and schools. Minimal private sector..occasional retail (independent site development like a gas station/mini-mart). We’ve seen our work shift from about 60% public to more than 90%. This is the only sector with some cash left in the pipeline. We can only hope the stimulus money is working its way through the system and will yield more RFP’s over coming months. They are fewer and farther between.

[Chad Crutcher]

Andrew,
Your posting asked freelancers what they are doing and my idea was in response to the very desperate mood out there. You are really trying to market your company and that is a completely different animal with entirely different protocols. There is an endless body of ‘how-to’ marketing literature on the web you may want to look into. What are the engineers in your own company doing?

I market the design studio with or without the rest of the engineering company, and often to other engineering companies. I currently have several contracts where my studio is either the design lead or the LA on a team that does not include our other disciplines. In these cases, I am essentially operating as an independent arm of our much larger organization.

[Chad Crutcher]

Hi, Andrew.
While I am currently employed managing a department that now has no staff (put my last guy on day-to-day yesterday morning as billable work is available; we’re in a bit of a lull before some new contracts kick in) and focused primarily on marketing to fill the pipeline, your question prompted this notion I might try if I were in freelance mode. Can’t say if most have seen that program on one of the do-it-yourself cable channels wherein a landscape designer/contractor plants himself in front of a supermarket or a big-box home improvement store and ambushes unsuspecting people, challenging them to let him come over and redo their backyard for free…I think the title is Yard Crashers, but I might be confusing it with another, similar show wherein they do the same thing for a room(s) in someone’s house.

I do realize he has backing of sponsors and that to do it for free is a real challenge, but therein lies the problem one needs to creatively solve. Work your relationships with others in the industry to see if you can scrounge surplus plant materials. Use construction materials from recycle houses, etc. There are probably ways to pull it off. It would be hard work and lots of time. But if one does not have other employment and needs to get noticed, this is one way to try. Perhaps a group of folks can collaborate on it. I can even envision a successful collaboration morphing into a design practice, launched by some energetic and very resourceful souls.

Anyway, thought I might try that if I was really wanting to make something happen. if it worked, you could garner some local news interest for free publicity. Can’t speak to any copyright infringements, but, here is a way to make your own weather, so to speak.

In some other threads I have stressed this kind of bold thinking is necessary to change things if they are going badly. The only thing stopping anybody from doing anything out of the box is fear…fear of failure. However, if things have gotten so bad, what does one have to lose? It might even turn out to be fun.

If anyone out there is either doing something akin to this already, or decides to try it, please let us know what happens. I look forward to other interesting and oddball ideas. This might get fun. Good idea, Andrew.

Do well doing good.

Good Luck!

Do well doing good.

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