Christine Piwonka-Bernstein

Great idea for a group, Jennifer. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about where I can find positive examples of design company policies/experiences and I’m eager to hear them, as well as creative, constructive discussion about ways to improve the bad ones. 
I’d like to offer a positive story so I’ll have to reach beyond my design office experience,…[Read more]

so, since we’re sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly here’s my contribution.
 
Last summer we had a pretty significant weather event. EVERYTHING in the city government shut down, schools closed, highways closed, the mayor declared a weather emergency. On the news they kept telling people STAY OFF THE ROADS; it’s not safe. On the morning of the…[Read more]

Info Q/Request? Anyone got a thumbrule cost computation rate for an earth fill using MSE (Mechanically Stabilized Earth)?

July 6 issue of ENR – Cover Story does a great service in fully explaining the contributions of landscape architects, especially in terms of sustainable design and construction. If you have an ENR or ASLA membership, you can read the full article

“Landscape Architecture Puts a New Spin on Natural Systems” Article in Engineering News-Record

I remembered another company policy I heard about. There is a company that has a pre-review meeting about 3 months before the employee’s annual review. Someone who is a superior (but not everyone involved in the formal review process) discusses the employee’s strengths and weaknesses with him/her and offers suggestions for improvement. Three…[Read more]

I do think that certain comments in this group could be dangerous – I suggest that if someone has a story to tell that could get them in trouble that they ask a friend to post it for them or post it as though they heard it somewhere else. My intent is to illuminate both sides for the benefit of all.

On that note, I will share a few company…[Read more]

This could be dangerous but I’ll have a go….LOL
The first thing that comes to mind is very general but I think it affects every studio: the technology generation gap. From an employee point of view I am disheartened that I see my career path suffer because of the gap. All members of a studio should know the the basic tools of our trade including…[Read more]

Awesome idea, Jennifer!

Hey all…LA in Kenya is stil young, we have to keep justifying ourselves more often than not. I recently started working at an engineering firm and i must say its a bit lonely.

I am a landscape designer working towards my professional registration as a Landscape Architect. I received my BSLA from Arizona State University in May ’05 and have been working for one of the largest engineering design firms for over 3 years now. Our office has one RLA, but our supervisor is a PE. The main advantage here is that I am learning…[Read more]

I recently relocated to Iowa from Arizona. I’m the only LA in my firm and the guys here seem to understand the want for the LA side of projects. The harder sell is to the clients, especially when I don’t get put in contact with them until a plan is needed to meet city requirements. Any suggestions as to convincing the Project Manager to bring me…[Read more]

Hi i am new to this group and i feel your pain!

Great group thread….Here are a few of my favorite quotes made to engineers over the years…perhaps you can relate?!
“Rectangular ponds are great….if you’re treating raw sewage”
“Yes, all those trees are necessary…..to hide your handiwork”
“Remember, Jesus was a carpenter because Landscape Architecture wasn’t invented yet..”
“Apparently…[Read more]

I’ve been working for a landscape contractor for 8 years running, now working for a consultant in Kuala Lumpur, apparently a lot of shit is happening to my projects where engineers seem to over look conservation here in Malaysia.

We’ve got a beautiful climate but a not so beautiful way of managing projects. I heard that in Australia LAs and…[Read more]

Hey Isabel, you live in the UAE, too?

🙂