Christopher Patzke

I think there is a value in seeing viceral responses to a topic.  Particularly, when that topic is charged, and particularly when there is the level of frustration the ASLA creates.  ASLA may chose not to engage the discussions but, by their own admission, they “monitor” Land8Lounge.  If they are smart they will listen good and hard to what peop…[Read more]

Nope…no BLA.  Oh…and if an MLA candidate wants to get a Master’s in Architecture they have to add two years of education.
 
This really got me a bit annoyed when I was there.  I hold a studio based, four year Bachelor’s in Ornamental Horticulture and Environmental Design.  I entered UVA as a Path A student beacuse I did not have a BLA and spe…[Read more]

earthworker<
 
I agree with you sentiments.
BTW-There is an international organization:
http://www.iflaonline.org/

Jason and Tanya,
 
I really appreciate your “get involved” spirit.  I will probably avoid the ASLA, but I’ll definitely consider forming my own group here in Boston.

I don’t believe Terence to be a landscape architect.  I could be wrong in that assumption.  A quick web search seems to indicate that he is a career non-profit staff member.
 
On a different note, if one looks at the Board of Trustees for the ASLA it is decidedly an aged group of people.  There are few young professionals.  This begs the quest…[Read more]

Sounds like it really doesn’t matter what people think because membership is steady and the checks are coming in right?
 
Here is more of the correspondence:
Good afternoon Terrance. Thanks for the response.  I am trying to read through the lines of what you have written.  It’s a very politically savy response, but I think it demonstrates why tho…[Read more]

Here is the response from ASLA:
 
Your note was forwarded to me, and I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your time and interest. We routinely monitor Land8 but don’t think it is effective or even appropriate for ASLA to step into such conversations among members and nonmembers. We are, however, noting the comments, separating fact from fi…[Read more]

So I recently e-mailed the executive committee of the ASLA and said “Hey…Land8Lounge has a decent cross section of the profession.  You may want to check it out to get an idea of what landscape architects and designers are saying about the profession and about the ASLA.”  Many of us see ways the ASLA and the profession can be improved.  Many of…[Read more]

Put simply if there were no licensure society would have lower standards of safety and handicap access.  Licensure is meant to ensure health, safety and welfare.  It is not meant to validate ego, confirm artistic design ability or come free with the purchase of a degree.
 
As a side benefit licensure provides our clients with a reasurance that…[Read more]

Jennifer I love your response!  Well written and insightful!  That’s why I loved working with you!
 
Jason, I see your points and understand the idea that it’s just a job title.  On the other hand, I think of the latest discussions about the title Landscape Architect, and I have to think that there is more going on in both discussions than jus…[Read more]

It’s not a landscape but I would not miss the Monteray Aquarium.  The shore bird exhibit is delightful.

Please don’t encourage them…their egos are large enough already.

If you go to Bartrum’s Garden (or if you are interested in the origins of ornamental horticulture in the U.S.) I suggest reading The Brother Gardeners: A Generation of Gentlemen Naturalists and the Birth of an Obsession by Andrea Wulf…delightful read.

Winterthur is decidedly a spring garden and was designed as such.  Longwood is a year round delight.  I loved the evening garden parties and fireworks.  I am biased though.  I interned at Longwood in undergraduate school.

I would suggest Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA….it’s just west of Philly.

Perhaps we need better practice laws and stricter enforcement of practice laws to encourage licensure and secure the profession.  The title arguements have become a bit circular.
 
For the record I believe in the title laws despite being a landscape stylist and not a Landscape Architect [ for the moment…one more exam to pass…grading : ( ]

Alan this is really an interesting topic.  Three random things pop into my mind:

• I remember the AIA running TV ads a while back promoting the architecture profession.  While I share your views on the ASLA, I actually think a similar campaign could promote the profession while educating the public.  This way no individual firm feels the burden of…

[Read more]

The City of Boston has a job posting titled “Landscape Designer (Chief Landscape Architect).”  The Commonwealth has title law.  Guess you don’t need to be licensed to be the “Chief Landscape Architect” for the Parks Department of a major metropolitan area.
 
 

I graduated grad school 12 years ago.  I’ve moved so often (Virginia, DC, SF and now Boston), have taken some non-traditional jobs (architecture general contractor, landscape curator) and have not made enough money at times, that I have not qualified for, or had the money, to sit for the exams.  Last year the company I worked for as an As…[Read more]

In the end it’s the stamp that really counts.