[Christopher Patzke]

Another display of note are the fireworks/fountains at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA.

[Christopher Patzke]

One charming fireworks tradition takes place in Montreal.  On Friday evenings in the summer one country will present a fireworks display as part of the Montreal International Fireworks Competition.  The streets are full of people (both tourists and locals) and there is always a friendly atmoshpere in the air.  It’s a wonderfully civilized way of starting an evening out with friends. 

[Christopher Patzke]

I thought this was a thread about alternative governments led by hippopotamuses ; )

[Christopher Patzke]

Thomas I really feel for you.  I have encountered the same experience (from one degree to another) at every firm I have worked in since graduating graduate school 12 years ago.  With that said I commend Brett Long for his perspective and advice.  One thing I would add is to try to be aware when a comment or an unacceptable tone is not “about you”.  It’s a challenging skill to develop and I am not so good at it yet myself.  Sometimes bosses just need to vent frustration.

[Christopher Patzke]

While on a blind date with LGBT civil rights and another couple – ending the wars and improving America’s reputation on the international stage.  It’s going delightfully I hear.

[Christopher Patzke]

They are visiting the unicorn exhibit at the petting zoo.

[Christopher Patzke]

I don’t think it’s naivity at all really.

[Christopher Patzke]

When Central Park was originally conceived it was designed for all social classes and FLO’s writings confirm this design intention.  The whole parks movement in the US is based on class conciousness and a desire to uplift all members of a community.

 

Design intention and end use are two different stories though as my original response to this thread illustrates.  I think, perhaps, an inclussive approach to design would fair better than a purposely exclussive approach.

[Christopher Patzke]

I would seriously review precedents that incorporate all social classes.  Central Park is a good start.

[Christopher Patzke]

Great response!  I think one of the challenges in th profession right now is the technical generation chasm.  As a broad generalization based on experience, the more experienced generation does not know how to work with AutoCAD and does not understand the challenges of using AutoCAD and the younger generation does not think/design in the same way the older generation does.

AutoCAD is a great tool for construction documents, but it is not as flexible as hand drawing.  Sometimes it’s just easier and quicker to sketch a design idea than it is to put the linework in CAD.  The older folks are going to expect that speed.  The younger folks may not have the hand drawing ability.  One drawback to sketching things out is that it’s easier to “fudge” alignments in a sketch than it is in AutoCAD.  That not-so-sraight line hand drawn line is going to give an impression that an alignment can be achieved when, it fact, it can’t.

I think Henry’s response is great because it is a way of working that will help the junior person and the senior person understand the strengths and weaknesses of each way of thinking/designing.   

[Christopher Patzke]

^ LIKE

[Christopher Patzke]

Original pattern books can be hard to find, and few, if any, are reprinted.  When I was the Curator of Landscapes at the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities I had access to the organizations archives.  It made my job a lot easier.  If I were you, I would inquire at local historic preservation organizations.  Search for both photos and prints.  Many lithographs and etchings from the period will document architectural elements.  You may also wish to stop in antique shops to see what photos and prints they might have available.

AJ Downings books have been reprinted quite a few times and they should be easy to find.  His works include: A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening, Adapted to North America, 1841, Cottage Residences: or, A Series of Designs for Rural Cottages and Adapted to North America, 1842, and The Architecture of Country Houses: Including Designs for Cottages, and Farm-Houses and Villas, With Remarks on Interiors, Furniture, and the best Modes of Warming and Ventilating, 1850.

If you were closer to DC I would suggest the Library of Congress.

[Christopher Patzke]

Here’s an image from my portfolio.  The project was the restoration of a carpenter gothic parterre garden designed using AJ Downing’s principles – Roseland Cottage Woodstock, CT.  The fence is casual for the Victorian age and may fit your application.  Downing’s treatises could be a good resource for you.  I also believe there are several pattern books from the era that could help you.

[Christopher Patzke]

I suggest reading Holy Shit: Managing Manure To Save Mankind and I hope you never end up homeless.

[Christopher Patzke]

Do you mean plants?

…in that respect the plaza appears totally barren.  It’s a shame because I used to be in that plaza quite often.  While the previous design seemed seperated from it’s context yet softened by plants, the current design seems cold and off-putting.

[Author]

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