[Clayton Munson]

The best way to select plants is by experience, either personal or through a local nursery. A problem that I often come across is that here in Phoenix we have the extreme heat that is taken into account in all the zoning books and plant descriptions. But we also have a high probability of frost in the winter months. Many of the plants that love the high heat can’t always handle a frost. Two years ago we had a frost that cost millions of dollars in damage just on Ficus.

Phoenix has places where it can even snow, if the conditions are right.

Where does everyone get their info on cold hardiness?

[Clayton Munson]

Jay-

Thanks for finding that article. It does a great job explaining exactly how each title can be used and all the other designations that are out there. It comes straight from ASLA’s website.

[Clayton Munson]

I think we’ve all been there at some point. I agree that there is probably a period that is “to long” the key is to be organized so that if you are having to leave a project for some time you can come back to it and pick up where you left off without redoing to much. But with that no matter what you do, whenever you return to a project after setting it aside you will always see it a little different. I’ve had projects where they have set for a couple months without being touched either because the client put it on hold or I was waiting on city review.

One thing that might help you to break through the wall is to put it aside and finish a project that might be near completion. Giving yourself a sense of accomplishment and new enthusiasm to finish the other one.

It’s something that everyone needs to figure out what works best for them. As well as how long they need. things that have worked for me are walking away for a few minutes, (when i was in the studio I would take a walk around the building) or like I mentioned before working on a different project. There are even times when I would just go home and take it easy for a night and not think about it. I might have to come in early to get a couple extra hours of work in but at least I would feel refreshed and have a clear mind.

Good Luck

[Clayton Munson]

another option is Eagle Point. I have limited experience with it but I have heard that it has its good points. Plus it is substantially cheaper than AutoCAD

[Clayton Munson]

I use AutoCAD with LandFX. I started out using only AutoCAD it worked well since I was trained on it in school however when it comes to creating legends and such it became quite tedious. Recently I purchased LandFX and it has greatly improved the work flow. It can be added on to many different CAD based programs so you don’t have to spend the $4000 on an Autodesk version. LandFX also offers irrigation design, and customer support that is well above anything I have experienced. I have posted a question on the community board and had it answered by their tech support within minutes.

[Clayton Munson]

I have a couple thoughts on this whole topic. First someone made a comment that we might call ourselves Architects with a specialty in Landscape. Using the example of Engineers, there are Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, and many others that all call themselves engineers. This is also used in the medical field with Doctors. If we were to change to architects we would then gain some of the respect that they have earned over the history of the field.

Second. I personally like the title Landscape Architect. That is why I went to school for a BLA. If I didn’t want that title I would have save thousands of dollars and just gotten myself a landscape design degree. I think the best thing we can do is to inform the public when asked about the field and to support and build-up the Professional Organizations like ASLA. 42 states are protected by the Practice Act, meaning that both the Practice and Title of Landscape Architect is protected. If someone is using the title and doesn’t meet the requirements they can be reported to the local governing body, either the state ASLA Chapter or the State Board of Technical Registration. All in all I think those that are licensed should take pride in the title and take action to protect its’ meaning. I know I will when I win the battle with Clarb and Lare.

[Clayton Munson]

I would defiantly render the trees. Overall i does look good. Just a couple things I notice: the shadow on the pool makes it look like the water level is low, there could be more color used through out the drawing.

I recently purchased a couple books that have really made me think a lot more about how to use color when rendering. Mike Lin’s Drawing and Designing with Confidence and Grant Reid’s Landscape Graphics are both great books to help take your rendering to the next level. If you haven’t taken a look at them you should.

[Clayton Munson]

I recently purchased the Wacom Bamboo Fun. When using it with Photoshop I cannot figure out how to configure it so that the brushes are pressure sensitive. Like in the tutorial where as you would push harder the line would get wider. I tried turning on the shape dynamics in the brush setting, but had no luck.

I have the same question with the color change.

Any suggestions to fix this problem?

[Clayton Munson]

Especially when it comes to the site analysis graphic exam. They are trying to create a correct answer for a project that has no perfect answer. Landscape Architecture is not engineering. There is no absolute correct number like those found in engineering/math. I understand that the grading and drainage there is a more exact answer than there would be in the analysis.

I recently purchased the PPI review for section B and studied it completely. When I sat down to take the test there was about 25% correlation between what I studied and what was actually on the test. I’m guessing I’ll have to take it a third time.

[Clayton Munson]

On that note do you find that you are able to spec in the furniture? I work for a design build firm in Phoenix dealing with mostly new home construction and the problem is that I am constantly having to deal with the interior designer when I get to that stage in the design.

[Clayton Munson]

I think the only real solution here is a balance between where it’s ok to skate and not ok to skate. The plaza is a great example. The designer didn’t fight against but for lack of a better term accepted that skateboarding would happen there. To tell someone that they can’t do something but not give them an alternative very rarely works. Also the use of deterrents such as specifying rough materials, saw cuts, or specialized objects that are designed to stop skateboards will deter some but will also provide a challenge to others.

[Clayton Munson]

Another thing to remember is that you do not have to pay the additional fee on each section of the test. $37 per section. This can add up if you find yourself having to take the sections multiple times. But I guess the question is. . . Is saving $370 (each test twice) worth the fees that come later, through renewal and all the other add-on fees.

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