[Craig A Raines]

Know you fall zone heights for the different play surfaces, resilient, sand, chips, etc. Know the different types play and be familiar with the universal accessible play requirements (ADA). 

 

I work for the city of los angeles department of recreation and parks so i deal with playgrounds alot.

 

 

[Craig A Raines]

I concur. I remember a professor of mine, Dan Moribato U of Idaho, once said to the class “If you won’t get rich practicing Landscape Architecture” So True….I have been through two major economic downturns and am now only somewhat comfortable financialy. With this said I would do it again this time only differently…….If you want stability look elsewhere why even the old fallback goverment positions are not a lock anymore.

The reason that you do not see people with companies for very long is they do not encourage it as their is always talent waiting to prove. The profession is not all that difficult to master.

 

 

[Craig A Raines]

Have you tried Viagra?…….

[Craig A Raines]

As i imagine as our spaces become more ‘Urbanize’ and densities go up i would image the way we deal with stormwater will have to be accomplished in a more vertical and creative way. Just keep the civil engineers out the conceptual phase and only use the to actualize the technical details of the soulution.

 

[Craig A Raines]

tell me about…..it drives pretty much all components of my life….its to the point where its just who I am…….and I couldn’t be more pleased.

 

cr

[Craig A Raines]

Develop a non profit.

[Craig A Raines]

No…..I enjoy it immensely. People get on the defensive way to quickly ( myself included at times) and we all need to chill…..besides the mothership has landed and i am receiving signals that it is time to board..

 

From now on instead of being landscape architect i proclaim myself as a dissident soviet cosmonaught.

 

 

[Craig A Raines]

The design process for me is all inclusive of sustainability and I am such a techno geek that i am always searching for new tools to present and acutualize my process and ends. 

 

Sustainability is such a buzzword today….I have always gone to great lengths to have my projects work in a sustainable manner…it sort of goes hand in hand with how a la should look at the land

[Craig A Raines]

What people forgot that landscape architects with their training and big picture visions and adapt and prosper under any circumstances…………EYES ARE ALWAYS WIDE OPEN and taking everything in….Its who we are

[Craig A Raines]

Happy easter….The important thing is to be passionate about what you do and you guys sound like you are.

 

I do miss northern idaho and still count the area as a inspiration.

 

cr

 

[Craig A Raines]

For where ever you are at design build may work…..here in LA in my estimation it does not……There are so many landscape design build firms here that your head swims….a lot of them do good work. Also with the cost of living and business cost being so high you have to make some serious coin. 

 

Another reason I do not like design build is that it really is geared for residentual and after 26 years of design I am done doing peoples houses.  With that said A lot of muncipalities are going to design build contracts but generally not for design build for landscape. There are some huge design build here ( ValleyCrest/Enviromental Industries) that dominate the design build  commercial market…..

 

Also here in LA everyone here thinks highly on themselves and most market themselves quite well. Also I wouldn’t get too bent on this as if you love what you doing that all that matters…….I just wouldn’t do it for myself…..

[Craig A Raines]

I really do not worry about the color choice as knowing how the color works and what it is doing is the key…that way you can never go wrong. Also i only bring the colors to the table that i feel fit my vision on how i want the graphic too be……….I am also very talented 🙂

 

craig

[Craig A Raines]

Design build is tough, i would say impossible unless you tap into a high end residentual market. I had my own design firm for some years and even with a partner it in itself was brutal both physically and emotionally as i was working 14 hour days 6-7 days a week with a young family.

 

Personally from a artistic point of view i would never do design build…what i would do though is in my contracts with the client put in a zilllion hours for cm and establish a very linear line of communication that is to be strictly followed by the contractor……..I would also spend a lot of time at the range getting getting your game on.

 

peace

cr

[Craig A Raines]

In all seriousness if you have no strong ties here any time you get the opportunity to experience other cultures that are different go for it ….also it can only suck if you apply a narrowly focus mind set.

 

 

[Craig A Raines]

Hey the “Dude” rules so slack off on your socal bashing….now where did i put my weed.

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