David Cristiani

I don’t know that you can search by a general subject, but think of all of the projects that are dominated by one aspect and they are endless.
9-11 memorials – any of them, any memorial at all, historic restorations, any type of restoration project (including wetland or habitat), any theme based design (what about that MAC/Apple project that was…[Read more]

“autodidactic”  …. YOU’LL GO BLIND!

Looks like a Cat 980. I used to operate one ….. enought to bring it up to where I’d powerwash the bark out of the belly pans at the lumber mill that I worked at. Just another task for the “gardener”.

I’m glad we got a lot of different perspectives on this thread also.
 
I don’t layout jobs for contractors. I just measure details that I need for existing conditions base plans. If a curved walkway exists, it is not usually missed by a survey crew. The 24″ oak between it and the house often is missed. The oak and its 8 brothers are what I’m…[Read more]

Pay attention to the demographic that you market to. While we all appreciate that good design is worth the investment at any size or budget project, the reality is that your ability to get paid to design inreases as its percentage of the budget decreases – in other words, you won’t get much out of a low budget/ medium budget prospect. Put your…[Read more]

Definitely on board with the notion that no one is going to do a better job of getting what is necessary in a survey than the designer (with experience). Another huge benefit is that you have the ability to get more data right away as you develop a need for it … such as getting tighter topo where a retaining wall is planned as the design…[Read more]

… do architects drink beer?
 
You are right, though. It is about adapting and building relationships. Few of us are working on projects that do not involve other professionals. If we see them as the enemy, we are in big trouble.

When you say ‘participating in’, do you mean you are involved in the project, or giving public comment on at hearings?

Attend public hearings in your community for conservation, zoning board of appeals, and anything else that is discussing a project that is yet to be built.  .. then directly engage the individual, or developer, or architect, or attorney, or engineer, … The key is to get in front of people before they have nailed down the LA.  … great way to b…[Read more]

Build relationships with other professionals in your community – architects, engineers, custom builders, landscape contractors,… That is where my good work comes from – they introduce me to their clients. I supplement with homeowners who find my webpage.

I don’t lose sleep over architects, engineers, landcape contractors, or little old ladies designing landscapes. I do what I do – some people buy it some people don’t. When I can’t sell it, I’ll adjust.

Both times that I was in school (one degree – U Idaho) a number of the LA students in and around my class were former architecture students – is that true with other schools as well?

The Bosch DLR165K goes for under $150 and the glasses I have seen for $13. You’ll know why Mini-Me had such a liking for lasers after you use a good one. … not quite such a profound liking, but a liking.

I don’t think anyone is saying that all architects can design all landscapes. Nick said “if you work hard and know your $hit” as a qualifier. It looks like this seminar is to try to help them know a little more $hit.
 
This is a tough time for people building as well. They are making decisions based on expense. They may see the value in a be…[Read more]

LIKE

If they can beat us at our game for a particular project, they are either good, or there is not much of “our skills” that are needed for the project. Either way, I don’t think there is any good reason to feel like a victim over it.
 
So many are always complaining that the landscape is under appreciated, but whenever it gets appreciated by other…[Read more]

… and others simply want to know how much back room production you can put out before they use you up and replace you with the next one at an intern pay rate.

The dot just shows up very vividly even when I can’t see it at all without them. I used to constantly start by shining it at the ground near me and then trying to follow it to the target. You won’t have trouble finding the dot with the glasses. It really surprised me how good it works.
 

Exactly what I do, although I more often shoot from the trees (or other point) to the corners of the buildings – partly to make sure I get at least two clear shots for each point located and partly to get up close and personal with as much of the site as possible.
 
Here is what I use n…[Read more]

Perhaps I read more into some responses than what was actually intended. Sorry about that.
 
Craig, the little hand held lasers are getting much better and if you can get a pair of those red colored laser glasses (a pair came with my laser beacon level) they make all the difference in the world. I used to use a FatMax laser that I got for about…[Read more]