Eric Gilbey

Edward, ASLA Chapters provide LARE Review Sessions fairly regularly, and depending where you live, there may be one close to you. In fact, I am about to conduct one in Omaha, Nebraska, in conjunction with the Central States ASLA Conference. These LARE Review Sessions are immensely valuable, because they not only go over the ways to prepare for the…[Read more]

Jay, I too provide LARE Review Sessions and am about to do another one next week in Omaha, Nebraska. In the almost 10 years which I have been conducting review sessions, I have found that each candidate has a different hardest section that they just can’t get past. Traditionally they have a better chance at passing A & B their first time…though…[Read more]

Robert, Kudos for the research to do something other than standard protocol!
From my experience I would suggest the following…
1. Vectorworks Landmark, for the biggest reason…efficient use of time. Utilizing data rich 2D/3D hybrid objects and modeling features means less time in production, since while you are creating 2D plans, you can also…[Read more]

Having switched over to Vectorworks after using AutoCAD for many years, I was impressed to know that many have been using Vectorworks Landmark in performing SIM (Site Information Modeling) for some time now. The plant symbols are actually data objects that have the ability to be hybridized to be both 2D & 3D, so a landscape architect/designer…[Read more]

Jeffrey, This has been the case with the exam for some time… even when we had to draw planting plans in one section. They would still ask questions in the multiple choice sections about plants and planting design. One thing you can be sure about the exam…you will be asked to show that you know the content in more than one way in many of the…[Read more]

Jeffrey, For about 12 years I used AutoCAD, and would have to say when I switched over to Vectorworks Landmark, I wished I had done so sooner. Specifically for the use of 3D. If you want to keep your project in one program from beginning to end and have high quality 3D rendered presentations, you should evaluate Vectorworks Landmark. A benefit of…[Read more]

Bill,
Many that I have talked to (not from the West Coast) have said they haven’t even heard of the Sunset Zones, or if they did, they recognize that Sunset usually has more to say about Western States interests. But they all are captivated by the way Sunset derives these zones by incorporating “length of growing season, timing and amount of…[Read more]

Brandon (and others), You are probably not going to be shocked to know that CLARB has heard all of these complaints, and ASLA’s Committee on LARE Prep is aware of these, too. It never hurts to submit them, since they have asked for them with the survey, after your redlines.
Recognizing that CLARB is the creator, (in some areas) the administrator,…[Read more]

Welcome to CLARB LAND, as I tell my review session candidates. Key thing to remember is that CLARB (and your state) wants to see proof through the exam that you are minimally competent to protect the public’s Health Safety and Welfare (HSW). And you cannot get around it, so as Greg mentioned, you have to adopt it, because it is your virtual design…[Read more]

Sheldon, I worked with them, as a consultant, on a few projects probably about 10 (more?) years ago. The projects were “big box” stores, in which planting, hardscapes, and irrigation design were involved. Company has been around for quite some time, and has branch offices, too. Not sure if this helps much…let me know if you have some specific…[Read more]

ry, there is an excellent design application you should try…Vectorworks Landmark. It is developed for landscape designers and landscape architects. After using AutoCAD for over 12 years, and now using Vectorworks Landmark, I would highly recommend it. You have the ability to do everything 2D, but in far less time, since it is already illustrated…[Read more]

Claudia and others,
My career has been affected because of the slowing/halting economy. My first job “let go” was in 2005 and the last was in 2007. In both cases, I was let go due to lack of available work. Times like these force us to be creative and more importantly flexible, and in the near future, that flexibility becomes a selling point. You…[Read more]

Before spending $1600 or trying limited trials, you should consider free software available through Vectorworks for students http://www.nemetschek.net/student/ This will provide you with a full version of the software, and that includes Renderworks. With this, you will be able to do the work of AutoCAD, Land F/X, Photoshop and Sketchup, and GIS, too. For…[Read more]

Having been in the industry for about 15 years, I would suggest recent graduates should take into consideration the other benefits offered by employers to “sweeten” the deal. When we thought my wife was going to be able to work from home to watch our first (and soon afterward our second) child, we couldn’t afford daycare, but my employer allowed…[Read more]

Nick, I would agree that any experience will help in boosting your starting salary, but the key change will be seen when you take on project management experience and registration. As you may suspect, entry level positions will be working on the projects that project managers are handing off to them to complete in production. The best way to…[Read more]

For GIS, ESRI may be as good as it gets, but if you are looking for a program that will receive and manage Shapefiles for your analysis and presentation purposes…as well as precisely overlay with Geo (World) Referenced Sat Image Files and even exporting to shapefiles, I would recommend Vectorworks Landmark. You can take the GIS information you…[Read more]

Andie,
I have instructed the LARE reviews in Ohio since 2000 and St Louis for the last 2 years, and have repeatedly recommended Ready Set Practice, as it really is more apt for studying. I also recommend AIA Glossary of Construction Industry Terms. This has many terms and definitions that might not be as obvious in one place and if there are terms…[Read more]

Because the understanding of BIM is less of a known entity to landscape architects, it might be easier to learn about it from architecture cad technology writer, such as Jerry Laiserin, who writes for Cadylist…see the following link

http://aec.cadalyst.com/aec/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=470080&sk=&date=&pageID=3

Keep your eyes out though,…[Read more]