Fernando Reis

Hey Kev, funny we should be communicating this way instead of calling but wondered if any of you out there would want to start a sub group of residential for traditional/classical. Not many out there but I think would help to focus the discussion. Not that interested in what’s ‘hip’. Trying to keep a long view. No offense to the fashionistas. ps…[Read more]

In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.

Hey everyone, I recently launched a landscape Design Build Magazine this Spring.It focuses more on the consumer rather than the landscape architecture/ landscape designer profession. If any of you are interested at all to see what it’s all about you can visit http://www.naturallandscapemagazine.com click the magazine and you can look through the…[Read more]

Hello, does anyone in the philadelphia, new York or Delaware area have dynascape design program on their computer. Thanks for your response

Hello. I just want to let you know that at SLANT we have just launched our second competition and this time it is an open international garden design competition and all are welcomw. Details can be viewed on http://www.slant.eu

Denis – try “From Concept to Form in Landscape Design” by Grant Reid.  It’s a good starting point for what you’re talking about.

Hello! I am looking for manuals on Design itself – especially combining forms and shapes(geometry), getting beatiful lines, proportions and finally getting harmonious composition. Any good books or e-books? The best free available on-line:) Waiting for advices!

Hello all.. Any plant buffs out there have experience with Panicum virgatum ‘heavy metal’ or ‘Northwind’ in the SF bay area?  Based on the zone specs it should be fine but my broker hasn’t sold too many of them and couldn’t comment on how they perform in the area… any help would be appreciated.

hello guys…
 
glad to join the group.

barlow, I would really be interested in seeing what European style sketches are and what one would percieve is the common american style of drawing?

to David — your response was great. thanks. we are about to over-seed an area with native wildflower mix. have to say, had a really good chuckle, more like chortle reading your comments. then had this amazing image of you talking to some folks out in your mojave neck of the woods about carbon sequestration (mostly because I have been in that…[Read more]

I was wondering what sites residential designers use to find certain products or materials. Let’s say you want to find certain types of outdoor porcelain tiles, sculptures, water features, etc. Are there sites out there that are relevant for us to use? And if so, would anyone like to share these?

David, I love your common sense approach!!!

Oops — just saw the link in your second post — thanks, David.

Still would be great to read the actual pub to know what was included in the study.

Wow…. and I thought my comment was long winded!

This is great, though, David. I appreciate it. It is helpful to have to have a peer reviewed pub in this conversation (it means i better try to find the one I was referencing!). And it does run contrary to the prevailing wisdom in the “green” community regarding turf. Do you have a web link or…[Read more]

This is interesting:

‘Corrected’ UC-Irvine study shows turfgrass to be positive sequester of carbon

Scientists from the Department of Earth System Science at the University of California – Irvine recently published a paper in the journal Geophysical Research Letters on January 22, 2010 titled, “Carbon Sequestration and Greenhouse Gas Emi…[Read more]

In response to John’s question “how would you propose to reduce emissions and increase sequestration through design” in addition to my comments below about how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – landscapes can also play an active role in sequestering carbon through thoughtful plant selection and soil stewardship. Research has shown that…[Read more]

I believe the solution is to first accept the dual responsibility built landscapes hold in both causing environmental degradation AND protecting and restoring the ecosystem services we depend upon.

I agree with David, we can not and should not eliminate turf completely from our landscapes. There are many scenarios where mowed lawn is the best…[Read more]

I have not read the article, Heather, David and Reid, but I think the basic point is good one — maintenance should be consideration in designing a “sustainable residential landscape.” Even here in the SW, we will design what we think is a more sustainable landscape, and put in a water harvesting swale with cobbles. As it turns out the maintenance…[Read more]

David your are correct!