[Gabriel Hydrick]

Now THIS is what our profession is about.   In my opinion our profession gets too caught up in the distractions of our industry and ignores, too often, the core of our profession-  People and place.  How and why we use and react to our built environments the way we do whether for good or bad. Thank you, thank you, thank you..

[Gabriel Hydrick]

Thanks Trace.

Great to hear of examples that have gone before. Sounds like some great fertilizer too! Recycled Philly Cheesesteaks!
This stuff is relatively new to me as I don’t spend much time in big cities and have never lived in one. Closest I get is Sacramento and some, including myself, would argue that it isn’t a true big city.

It seems something like this could work in smaller communities too so long as there was a private investor willing to donate.

[Gabriel Hydrick]

Thanks Nick.
From my perspective and experience… In my ‘small’ community, and immediately surrounding us, we have this problem and the city is absolutely partially responsible.

Two examples- (My neighbor is a building inspector for the city. Through him I have stories to list that would make Santa Claus’ list seem like a small honey-due list)

First. The city I live in was voted in 2006 as one of the best and fastest growing in the nation. One particular community that was being developed went through the city process so quick that the city missed an arterial connection to the main highway, that was supposed to be there. Now that has caused serious and very expensive ‘fixes’ with neighboring communities, commercial lots and a bypass that is going in now. The city is not totally at fault but they were so quick to get the next developer on board and approved they had many careless and needless oversights. Irresponsible.

Second, is a tiny community, in the same city, that I worked on personally. To keep it short, we did precisely as the city wanted. (this project was a city funded housing complex) Then we waited. And waited. And waited. Finally they came back and said this isn’t what they wanted. They did this several times and expected us to make their revisions on our time and dime even when we pointed out the revisions were contradictory etc. Their inability to be decisive, have a vision and move forward has led to one of the lots as mentioned above in the middle of town.

As for the developers, I have come across many, not all, but many where their ‘eyes were bigger than their appetites’. Irresponsible.

Granted, if the city ‘cleans up’ behind the developer the cost would be passed on to the taxpayer. Last thing I want is more taxes but what these examples demonstrate is the delicate thread that weaves our profession, communities, ideals, motivations (individually and collectively) etc. and reiterates the need to vote qualified and responsible people into office. Thats a whole other topic though so I digress. (sp?)

Say hi to beautiful Colorado for me.
Gabe

[Gabriel Hydrick]

In DD, with a computer one cannot FEEL the design principles and elements come alive as they do when pencil dances with paper. For me, I rely strongly on FEELING the design. I just can’t on a computer. There is a connection between the hand and mind as my hand develops and traces the composition. Just me though.

Design for me is evoking a desired emotion in a given space. An experience. To do this well I have to FEEL it myself; transfer it into the design. It starts with me. If I can’t feel the design as the designer at the very beginning how is the desired reaction of my audience in the space supposed to be felt and experienced in the end product?

I think there is a value in renderings (hand) that leaves something for the imagination, where the rendering isn’t so absolute.

[Gabriel Hydrick]

Thanks for posting this too. I have also struggled looking for books about LAs rather than solely Architects. Never crossed my mind to put it on Land8.

One other book I highly recommend, though not the genre you are looking for, is The Architecture of Happiness by alain de botton. This book opened my mind further and expressed many sentiments objectives as a designer regarding, principally, expression and aspirations of humans through design.

[Gabriel Hydrick]

Nick
I read this a few years back also (Lapidus’ book) and really enjoyed it for the same reasons. One that I read 6 or 7 years ago was Fletchers Steel: an account of the gardenmakers life. Though this isn’t a new book (1989) it will do the same thing for you as did Lapidus’ book. Steele relates his experiences going through WWII , his relationship with his clients, dos and don’ts, insight into his projects. etc. This is a must in my library.
Gabe

[Gabriel Hydrick]

Right on, Right on! Kudos to Baxter

[Gabriel Hydrick]

Antigonum
Welcome to the grupo and thanks for your thoughts and pictures! I think your concerns and irritations are legitimate. I returned from a 2 week visit a few weeks ago (i have lived in PR previously) and unfortunately returned disappointed, relative to Landscape Architecture, anyway. I will save the reasons for another entry but the main reason was what your statement pointed out and the maintenance of public and private spaces. It is a nightmare down there and with SO much potential too. Been to Playa de Naguabo for example???

this is an article from todays paper in the primera hora. it is yet another example of the progress and maintenance issues facing PR. http://www.primerahora.com/diario/noticia/isla_adentro/noticias/al_borde_de_la_quiebra/318920

What can we (this group here on the lounge) do if anything? Antigonum, you have done a great job on cataloging images and observations of various situations. So with this in mind, for example, does anyone or do we have interest in developing a non-profit (or other collective body) that focuses on teaching design (soft and hardscape principles) and maintenance principles to organizations, government bodys, cities, community groups etc. Try to pick up where the academia and professionals are dropping the ball?

I know I am thinking big here but just endulge me for a bit. Lets brainstorm. There is an obvious need! Antigonum has a great start already (images, observations, passion, blog) lets take it the rest of the way! Put it into a pamphlet and powerpoint and rally interested bodies and parties to educate and inspire those accountable for our spaces. Presentations/trainings/seminars etc. could take place. Another body could be formed to implement the education material.

What do you think? Interested in throwing around ideas to see if this is feasable?

Antigonum, thanks again! You are the catalyst I have needed for this group!
Carlos, I am very interested in your thoughts, commentary, and ideas too!

[Gabriel Hydrick]

Ed
Likewise I am interested in the details of your venture. A professor of mine is from New Zealand, Grant Reid (FASLA). I know he has been down there for the last few years after his retirement. If you happen to know him you can use him as a reference. Do you have an email to send some work samples to and/or a website for your contact info and portfolio?

Brief biographical sketch: originally from CA, Fluent in Spanish (lived in Puerto Rico for two years), BS in Landscape Design/Build, 9 years in-field experience, 5 years experience in a LA firms, designed landscapes in Northern California (valley and mountains), Southern California (also lived in So California), Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and Idaho.

I would be interested in speaking with you further regarding any opportunities and more details. Thanks!
Regards,
Gabriel

[Gabriel Hydrick]

One of my favorite trees is the Pinus aristata – Bristlecone Pine. This tree has many qualitys and charactoristics with time/age being its prime factor. Also I am from the Sierra Nevada so it is home for me when I see one.

[Gabriel Hydrick]

I joined this network because of 1. Andrew and 2. the integrity of the Lounge.

1.
-I was fortunate enough to meet Andrew in school and was impressed. He is a creative kid and has success written all over. You’d be a fool not to follow.
-What he has been able to do for the e-community of LAs in such a short amount of time is nothing shy of a miracle.
-He has integrity and class which was displayed a number of weeks back when a member was removed from the lounge for solicitiing work though he was politely asked not to several times. With class and respect the member was removed. The manner in which this was handled demonstrates to me the caliber of Andrew’s integrity and respect for the individual member and the Lounge collectively. Integrity like this equals success and who wouldn’t want to be part of a successful entity?
-The world of LAs should keep an eye on this kid

2.
-Sometimes as designers we get caught in the rut of quickly producing plans and generating revenue and sacrifice originality and personality in our designs. The Lounge lets me explore, ask, demonstrate, learn and colaborate to lift me out of the rut and back onto the track I’d rather take.
-The lounge is a place ‘to push the envelope’ individually and as a profession. I personally get tired of the ‘cookie cutter’ designs really quick and seek originality and personality in all my designs. The Lounge is very inspirational on all fronts; business development, design, educational, sustainability etc.
-The professionalism/integrity of the lounge as explained above

I hope to develop relationships, push the industry forward and higher. There is strength in numbers as is eveidenced by the growth of the membership in such a short amount of time, not only in the US but internationally as well. Many times I think this profession is young (which it is relatively) and unknown but then I look at the growth of Land8Lounge and where the members come from. What a great amount of good we can due around the world to individuals and societys because of our strength in numbers unified by our passion to make a difference. You can find me on other e-communities (much to the stubborness of my youngest sister) but this is the only community you will see me actively participating because of the difference I can help make with my colleagues.

Kudos to you Adam for stepping outside the box and “…forgoing my usual phone/in-person interview process and asking a few questions to the general population…” !

[Gabriel Hydrick]

Outstanding Nick. Love the strong, quick and confidenct graphics! I am CSU alum as well, design/build though with Grant Reid. Go Rams

[Gabriel Hydrick]

My wife and I lived in Boulder for a while during an internship I had there. Both of us absolutely loved it. We have talked about moving back and may do so in the future. We love everything about it, very dog friendly, beautiful, very active and some of the best ice cream I have ever had. If your friend likes ice cream have him swing by Glacier Ice Cream off the main drag (runs north-south) through Boulder at the north end. Your friend won’t go wrong by living in Boulder even with the commute. It is a relatively nice commute. Broomfield is nice too. Closer to Denver (just south of Boulder) but close enough to Boulder for the evenings and weekends.

[Gabriel Hydrick]

Tim
I will be emailing you some images, mostly sketches are a variety of projects. If you find you are lacking anything as you compile your book let me know. I have many more illustrations, sketches etc. My email i will be using to send the files is tahoenative@hotmail.com, that way you can check a junk email folder just in case. Thanks
Gabriel

[Author]

Posts