Gabriel S. Metz

In arid regions of the country 2:1 manufactured slopes are common place.  In areas with higher precipitation rate 3:1 is generally the recommended max.  However in overpass construction, slope and shoreline restoration 2:1 can be common to meet and connect to existing stable slopes.
As a general rule, if you are specifying any company’s pro…[Read more]

Yep that is the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

I use the same technique as you describe.   This is by far my favorite way to render plans.  I can render quick and dirty just adding color or I can build up color layers creating depth.  I like to render on the back while highlighting and shadowing on the front.   I found that 13 pound trace works the best.  It is heavier and more durable than t…[Read more]

In my opinion, if you have never been to the Getty, you should most definitely spend a day there.  You can learn equally from bad design as you can from good design and form your own opinions. 
A few more worth seeing…
Huntington Library in San Marino (LA area) is a must see for me!
http://www.huntington.org/
Gamble House and surrou…[Read more]

TJ
I just remembered another project that may interest you, check out Kate Orff’s work and her firm Scape in New York.  She also teaches at Columbia.  Here is a link to her TED Talk given earlier this month.  Think you will find some aquaculture ideas near the end of the talk.
http://www.ted.com/talks/kate_orff_oysters_as_architecture.html

Are you by chance working on the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project?  If you are, it sounds like a great ecotourism project, so many things going on.  If it is not this project, check it out for ideas.  I was just looking at that project a few days ago and a couple recent articles came to mind.  I am a NPR news junky and recently they…[Read more]

We use Garn Wallace with Wallance Laboratories for projects throughout the US. http://www.bettersoils.com/. He and his team are great to work with and can full all your needs. I send him soil samples by fedex all the time.