J. Waldron, RLA

A good starting point to help is the center for international disasters.

http://www.cidi.org/reg_off.htm

I too took the UGA review session. While it helped with the multiple choice section, I felt the thing that helped me the most on the graphic sections was locking myself in the spare bedroom office for 3-5 hours a day for a couple months, if not more.

That prep didn’t prepare me for one of the more difficult E problems. My experience in the home…[Read more]

“are we currently capable of achieving a clear and accurate cocktail party summation of our job description?”

When I am asked what a landscape architect does, I always answer “we are designers of functional exterior environments”

I remember an interesting story from college. We had a wolpert rep come in and speak to our professional practice…[Read more]

I saw that a while back. He does come off as pompous. If you’ve ever seen his work, you’ll agree that he should probably reel his attitude in a bit. Perhaps his concepts and the functionality of his structures shed a bit more light, but he has mastered the art of designing peculiar objects.

It’s a great idea. We need to be bold with efforts to recapture pedestrian space from the vehicular environment. More so, we need to eliminate impervious surfaces from those spaces and reintroduce vegetation into the landscape. A little water would be good too. People attract people, food attracts more people to spaces and comfortable micro…[Read more]

They are much better than gravel bags when used as inlet protections. they also come in customizable lengths that can be cut to fit in the field. I prefer the grass straw or coconut fiber varieties.

I submit http://poweritcareers.com as exhibit A. and Avalon ENG as exhibit B. They don’t respond to emails and their contact phone # is a cell phone that simply disconnects when called.

Job search engines are garbage. Even the “legit” ones. But there is good news from some of them…..like careerbuilder.com. After I submitted my experience and…[Read more]

I am a big fan of Patrick Dougherty’s work. I had the good fortune of working with him on a few projects when he came to Clemson. The guy will work you to death harvesting the material.

http://www.stickwork.net/

Do a search on this site for the google group. Probably find it in the professional practice forums. That group and a trip to my old arch. library got me through the exams. If that fails, I can dig up some pdf’s for you. That section overlaps the other two multiple choice sections, so if you’ve passed those, the D stuff is all you’ll need.

For graphics, I really like the work of Mike Lin. I highly recommend getting his book “Drawing and Designing with Confidence”

He also holds seminars and training sessions of varying lengths. They are costly, but worth it for the results. Check out his website at http://www.beloose.com

When I render, I like to use AD Chartpak markers on vellum.…[Read more]

I generally practice good use of xeriscaping techniques coupled with the use of bio swales, and natives. I also recommend rain barrels to homeowners and larger capturing systems to my larger, commercial clients.

one of the bigger “recycling” things I like to do on larger developments is use recycled concrete and asphalt from on site demo, on site…[Read more]

Sherman,

It may be a good idea to look through the US Forest Service Landscape Management Series, Volumes I and II (these were publications from a while ago so I’m sure there are updated texts.), Chaper 5 is on Timber and Chapter 6 is on Fire.

They also have a publication called forest landscape analysis and design.

Daniel,

The design work of those spaces are equally as impressive as the models. well done. I will definitely pre-order.

I’m a novice to SketchUp, and my biggest challenge is creating good landforms. I’ll be interested to read your techniques.

Some of my more modest models:

Perhaps I need to clarify. I have every intention of taking the LEED exam, even if I have to pay for it. I do not discount the merits of the AICP certification, but I am not qualified to take it.

I am looking for a graduate degree that will give me the business background to accomplish my entrepreneurial goals, but also make me more marketable to…[Read more]

The second purpose is what I’m really after. A good bit of my background is in land development management and aquisitions. I have a different sort of vision for a company that practices LA, develops on a smaller scale, and has a development consulting component with a bit of design-build mixed in.

I’m actually taking the LEED exam this spring. I’m pretty sure my firm would laugh if I asked them to pay for an MBA…..going to have a hard time getting the $400 out of them for the LEED.

Brandon,

I’ve been thinking along the same lines you have in recent weeks. One thing we are doing in our firm is creating project specific portfolios that may be geared for any one particular type of project (ie streetscapes, civil eng, utility infrastructure, planning, etc.) We are actively submitting these project sample portfolios for numerous…[Read more]

Why not design and build your own? For that budget, you could build 10 of them. You shouldn’t need any tools except for a basic drill. Any lowes store could cut the wood to your specs for free.