Jonathan Smith, RLA

I think it could work.  Right now I’m putting together a proposal with a firm a few hundred miles away.  Never met them face to face.  But I know their work from their website, know them from e-mail and phone conversations.  This idea could even work with interdisciplinary projects as well.

Already happened at University of Idaho and WSU.

I’ll look for it , thanks Henry. Read his collaboration on Garrett Ekbo with Dorothee Imbert and enjoyed it. What a guy!

See, Craig, this kind of knowledge is why I should be working for someone else first…

…I think I take a bit of time this winter and go visit firms again, see if I can land a job…

There are federal laws that bar unpaid interns from working on billable projects. Doubt there’s any real enforcement, though

On the other hand, internships are so short and aren’t meant to supplement a firm’s employee needs. How many entry level positions do you think an intern could really displace?

I think internships should be seen by firms as an investment in the profession, not as a way to get work done cheaply or as a way to make it through tough times.

I still…[Read more]

Ha, ha! Yeah, let’s both move to Elko…

I can see your point. Ahh. Frustrating.

It’s great to know that I can blow my top, write a page of almost incomprehensible jibber jabber and have other people articulate my frustration add to it and create an interesting conversation of it all.

I think what I’ve drawn from all your comments is this:

1.) I should be grateful for the success I have been afforded by geography,…[Read more]

I can apply for reciprocity only after I meet the state’s requirements (see a,b and c). Since I just earned my license this year, any period of experience starts now…

Thanks, Andrew. I was worrying about being able to estimate an appropriate amount of time in which to complete the work. Having it broken down like this puts it more into perspective…

My own experience has taught me that it’s more important to understand plant design theories, why combination look good together, than simply look for good plant combinations. Anyone can see that autumn joy sedum with fountain grass is a killer combo, but why?

Try reading books by Piet Oudolf. Subscribe to Garden Design, Fine Gardening and…[Read more]

I used the reading list included in the LARE review materials. Get a book on professional contracts, engineering, architecture, surveying, it’ll all be the same. I read a book on engineering contracts and found it very helpful when taking the test.

I also used the review booklet and reviewed anything that I was unclear about

Also, flash cards…

If you wouldn’t mind explaining where you come from, Russell, then maybe I can get a better perspective on your answer. For your perspective, I’m in my early thirties, have a family and ambition to succeed that has more to do with working on the type of projects that have the potential to leave the world a little better when I’m done. Idealistic?…[Read more]

Truth be told, I’ve been applying for every entry level position that comes across the ASLA job board. Most of my family and my wife’s family live in Seattle and I have taken resumes and small portfolio’s around to firms on several occasions. I have a fear of being lost in this pause in the economy and started my business simply to pay the bills…[Read more]

Thanks for replying, Andrew.

The realities of the market around here are much as you describe. Not a great base for high end anything. At the high end I may get $1500 from the design side of a project, so my bread and butter is the installation. I’ve thought of lawn care and starting a nursery, but, as you said yourself, the market is fairly…[Read more]

Reese Surveying in Helena.

Looks like you’d need to go in through the inside of the wall. Not easy or recommended. I’d build the waterfall part on the outside of the wall using 4″ CMU’s and placing your catchment and reservoir at the base. You will likely have a hard time matching a veneer to the existing stone. How about using a veneer that compliments the existing rock work?

I’m a designer in Moscow, Idaho. I charge $55 an hour for design work and have been working at this rate for long enough that I’m able to estimate how much time each stage of design will take. A couple pointers: make sure you charge for meeting time and driving. If your clients know you will be charging them by the hour for meetings and to get to…[Read more]