Jonathan Smith, RLA

My civil engineer handed me a brochure on the Filterra Bioretention System which appears to be a vault, filled with gravel, sand and a little peat moss that takes in and filters storm water. The vault is topped with a tree grate where you plant a plant from the recommended list provided by Filterra. Has anyone used this system? They recommend that…[Read more]

I agree with Heather about building a track record of using the SSI. It is through application in the real world that tools like the SSI show their strengths and value.

I am anxious to see the outcome of the pilot projects. I think the real world application and testing of Sites is of the upmost importance and we will learn a great deal from this process.

In order to continue building natural capital through the design construction and maintenance of regenerative systems, we need to see the application of…[Read more]

Hi Heather! You and I have had many past conversations when you were in the trenches with SSI. So what are your current thoughts from your new perspective relative to what needs to happen to keep the SSI momentum going? Is practical application the key….or are there other issues that are just as critical?

You’ve been a great resource…..hope…[Read more]

Hey Folks! Just a quick note to say hello and introduce myself. After completing the 2009 report, I resigned as project manager of the Sustainable Sites Initiative to pursue other opportunities and spend more time with my 7 month old son. I am excited to hear your thoughts and concentrate more strongly on the practical application of the…[Read more]

We are strictly a design firm. I personally have some construction experience. When I hire, the FIRST thing I ask is about ANY hands-on experience. It’s extremely important in the residential design and PM environment. Although contractors are very helpful to interns during the construction process, I find that the construction mindset makes it…[Read more]

“I learned the ropes in the field prior to Licensure; I started at an ornamental tree farm then became manager and head of landscapeoperations, then lead designer, then partner in a design build firm, all the while not fulfilled in my carrer thinking that I took the wrong path by not stepping straight into a design firm. It wasnt until I joined a…[Read more]

I also went to design Build after graduation. I feel that if you understand the installation from the hands on construction aspect, it will make you a better designer and allow you to push boundries because you really understand them.

Contractors can be allies or enemies and it will affect the project on some level. I have found that working in…[Read more]

Great conversation and thoughts everybody.

For me I went straight to a design/build after graduation but that is because I wanted to go that direction. I also spent 3 summers in the field doing the labor prior to graduation. No experience with a design only firm.

Correct me if I’m wrong but in most cases I design only firm doesn’t begin to deal…[Read more]

Tim, Jay, and others –

Just found this group, and am happy to see it exists. I am actually one of the Masters students you spoke about who is lacking direct landscape construction experience. I agree wholeheartedly with the comments, and see this as a huge problem. Do you have any suggestions on the best methods for acquiring this experience?…[Read more]

Did anyone go to Chicago and see any SSI presentations? Anything good?

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i am interested to set up online landscape design company for project in middle east and like to invite landscape architect to work online on project base.
mustafa kamal
mail@hortigroup.com.pk

Yes, the meeting went great! Stacy summed it up pretty good. It was fantastic to have Dominique come in and talk with us about her experiences using SSI on a project. From our discussions, we know there are a lot of kinks in SSI (as one would expect) but my feeling from her was that the document works well in establishing that necessary baseline…[Read more]

I thought it was great – especially Dominique’s experience with SSI for Lenexa City Center project. Several of the pre-requisites were un-achievable on that one. Those points were very worthy, highlighted the critical importance of proper site selction and deemed certainly worth keeping central in the SSI focus, but totally screwd the pooch (so to…[Read more]

Matt- How did the meeting go?

Hey folks in the KC area!
Just a reminder to those on Land8lounge that we’ll be having our monthly meeting this thursday (27th). If you haven’t received details, let me know!
Matt

Jay,
I have run into similar situations in my work experience, (I’ve worked at 4 firms and have ten years + of construction experience) where registered LA’s are “designing” things but have no practical knowledge of how the thing will actually stand up or be built and a very narrow knowledge of construction in general.It seems often-times the old…[Read more]

Hi Scott
I learned the ropes in the field prior to Licensure; I started at an ornamental tree farm then became manager and head of landscapeoperations, then lead designer, then partner in a design build firm, all the while not fulfilled in my carrer thinking that I took the wrong path by not stepping straight into a design firm. It wasnt until I…[Read more]

Great idea for a group!