Kevin J. Gaughan

The use of trendy vernacular for marketing in design industries has long been a personal source of contention, particularly as they apply to ecologically conscious design theories and definitions like ‘green building’, ‘xeriscaping’, ‘sustainability’, ‘new urbanism,’ etc. My experience has always been they are used overwhelmingly as marketing…[Read more]

I will keep these all anonymous unless the authors would like to attach their names:

I wish I understood what ‘sustainable sites’ actually means. I could write a treatise, I suppose, suitable for academia. Or perhaps for very willing commercial clients could be interested in a sustainable project.

A recent project brings a developer through the…[Read more]

I feel like I often see citrus trees grown in containers.

Liz, thank you for your inquiry.

Truthfully, I am not a huge fan of LandOnline. I think one of my issues with it, is that it doesnt grab me. It was designed to look sleek and clean, however, there is not much hierarchy on the page. Because everything comes at me at the same level, I am not drawn to click on any of the links. If that is going to…[Read more]

Can I hear the idea first…jk 🙂

Shannon, another suggestion for your “green theme” next year is Michael Furbish of Furbish Company Sustainable Building. Very knowledgeable about green roofs and green walls, especially on the construction and maintenance end of things.

Sounds like you have some great things planned for this year though, good work!

Here it us just on a corner of a building. I have often seen them on the corner of entrance piers, corner of garages, and also on corners of buildings that are not seperated from a driving surface. I believe they are functional to help protect whatever it is they are attached to. I believe I took this picture while walking around philly, so…[Read more]

Thanks Miles, I really like John’s outdor lanterns. It’s hard to find good quality work like that these days.

As a past LABash Chair, I would highly recommend sending students to Penn State this year! I have been to 4 LABashes and have loved them all. They always have great speakers, good workshops, and killer social events. Also, it is an amazing networking opportunity…I am still friends with people I met at my first LABash my sophomore year.

Well, I doubt that there is anyone really keeping track, so I think the best place to find out is by going to the source. Almost all the projects we do need some sort of permit, so, if you could get a hold of the county or district that the permit was passed the LA’s name will most likely be on that paperwork. And, from my understanding…permits…[Read more]

Chris, that would be great, thanks. Just wondering, did you set the clay pavers on concrete or just on sand/stonedust?

Personally, I would find it hard to justify going back to school for a certain major just so I would be more marketable when I came out. If you are interested in Architecture you should study architecture, if you are interested in the civil engineering side of LA then go that route. If you really love what you do, and do it well…the jobs will come.

Patrick,

Thanks for the post! I have been here since Wednesday night now (writing this in the coffee shop of Powell’s). I saw most of the city on Thursday including Tanner Springs Park. Did a tour of the Bridgeport Brewery, which was really awesome. Not only do they brew award winning beer…they do it sustainably!!! Last night we headed out to…[Read more]

Also, anyone have any suggestions of some must see things outside of the city? Lakes, Forests, Mountains, etc?

I think it would be tough to get a job in landscape architecture without a BLA not matter what the economy looks like. I would definitely continue on and get the MLA out of the way if you are pretty sure you want to get into the field.

This is something that I was just discussing with some of the seniors at the University of Maryland last week.

If I was in their position right now, I think I would definitely continue on to get my masters. I do not think, however, that it would be the smartest decision to get an MLA if you already have a BLA. So, I would consider doing something…[Read more]

Here is the article mentioned above: ‘We Need Slaves to Build Monuments’

I have to agree that the article is very moving, however, I have to agree more with Rico that the answer to the problem is not telling people not to work there. As Ghandi once said, “you have to be the change you want to see in the world.” If this is truly an issue that…[Read more]

Roger, are you feelings based on personal experience in Dubai? What in specific did you find so repulsive there?

Ed Snodgrass is your guy if you want someone to talk about green roofs. He is also a great presenter and has written some awesome books.

Shannon, I think Kevin Perry from Portland is an excellent speaker on urban storm water management. He has spoke at the last two ASLA Annual meetings and I have heard only good things about his presentations.