Mario Martin

Oona,
LEED has been growing extremely fast these couple of years, at least in California and the bay area. Clients, public and private, are becoming much more aware of LEED and are requesting that we follow the requirements whether they are or are not applying for accreditation on a project. About half of our office of 50 is now LEED certified.…[Read more]

Hi Doug,

Check out the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, at http://www.owue.water.ca.gov/. It is in the process of final revision and is set to go into effect January 2010. It outlines the services and responsibilities of CIDs.

The CID process is pretty involved with classes and tests and can take awhile to get certified. If…[Read more]

Doug,
Yes there is merit. I run a design build firm that does some bid build as well. Some of the irrigation ‘designs’ that come out of some other offices that we bid on don’t follow simple irrigation principles and spec antiquated equipment.
The IA certification (CID) is a good one. I became certified a few years ago. I am always up to date with…[Read more]

Hey everyone. I’d like to get your opinion. Does anyone see any merit in becoming certified in irrigation design? The IA offers courses and testing in irrigation design that we as landscape architects would be eligible to take. While there is a great irrigation knowledge base at my office, I feel like so much has changed over the years that I need…[Read more]

hi everyone, i just sign to this group. I have my own company here in UAE (Ajman) for (planning – designing – production – installation – construction) theme stages, wedding events, artificial rock work, fiberglass casting, mall decors, theme parks etc… check my profile i have lots of sample pictures of what my company has to offer. can anybody…[Read more]

Is anyone marketing “green building” or LEED more heavily these days?

Steve,
I just so happen to be installing a RainMaster Oasis, with 15 controllers and a Weather Center II, and will be completing installation of the controls this week. All seems to be going well with installation and configuration.

Let me know if you need any additional information. I can update you when system is up and running.

Regards,
Paul

Hello,
Has anyone spec’d or installed the Rainmaster Weather Center II on-site weather station? It looks like this is a weather station with some commercial qualities. I’m looking to spec. it in a urban community center project.

thanks,

steve

I’ve been aware of SSI but hadn’t seen their latest report. Go to: http://www.sustainablesites.org
You’ll find a link to the report on the first page. I must say, the “documentation” requirements suggested in this report read like an undergraduate studio assignment for a year-long class. My recent work on a small LEED project looks like a total of…[Read more]

Mark,
There is a website with an irrigation tutorial created by a landscape architect. It is a good overall primer for understanding the fundamentals of irrigation design. I’ve read through parts of it and find it easy to follow. Jess Stryker, the LA who wrote it, is also very humorous throughout making the subject a bit more engaging. Go to…[Read more]

Mark,
Are you looking to get into designing irrigation systems? If so, I would recommend taking a class that is taught by the Irrigation Association, or a local community college.

Hello, I’m looking for some education advice. How important is it to take an irrigation course? The LA program I’m in doesn’t offer anything regarding irrigation.

Has anyone seen a CA native develop over time? I’m interested in how native gardens survive in the real world of residencia. I’m using my own yard as a test, having just planted about 50 various species. They’re all infants right now, but I’m very excited to see how they grow,

Hello Chris,
In regards to your question about marketing at a home or trade show, I have some experience in this realm.
20 years ago I designed and installed a small intimate garden exhibit at the San Francisco Garden Show. I had just recently moved to the Bay area and wanted to open my own design practice.
The show was a success for me.
After 5…[Read more]

I’m trying to develop a specific contract for my firm’s LA work and am trying to find a good sample contract to model ours after.

Thanks!

Hi Bill,

Exactly, LandFx uses hatch patterns instead of trying to place the poly line around the shrubs, and calling out the emitters in the schedule. I think its much cleaner this way.

No it wont warn you of increased precip rates (we still have to use our brains as designers)…..

Yeah, it looks like a great time saver. Although anything is faster then the way I do it, so I’m probably no the best person to judge. Are you asking if you should draw in the spaghetti and/or the poly? Too much detail is a waste IMO. The contractor won’t follow it anyway. The hatch patterns look fine. You’ve called out the emitter size for each…[Read more]

Hello folks,

I have uploaded a sample drip plan that I designed using LandFx irrigation. (I’ve been using the software for 5 years now) I’d like to know what you think of the way LandFx handles drip irrigation. The page also explains how LandFx calcs the drip areas (its very cool.)

http://www.atomicirrigation.com/example_drip.html

mark

hey! i’m beginning to study the native trees of california. i live in NJ now, but come June moving to San Francisco. How is the LA job market out there? I was just laid-off here in Jersey.

Let’s discuss it over the phone as it’s better for Q&A situations. Call me at 801-295-5335 days and early evenings. I’m usually in, don’t leave message. Dave Racker, FASLA