mark foster

Landscape urbanism? Huh?  From what I read, it’s just a sugar coated landscape architecture pill.
 
The Play:  Bill and Ted’s most excellent Architecture. 
Opening Scene:  2 architecture students are at studio,  talking 
 
“This new urbanism stuff really sucks–I’m sick of straight lines and circles”.  
” Yeah, it’s all like flat too.  I think…[Read more]

Hi Jonathon. 
RE: “Evan a different way of finishing them”
Two ideas:. 
1.  You may look into 4 x 6’s. (they are widely available here, hopefully there too)  I like look of the thinner 3 1/2″ dimension on the tread, and they are comparable in performance at this scale. 
2. For a little more money:   Add a 2″ x whatever to the top and canitlever…[Read more]

Your bosses have figured what they can get away with, and they are evidently the kind of people who will continue to do so until they can”t.  Your “temporary” salary and job conditions are now long term.  If you cannot stomach this, my advice is to keep this job but begin looking for another one immediately.  
Reasoning, demanding one’s right…[Read more]

Thanks Andrew and Tanya.
Andrew– “Basic” and “available job” is right on.  
Tanya– I believe preparing for,and passing, the GED is a core part (maybe a requirement) of both programs.  That said, there is a work component–the participants work on various projects out in the community.  
 

Thanks Dennis,
Walpole looks promising, although they work with vinyl which I have been unimpressed with.  Still, I may not have seen it done well.  Thanks again.  M

Thanks Andrew–last entry nailed it.

Good point Jonothon. There is a certain psychology involved when establishing worth, even with side jobs.  
Do you want clients to think that your time is expensive and you are worth every penny, or that you are a great deal and cheap?  And what do you want them to say when they recomend you to others?
If you prefer to be thought of as expensive…[Read more]

A lot of questions!  I will give a partial answer to three:
 Is residential any more viable or any less viable than other types of practices currently?
What clients are actually hiring LAs as individuals or firms?
What, if any, clients prefer to avoid LAs and why?
Based on my experience, I believe design build firms will continue to dom…[Read more]

I love this site–where else can you get so passionate about mulch?! 
Concerning tree rings, I think we are talking about a temorary condition (first few years) and a long term one.  A mulched tree ring may be necessary on a recently planted tree so you don’t come out and find the new tree listing at a 45 degree angle strangly in the direction of…[Read more]

Great article–especially the aesthetics of it, which is the LA’s forte.    Getting a better spec at intiial installation will mean less chance of it showing up later.   I take exception with the “not to hard to mow around the tree” comment, because it must be–I have seen a lot of string trimmer damage and bad mower aim, especially on younger…[Read more]

Congratulations Jon, and I’m glad things are looking up for you guys, Heather
From the small business-owner side of things (residential/commercial): 2010 was a pretty good year–a livable profit and a few portfolio pieces.. 2011 looks better.
Overall, clients seem more comfortable with “where they are” financially, and are ready to spend again.…[Read more]

Thanks Jennifer. 

Russell:  a denial without a reason is not an apology, or an explanation of a

misperception. 
Agree or disagree with me, but don’t get personal…..

Sorry, I already got slammed for offering an opinion.

At the risk of another personal attack (assuming your remark was aimed at me Russell?)
Artists have been doing studio and gallery co-ops for a long time.  You may want to look into how these are constructed-business wise.  Not exactly the same, but maybe similar enough.  I know they usually charge a flat monthly fee (ala Tanya), and a pe…[Read more]

Great one!….Yeah, my job is to gleen the appropriate elements of the style which will honestly translate to here, and avoid an out of context abomination.  Fortunately the clients are well aware of the difference between the two..
Thanks for the quote–I will definately be using it.. It reminds of a conversation I had years ago with a client who…[Read more]

Well said Andrew.  There is a huge divide between a hobby/learning experience and a profession. 
There is also the fact that of all the design professions, LA is probably the least adaptive to remote design.  Unlike interior designers and architects who work with climate controlled spaces on flat planes, we work with natural elements on slopes–…[Read more]

Jonathon–If money is not a consideration, you should have no trouble finding work!    My pro bono work comes from local groups (Youth Build, E-Corp, local neighborhood councils, etc), but if you want to work in a broader context, NGO’s (non government organizations) may be the way to go.  Lots of folks need our expertise who can’t afford it.  It’…[Read more]

New urbanism, in all it’s incomplete and watered down forms is still better than a cul de sac suburb–especially from the “social interaction” side of things.  The biggest problem I see with the watered down versions is the open space is not adequate–a few flat lawn areas.  Even the open space is urbanist!  No real access to the natural world…[Read more]

I think the largest difference between the younger generations and the older ones is student loan debt.  Student loans were rare in my day, so you had to work your way through and/or go to a lesser (cheaper) college.  I am very thankful for not having the opportunity to borrow large sums of money at such a young age. 
 
It was hard to get thro…[Read more]