mark foster

Interesting question Anne,
During ideation, I tend to go to books first, and then web.  I go to web first and then books for illustrations/samples.
But, I am of a pre-web age, so I have collected lots of reference over the years.  I think you will find a real age divide on this question.

Have you borrowed $ to get your BSLA, and are you going to borrow more $ to get an MLA?   

Ha!  How about MOLF.  Master Of Low Pay….I have study materials and they are only $ 1,200 for the complete course…..
 

trace–
My first post was not a total jest.  My second post, (the bad spelling post) was a total jest.  Condemn me for a poor attempt at humor, but slow down the “it symbolizes the anit-academic ocean that has swept our society” train.
I did not offer the first post as a criticism of academics or learning.  It was an attempt to present this id…[Read more]

Plus, the question is not “if you were rich”, it’s “unlimited start-up capitol”–which means you have to create something which is economically viable–not just a great hobby.
And why buy a firm in which you are not going to do anything!   Would you treat it like an ant farm or sea monkeys and watch it grow? Would you rename it Chia-Firm?
And j…[Read more]

I hav nothn bad to say abowt mi teechers–thay tot me reel gud lanskap arkitectyur

The thing that bothers me about this:
I have hired people without explanation.. I have fired people without explanation. I have taken profits from my company and I don’t feel a bit bad about it.   There are lots of things an employer does not need to explain. 
But when you start slashing employees’ pay and asking for free overtime–you have ju…[Read more]

Ohhh, concierge landscape architecture.  Excellent! 
I love this thread–it’s like everyone’s dreams are mine too… Tell me–on St Barts?
 

Thomas–my better nature says option “a”.
My dark inner monkey says “mess with they minds”.
 

I love Tom’s world.  Also agree with Craig–it is a sickening feeling to see your work abused or abandoned.  Too bad we can’t prosecute for landscape abuse.
I would start an intensive  post-BLA work/study program which taught what an LA going into private practice really needs to know:     how things are built and why they fail, consequences…[Read more]

Hi Alex,
My advice is to set a reasonable flat fee for the plan based on the size of the project, and then forget the hours.  Seeing your work get built is invaluable experience, and you have the luxury of zero overhead costs. 
You may also want to keep in mind that what takes you 10 hours to accomplish now will probably only take 3 or 4 with a fe…[Read more]

We used to call that a “visual swindle” in college.  Beautiful 2D, didn’t work in 3. 

“Is it possible to have a plan view that is striking as a composition but a poor scheme?”  Yes–any new urbanist project on hilly ground
“is it possible to have an unattractive layout in plan view yet have it be a wonderful space on foot?”  Yes– historic Greece, Italy, London, my back yard.

 
To expand on Mark’s point:  the “pondless waterfall” people have done a lot with this concept, and we have used this technology on several rainwater storage projects. Here’s another type of pump chamber to look at:  http://www.savio.cc/pond-products/C55/  . 
The advantages to an aggregate filled system is the stone provides a lot of mechanica…[Read more]

Andrew,
You can solve the “thin stone” issue by adhering the stone to concrete– even in “dry lay” solutions, this can work if you get the process right.  Too many geeky discussions about it, but we have done it. 
Mark

Great tactic BZ 
There is vast pent-up demand by those who need what we do, but who may never call an established firm.  Best thing you can do is think like the people who need our expertise, instead of thinking like the ones who hire us.
A lot of discussions revolve around the (ever shrinking) traditional architect/civil/developer market–…[Read more]

Great idea!

BZ– I’m pretty sure the states run the insurance, so it varies.  It usually costs more when you start out and gets less expensive after you have been around for a year or two–insurance companies like to have a track record.  E&O insurance is a specialty, but any insurance agent should be able to give a referral. 
It sound like you have positi…[Read more]

Jonathon,
The info you requested is on my folio page –“my pictures” (I couldn’t get it to size appropriately here). 
I also included some photos of  material options to timbers which we have done.  There is an explanation of all on my comment wall.  Let me know when you have seen them, so I can take them down (especially the embarassing sect…[Read more]

I was afraid you would ask that!!!  The good news- yes, I do.  The bad news- it is from awhile ago, a photo, in a box, somewhere.    May take some time, but I will get you something .