Monica Francisco

Totally agree with boss Leo …
A lot of non-LA’s might think that they can do landscape design well in fact much of the things that they come up with is merely ‘land-escaping’ or “pseudo-landscape design”. I believe that the UP LArch Program made us understand (and sometimes forcibly hehe) the science behind what we are doing now and that most of…[Read more]

Helloooo!!! Where are the lady larchies???

Coming from my Boss, these are indeed insightful words. Hehe, mamam!

I agree with Paolo. There will never be a Version 2 of Hand Sketches.

It may be a small percentage of our current professional knowhow, but lessons learned in college were definitely the building blocks of my career.

I always go back to the basics: style design principles, bubbles and methodologies, in every design problem on hand. Design considerations change along with trends in aesthetics, amenities and…[Read more]

Eyahoo! Suyuin natin so Mon bumalik dito!!!

I know, the AD office was put up by EDAW Australia before they became an independent office. I’m actually contemplating of moving there dahil tax free, lalo na ngayon that the Aussie dollar has hit a 5 year low versus the US dollar. Baka magkitakits tayo next year.

Thanks for your output. Though this post should not be taken as “the close” in this discussion. Let’s make this a continued discussion. I’m truly hoping our Program staff would stumble into this in the future for their reference.

Curiously, I find the program as quite adequate (though I tend to agree with the need for exposure to actual practice…[Read more]

other points that the program i think is weak at: hardscape and construction, which i greatly think that an experience with a firm would help; and sketching, since it would be best if we could transfer our ideas into graphics. though as i understood now that there are programs encouraging students to learn / practice their free-hand drawing.

di…[Read more]

Being a UP grad really is an advantage since it’s an accredited University, but I agree with Paulo that actual training should be part of the curriculum like what they’re doing here. Students from their freshmen years get to experience working on real projects and get paid for it as well. By the time they finish their Uni, they usually get hired…[Read more]

Good point on part-time work, Paolo. There indeed are programs in US Universities when students take a year off to work in a firm prior to their senior year. FYI, the summer internship was the best possible option, ever, at 2001. The program, in fact, is pioneering for the College; BS Arch followed suit only around 2005.

Good probably if the…[Read more]

no doubt there, our LA program did contribute a lot, though it is still a small percentage of the knowledge we must have in order to become competitive in our field. nothing beats actual professional experience. don’t get me wrong, having a good foundation is essential in order for us to easily adapt to actual current practice in our country or…[Read more]

I think this has to be put up, with UP in its Centennial Year now. The UP philosophy in education serves us well, based on how well we’re doing around the globe; our turn to pay forward and let the others know we were/are: ISKOLARCHS!

Hi all, i’m from South Africa. Durban in particular, now living in Cape Town, studying MLA at University of Cape Town finish in 2010 when the soccer starts. it’s going to be massive. Come visit us, cmon you know you wanna!!!

The greatest designer is normal people—the best cities in the world were not designed.

Maybe I shouldn’t greatest designer cause it is very subjective….How about who is your favorite designer……I would have to Jeffery Gordon Smith is a pretty great designer….He is a member of our group…You should check out his work…..

Very nice! I thought I was the greatest designer on the planet…..hehehehehe…j/k….

I will say…..Burle Marx maybe…..

Who is the greatest designer of all time besides the obvious answer of Olmsted….?

For me great design is:
1. Creating memory places
2. Creating a sense of place (genus loci)
3. Guardian of identity
4. Interest of users health, safety and welfare
What Mack mentioned is true for me as one who has had the experience on both sides, as the one to experience and admire and the one to create

Something that moves people, makes them stop and think “I wish I could do that, But even though I can’t… I am glad some one did it for me.”