[Nate Hommel]

Update for me, My company is still at reduced hours (VERY reduced) but today I started an Adjunct Professor gig at Philadelphia University teaching Urban Design Studio! I could not have asked for a better gift! I hear that my company is about to pick back up maybe in September or October, finally some new jobs starting up and some dormant jobs seem to be coming back to life.

I have been pretty negative about the outlook here in the Delaware Valley, most firms are on reduced hours, lots of layoffs. My firm is down to 2 LA’s, but for the first time in 2 years it seems that we may start to rebound towards the end of 2010

[Nate Hommel]

I generally try to keep things like politics and religion at home and I try very hard to not discuss those topics in the work place or in the field. You just never know who you are going to encounter, but there are times where you can let your views stand out. If you have a good relationship with a client/coworker/contractor then it might be appropriate. I am heavily involved with client and contractor communication and these topics come up often, I either skate around them or just listen and subtly change the subject.

[Nate Hommel]

I just want to use the response by Terry DeWan as a great example of what an amazing resource Land8 has become. The fact that people take time out of their days to assist others who they likely have never met, is just amazing.

I agree with several of the comments and will also stress the value of showing Process. Thumbnail sketches, even quick dirty sections, or a site analysis done in the field. If I were reviewing a portfolio I would expect to see good technical skills, (which you clearly possess) and I believe that you need to show that in order to get your foot in the door. The key is for me to understand how you think, showing process gives the reviewer that opportunity.

And 3-30-3 is excellent advice!

[Nate Hommel]

I’m curious about where others get their ideas from, but for me I read as much as possible. By reading as much as I can get my hands on, things have a way of popping into my head. My desk is surrounded by reference books, my home library is also pretty well stocked. I try to read theory based books, “picture books”, technical books, etc. You never know when something you read today can help you later on.

And I don’t leave the house without my Moleskine!

[Nate Hommel]

Gregory –

I was intrigued by this statement “We also had to ‘lend’ two employees to a larger firm in town for several months – basically they hired them from us for just their direct costs (salary, insurance, etc.) They were still on our payroll, etc. and we eventually brought them back over. ”

To me, this sounds like a brilliant idea. It also sounds like you have established a top notch work environment and your employees must have a great deal of respect for you and your partners.

Does anyone else have experience or know of others that have tried the “Lending” idea? What are the logistics, or more directly how do you approach another firm with this idea? It does seem that this could work well in larger cities (such as Philadelphia where I am located). Very interesting.

I am curious what others think about this concept.

[Nate Hommel]

I really enjoyed your latest post. I agree with the others that it is as much about diversity as it is about eradicating groundcovers from the LA plant pallet. I have found that in recent years many institutional and developer clients are more and more willing to see more perennials and meadows rather than huge expanses of lawn and groundcover.

[Nate Hommel]

Kevin –

Villanova University has done extensive research on pervious concrete. They have a substantial amount of information on this site http://egrfaculty.villanova.edu/public/Civil_Environmental/WREE/VUSP_Web_Folder/PC_web_folder/PC_main.html

I have visited the campus to take a look at the product and came away feeling that it is not a good material. That is my opinion mainly due to the appearance (unlike pervious asphalt, pervious conc. looks very much like a mistake….though if you can be creative with your use of patterns that might help). They have problems with the aggregate coming loose and causing a tripping hazard, again this is spelled out on that site.

Good luck

[Nate Hommel]

So any more info on that book? I need all the help I can get, I’m 0-3 on Section E….losing a lot of money on this section of the exam…..is it worth $50 more?

[Nate Hommel]

Well it helps to be married to a Dr, so I’m fortunate there. But I would rather be underemployed than UNemployed, that way I keep my healthcare and don’t have to be the new guy in a firm. It seams we are not on a bell curve but a W curve as experts seem to be saying. My firm has not received a new commission in 6+ months and the projects I’m working on are finishing up and have been around for years.

[Nate Hommel]

I’m one of the few still standing at my firm. Have been on 32 hours for 48 weeks now and had to do 6 weeks of furlough last November and December. Does not seem to be getting any better, my company just announced that they may reduce us to 24 hours from May to August. This is very hard for me, we have a 6 month old girl who has changed everything for me and my wife! I have been able to manage at 32 hours but 24 will not work. If anyone knows of any openings in Philadelphia for 8 years experience send me a message.

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