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Yes, thanks for the comments Gregory.

It’s refreshing to get an experienced Architect’s perspective in here for a change.
It’s funny. I keep a regular eye on Archinect.com as well. There was recently a thread entitled something like, “What Other Artists/Designer’s Interest You?”

I thought it was pretty telling that in probably 30 responses, not…[Read more]

Believe it or not, the last few project we worked on here we designed and drafted the entire site plan independently of the civil, basically only to hand off our linework during CD’s. They took our cad linework and put it on their layers, graded everything, had a meeting about detention and off-site and offf to bid it went. We design the parking…[Read more]

civils have control of the site?

we usually have control of the site over the civil. certainly the civil takes the lead on some issues, mostly off site. I have worked in offices with civils and some in which we worked under the civil and it was aweful. It’s just a more natural process moving from architecture to engineering. In my mind its like…[Read more]

I agree, regardless of level of experience.

Your other posts kind of sounded to me like you were saying there should be a specific time limit on when someone can start participating in ‘the discussion.’ I don’t necessarily think that’s true as a rule.

I’m still not sure there really is any way to say there is a specific way things are all over.…[Read more]

In terms of experience, I would have agreed with you a few months ago regarding the comment that,’more experience is better than no experience,’ but now I might say that the only thing worse than no experience is lots of really bad experience.

I think in this discussion, the ‘senior group’ is presuming a lot more about ‘the juniors’ than vice versa. Maybe that’s part of the problem?

It has nothing to do with shame Tim.

Andrew,

Your comment is a little hard to follow. I’m not sure this really has anything to do with having an ‘inferiority complex’ or even ego.

Can you clarify?

A former boss of mine got so frustrated with this that he went to the Howard Univerisity School of Architecture and developed a site planning course for architects. He taught it for 20 years. It was very well rec’d and I am not sure why more architects are not taught site planning. They seem to enjoy it.

Hopefully for the same reasons more…[Read more]

Sure, I get that.

I think most of us in this situation, however inexperienced, understand that there are some constraints out of our control or beyond our understanding that we just need to accept. I think the primary issue at hand is the working relationship between a manager and designer. It’s just as unconstructive when a senior partner or…[Read more]

Is it too much to ask for the lead or project manager to communicate those constraints?

I think when we’re talking about design we tend to get caught up in taking ourselves and our titles a little too seriously. I think we forget that ideas still have validity whether they come from an intern or partner. You said this yourself, Rob.

What becomes truly frustrating, as I think Mandy is alluding, is when an idea is killed based solely…[Read more]

I think we should advertise ourselves as SITE architects, rather than simply landscape. Its been an uphill battle all the way.

I actually agree with you on that, but we should probably try to avoid getting back into that discussion : )

I have less ‘office’ experience than you perhaps even though with my residential design experience while in school and prior to school I probably have more like a decade of ‘professional experience,’ but what I can offer is this; I interned at two large (40+) offices while in school and now work at a two person operation (my boss and I).

In my…[Read more]

I think lately more than ever perhaps people, especially the truly middle class, are beginning to see the hampster wheel for what it is.

I can’t place blame on anyone or any specific thing directly for ‘keeping me down,’ but certainly in this economic climate the separation between classes is ever more apparent. From my own personal experience I…[Read more]

Perhaps you could narrow your search by asking yourself what it is specifically you feel is missing. There are lots of good books out there on business, investing, design, management, and construction. Perhaps a degree in Landscape design/arch is not necessarily what you need.

Everyone was far more independent and free back then. I’ve been to many of the estates, and it always impresses me how much these guys actually did. There are no modern day equivalents, not even close. I feel very lucky to live where I do so I can see all of this historical stuff just a few miles down the road.

Do you think this is because we are…[Read more]

It takes all the energy I can muster to put my head down and go to work, literally and figuratively these past few weeks.

It’s Summer, the economy is worse than ever, I’m underemployed, the middle class is in an uproar, the ocean is dying and all I want to do is play in the mountains.

I also own(ed) a Dell for five years–Inspiron 8600. It worked fantastically and still does. My girlfriends Sony went bye-bye a few years ago.

I agree completely.

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.