nca

Sure, I think you could argue that the govt has indirectly subsidized the real estate and housing construction industry for some time. I agree that the government or the American popular culture encourages and sometimes incentivizes home-buying and growth away from urban centers. Bu I think this is a bigger and separate issue.

I dont necessarily…[Read more]

I think there are lots of different types of ‘parks’ or public space whether the context is more urban or less developed. A National Park in the United States, for example, might rely almost entirely on its geographic location and natural features to draw users, whereas a community park in an urban neighborhood might vary more greatly in terms of…[Read more]

I think it all depends on where youre at in your career and whether you have ‘free’ access to the board or not.

agreed.

I had my resume on there for probably a year with no emails or calls. I see NR’s point, but I also see the point in at least having a spot there for exposure. If someone sees your name on the first page there, then does a google search and brings up your website and land 8 profile they might be interested in contacting you. Otherwise, it is a…[Read more]

I concur, but like you said Jim I think it definitely depends on who you work for both in terms of the project manager, principal in charge, firm, or client. I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of doffierent digital graphics as an intern, but rarely, if ever can I remember breaking out a pen and meticulously ‘drafting’ a perspective, plan, or…[Read more]

Zach-

Try looking at each drawing as an adventure and learning exercise and not a masterpiece. Each time I start a sketch theres always a little internal pressure. I don’t want to mess up that pretty white page. But I look at each sketch like a chance to learn one new thing about drawing and/or the thing or place I’m drawing and how to see. For…[Read more]

The point of adding this topic is to draw out some new ideas on urbanism, not necessarily to endorse any one philosophy, NU included.

For the most part Allan I agree with you. I think the planning priciples of NU are generally good ideas as ONE answer to suburban sprawl

As far as people driving to shop and dine in a nu community- I dont think…[Read more]

I have been under the assumption that land architecture is both an art + science. There should be a balance of both scientific objectivity in practice and craft as well as a good portion of artisitic subjectivity and integrity. Granted, the latter in most cases probably won’t win you a clients allegience.

I’ve seen an array of different business…[Read more]

Industrial design..I’m jealous. If only I could do it all over again.

I don’t consider NU a replacement for metropolitan area. It’s an answer to suburban sprawl, not urban infill.

Are you talking about urban growth boundaries? If that’s the case I can attest to that not really working for areas like the Colorado Front Range. GMA’s still allow one town to grow to the edge of the next rural community.

Ben-

Feel free to call me an idiot if you feel so inclined..I don’t mind. I’m trying to get a good, heated discussion going on urban planning. I played this topic on an architecture forum and it’s gone on and on, really good discussion, so I was hoping to plant the seed here and get a more focused landscape perspective.

As much as I enjoyed a…[Read more]

Stapleton, yes the parkway planting is the best thing that projects got going for it in my opinion. Otherwise, I think the scale feels just huge and the parkway itself makes it feel even less walkable and disjointed in my opinion. I actually like *some* of the architecture though.

What about a TND that is 60 miles plus from the nearest major urban center?

I agree. I think the planning principles of NU are going in a very good direction. Asked the same question, architects tend to respond more to the architectural styling which they mostly detest rather than the planning.

With regard to greenfield development I’ll give you…[Read more]

Jim-

Have you been checking the government postings as well as craigslist, ASLA, and Land8?

I saw an opening for a NPS Landscape Architect, but I was underqualified to apply. I’ve been seeing some ads come up on craigs list sporadically. Granted, the craigslist jobs aren’t always the best gigs, but it’s something.

I also keep my folio ‘friends only’ now. I’ve gotten myself in some trouble in the past regarding sharing (too much) information via a public forum. Land8 googles very well.

NR and Alec-

I see your point and think it’s valid, but I also think humor can be an effective way to detach from a topic we might find ourselves so close to. I think an intellectually stimulating, yet accessible, and most importantly, objective publication written from the point of view of active practitioners and those on the cutting edge of…[Read more]

Alec,

It sounds like a good project. I’ll be interested to see how it materializes. I like the tongue-in-cheek humor..looking forward to more of this. We could all use a little ‘loosening up’ I think.

I think there’s going to be a lot to learn.

I think LA’s will need to work harder to quantify their services while holding on to the less tangible nature of the ‘craft.’ Someone more experienced than I told me yesterday that at the current state of the practice it take on average 5-10 years for the typical landscape designer/architect to learn…[Read more]

Thats pretty much what I was saying.

I dont think it’s a ‘huge’ detriment because plenty of ‘us’ prefer to practice this way, but I think it does tend to ‘disparage’ the wealth of capability of the profession..which ultimately affects the public more than fashion design (‘project runway’ et al).