Pablo Mendoza

That’s fantastic to know USGBC is taking SiTES seriously. Alot of fellow designers have been very concerned about how SITES and LEED will integrate or if any integration will take place at all!?!?! There are so many great things about SITES that it would be a shame for LEED to miss. Thanks for the note, Heather!

Hey Folks! Just a quick note to say hello and introduce myself. After completing the 2009 report, I resigned as project manager of the Sustainable Sites Initiative to pursue other opportunities and spend more time with my 7 month old son. I am currently working with the USGBC as a subject matter expert to incorporate portions of the Sustainable…[Read more]

Hello, I’m new here and I want to learn all about the sketch up, I wish to report and utilized, greetings and respects to you

Just a general recommendation… it is best to ask your questions in the group forum rather than in the comment box.

If you haven’t read Daniel’s book, it is THE place to learn. Other sources will help you learn the basics of SketchUp, but this book demonstrates the techniques and workflow that LA’s can use. Thanks for writing it Daniel!

Great idea starting this group!
I’ve read Daniel Tal’s book, and it is very helpful in breaking down the process of creating efficient 3D models. This group should be a good place to share ideas and learn new tips.

thank you for the invite. check out georgepartridge.com!

thanks a lot Ben…I would practice your guidelines

Daniel – Thanks for inviting me. I am an avid user of SketchUp. I have learned quite a bit from your You Tube demonstrations. I have not bought your book yet, but I think I am on my way of making SketchUp work for site design.

Oops, Daniel’s book!

Hi All,

Thanks for inviting me to be part of this Group. I run a similar Group on http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com over in the UK and return the invite to you all if you want to join us too (we have about 31 members at the moment).

I received Dabiel’s book as an xmas present but must admit that I have not gotten to reading it yet.

Below is an…[Read more]

Ashley- In urban settings, supplemental irrigation is advantageous for the summer-dry months. Specifically, I’ve used inline subsurface drip. Quality growing medium like compost is important too, along with mycorrhizal fungi applications to help plants thrive through root establishment. Some native plant material I have used are: Juncus…[Read more]

does anyone know how rain gardens thrive in the Bay Area? I am wondering because right now, its the rainy season, so everything is getting a lot of water – but when it is summer and dry, how do the plants in the rain garden get their water? What plants do you suggest putting in the rain garden?

Hello all
For those of you in the San Fran Bay Area registration for the tour of East Bay native plant gardens just opened. Went last year, will go again this year. http://www.BringingBacktheNatives.net

Thanks much to Chad and Charles. Are there specific details that you used, or did you just design your own details for each specific site? I’m going to look at SSI and see if there are any parking lots in their case studies; looking for pictures of good examples to show client that it can look good as well as earn them LEED credits!

Naomi-
If 6″ curbs are a must, explore the possibility of using curb cuts at regular intervals or where it makes sense….the cuts will still allow runoff to enter the depression. Clay soils? Maybe grade soil towards a central trench/basin filled with gravel. Put an underdrain at the bottom of the gravel and follow Charles’ suggestion of piping…[Read more]

Naomi
We have done quite a few parking lots with the planting islands as depressed catchment areas. Most of the time we have to plumb them together to get rid of the water as infiltration is not good. One problem I have seen is that these areas tend collect litter and looks bad unless cleaned oftern.

I just took a little Green Associate Review the week before last as part of training for BPI (Building Performance Institute) certification. I plan to take the GA test within the next few weeks, so I’ll post how it goes.

Anyone have a good detail/case study for using planting islands as small stormwater catchment areas? This is for the northeast, and the parking lot will most likely have standard curbs, but if there’s another idea… Just getting started on the project, but excited about the possibilities. Thanks!

Has anyone taken the LEED Green Associate exam? Please share your exam experience.