[Phillip J Hutchinson]

I am happy.

Happy with my choice of profession, happy to have a job, happy to have clients that actually pay. I am not happy with certain aspects of the profession, such as our professional standing amongst other allied professions (i.e. Architects and Engineers). I am not happy with the LEED process, ASLA’s inability to recognize, react or acknowledge a brutal downturn in our profession or with the state-by-state licensing process.

Overall, I am very happy.

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

An update on this project:
I have done a ton of research into rainwater harvesting systems, read several books (including Design for Water… which is a great resource) and talked to many different tank/infiltration system manufacturers.

We are more than likely going to use a modular catchment system (Aquablox, EcoRain, Atlantis D-raintank). This type of system can be much flatter and spread out than a typical poly tank, and won’t become an issue with a high water table. Also, since it is modular, the tank itself doesn’t have to be square. We plan to connect the downspouts to the tank, using a first flush divert and a sediment filter. The first flush will go into bioswales and then infiltrate back into the tank, and the sediment filter will make the tank essentially maintenance free (we are including a maintenance clean-out access on the tank just in case).

The tank itself will only be around 18″ in depth, and we’re planning on around 3′-0″ of soil cover with plantings on top of that. (Probably around 18″ of planting mix, then a layer of granular to allow infiltration, separated by fabric)

It’s been an interesting experience learning about the different systems and issues affecting rainwater harvesting. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions here, they were quite helpful. I’ll post another update when the design is finalized, and possibly a few installation photos this summer when the system is being installed.

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

I am working on a rainwater harvesting system for a residential client that includes bioswales/infiltration and water-reuse. The client is seeking LEED platinum status for his project.
Also, I am working on several streetscape projects that are including stormwater initiatives that include bioswales and permeable paving.
Additionally, my firm is working on a public school that will feature rain gardens/bioswale areas with interactive signage that teaches kids about stormwater management.

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

David,
My thought is that the bioswale would filter sediment, contaminants and debris that may have collected on the rooftops between rain events. After doing a little more research, a first-flush bypass valve seems to address this and so it may only be necessary to direct that first-flush into a bioswale while allowing any stormwater runoff after that to go directly into the underground tank.

The general concept of filtering stormwater runoff is to ensure that any water leaving the site and entering the municipal system is cleaner than it would be if it just flowed from roof too sewer. The client will use the stored water for irrigation of both landscape plants and a vegetable/herb garden, and the water will be conveyed through a hand pump, so eliminating sediment, contaminants and debris is advantageous to this.

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

To be sure, employers are getting used to seeing lots of resumes with “gaps” on them right now. Some may see it as a negative, but I think most realize that some really talented and hardworking LA’s have been laid off in the last year or two.

I think the only bad way to handle this on a resume is to try and hide it. Be upfront, list your career positions with dates. If your most recent position ended 18 months ago, then list that date. If you’ve had a non-LA job during your time of unemployment, I’d list it as your most current, but I wouldn’t use much space explaining the position unless it actually relates to LA work. Just list the dates of employment and save the space for more relevant info.

If you’ve done any volunteering, obtained certifications, attended seminars, done any free-lance work during your unemployment, learned new software, etc. then be sure to list it somewhere on your resume and include dates. (I have a section below my employment history where I list “activities and credentials” and list 6-8 items with dates) While this isn’t the same as employment, many employers will see these items and get a better idea of what you’ve been up to lately.

I don’t think you need to be really in-your-face about the unemployment gap. I would let your resume speak for itself, and use space in your cover letter to explain why you’re a good fit for a particular position, rather than talking about what you’ve done while unemployed. The topic will come up in the interview, and that is when you really need to have some good answers to explain what you’ve been up to for the last 18 months.

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

Good thoughts Miles, and I appreciate the counterpoints. I think the main goal (aside from checking the LEED boxes for water-reuse) of the system is to provide non-potable water for use in gardening as well as reducing the burden on the municipal stormwater system. We may use automated irrigation for part of the landscaping, so I’d like to at least explore that possibility.

As Mike mentioned below, a first flush bypass into a bioswale, and then a direct connection from rooftop to the cistern sounds like it would be adequate for filtration. Directing all of the runoff into bioswales probably isn’t necessary, and may actually create drainage concerns during big storms.

I will look for the book, or order it online. Sounds like it’ll answer a lot of my questions.

Thanks!

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

Thanks for the resources guys.
The tank I’m designing needs to hold 850-1000 gallons, and I’m thinking it’ll probably polyethylene though it could possibly be built out of concrete. I’m assuming I’ll have to bury it so the top is 42″ below grade to avoid any freeze/thaw issues in Chicago.

My plan is to have the roof drains discharge into planted bioswale areas, allowing the water to infiltrate through that medium and into a perforated drain tile underneath that then discharges into the underground cistern. Above grade there would be a smaller decorative cistern with a hand pump that can be filled with water from the underground storage tank so the homeowner can do some hand irrigation when needed. The underground tank will have an overflow connection to the public sewer system, and also a slow and controlled discharge into the sewer that empties 3/4 of the tank over a period of time so it acts as detention during storm events. (I’m assuming that the homeowner isn’t going to need 850 gallons for watering plants between rains, so ultimately that water has to go back into the sewer system but it’ll be cleaner and not add to the volume during storms).

A few more specific questions:
Is there a concern about the integrity of the underground tank if it is completely empty?
What kind of maintenance access do I need for the tank? (i.e. man hole, or a hand sized hole?)
Is there any need to design a system that allows for a “first flush” to go directly into the stormwater sewer, to avoid lots of contaminants/debris/pollutants?
What can be on top of the buried tank? Walkways and planting? (It’s in a back yard, so there won’t be vehicular loads)

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

I love some of Halprin’s work, and I am sad to hear of his passing.

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

It’s been a few years since I took the exams, but I don’t recall any questions about specific plant material. There were a handful of general questions regarding plant types and placement, but I would’ve been seriously stressed if they were popping in scientific names and asking for answers that included specific plant types.

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

Calamagrostis x ‘Karl Foerster’ looks great, but can get quite tall in some cases.

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

Yes, I have an issue with it as well.
One way to solve it is to require people to be licensed before becoming full ASLA members. AIA does this, and it eliminates the confusion on what AIA stands for when you see it after someone’s name.

Of course, licensure is not a nationally recognized thing in our profession yet, so inevitebly there will be people who live/practice in states that have no need to obtain a license, but want to be a part of ASLA.

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

There was a story on NPR about Dubai’s economy today. They echoed many of the sentiments in the NYTimes story, but also pointed out that some of the figures (such as the reports of thousands of cars abandoned at the airport) are exaggerated.

The bottom line is that the situation in Dubai is bad. Foreigners who become unemployed only have a short time to find work before they are forced to leave Dubai, and like Ajayan PV said, lots of projects are on hold and getting shelved. Dubai’s economy revolves largely around tourism, and tourism is hurting across the globe right now.

Interesting that just 6 months ago or so, getting work in Dubai seemed to be all the rage for LA’s here in the US. The firm I worked for was bending over backwards trying to get their name attached to projects going on there, in hopes that they could get more Dubai work in the future. Now, all that work has dried up (for the time being, anyway). It seems that firms counting on Dubai work to keep them afloat during this recession may be now realizing that won’t be happening.

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

It’s ugly out there right now, but I’m not sure there’s anything specific about our field that makes it any more prone to economic hardships and layoffs than other professions.

What’s happening right now has hit builders, developers and the construction industry in particular very hard. Clients can’t get loans to start/complete projects so the entire industry (including Architecture, Engineering, MEP, etc.) is feeling the pinch, not just residential either. Public municipalities are still spending the money they have, but budgets will shrink for next year as foreclosures rise, and tax bases are reduced.

As for your other questions, assuming good economic times you can make a decent living as a Landscape Architect. Like any design profession, the hours worked are a direct result of client demands and your drive to succeed. All-nighters should be the exception, not the norm, but in my experience (and I’ve only been at this for about 8 years) the best LA’s rarely make it a 9-5 job and are willing to put in some extra effort to ensure a quality and timely product.

Hope that helps.

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

I have found that holding a CLARB certification (not required for Illinois) in addition to a license in my home state is a benefit to potential employers who may be seeking someone licensed in multiple states. I don’t have to pay to keep multiple licenses current, but still have the ability to easily get a license in another state if the need arises.

I think that the hoops you have to jump through to get the initial CLARB certification are easier to do immediately after passing the test, rather than trying to go back years later and track down former employers, test scores, transcripts, etc. Unfortunately, beyond holding the certificate and having it on my resume, I get no other value out of the services that CLARB offers, and dealing with their office staff has at times been rather frustrating.

[Phillip J Hutchinson]

Since becoming a registered landscape architect, I have always used “ASLA” on business cards and stationary. Using the “ASLA” designation implies both license/registration and promotes membership within our professional association. When I see someone else use “ASLA” or call themselves a “landscape architect” I generally assume that they are licensed.

The designation “RLA” is more descriptive in that only a registered LA can use it regardless of membership status with ASLA, but it is also less recognizable to associated professions who may not be familiar with LA license requirements.

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