Rob Halpern

“Brenneisen also found that many sedum roofs have minimal positive effects on storm water retention, energy use, or the urban climate — core arguments that have been used to justify the implementation of green roofs. ”

He is well known for promoting biodiversity aspects of green roofs. But it is thios part of his report that is troubling.

Chris,
http://www.architectureweek.com/2007/1107/environment_1-2.html

My first thought is about the sedum:
Depending on the species, they will not likely survive repeated flooding. Depends of course on how much water they are expected to put up with.

Secondly, sedum – unlike reeds and other wetland species – are not likely to do much to clean the water. You refer to “water quality” so I’m assuming this is the…[Read more]

Why not fragrance?
Indeed, why not sound? …like the rustling/clacking of large bamboo in a breeze

I don’t know if it is depressing or merely noteworthy that the pictures on the 10,000 Rain Gardens site show some pretty dismal “gardens”

Also…
The High Desert is very different from the Mid-Atlantic in many ways. But a good plantsman should be able to do the homework and adjust.
And the soils will be quite different as well. Not only the water issues, but the soils themselves. But you can learn that, too, if you apply yourself to it.

Perhaps not made any easier as more employees postpone retirement later and later. It’s not just the partners who might be forty or fifty years older than you, but the other associates as well.

Of course, the issue remains, does this shed any light on Mandy’s original question about landscape architects being at the mercy or architects?

Do…[Read more]

Mandy,

I think you have hit on one of the important points. I have also been watching these commentaries on how different generations may (or may not) work together and I’ll confess I am curious to see how it plays out. There is nothing new in young people being passionate, idealistic and believing they have all the answers. Or believing that…[Read more]

Mandy and Nick,

Points taken, and good ones, too
.
And your comments take my thoughts to a different direction:
As I have said before on this Forum, I am a Horticulturist and not a L.A.
I attend conferences where the horticulturists and grounds managers spend the time griping about the L.A.s who do not listen to what they bring to the table and…[Read more]

Mandy,

For what it’s worth:
1. Your boss has to concern herself with keeping the company alive. It’s understandable that in your chair risk taking seems more acceptable

2. As others have written here, getting the respect of team leaders and other professionals is something one earns from their track record. After 2 1/2 years of practice you will…[Read more]

Seems like it can be found for far less.
In the meantime, test drive it!

http://books.google.com/books?printsec=frontcover&id=4Toh06XEqMoC#v=onepage&q&f=false

Of course there are fog desserts in several parts of the world and plants there have adapted to collect fog.
Such as http://www.synbio.org.uk/component/content/article/53-plant-biology-news/1400-the-plant-that-can-water-itself.html?directory=255

And then there’s this:
http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2010-05/invention-awards-watering-plants-desert

Glad you liked it!

That competition was a bit unusual of course but if you look at the different submissions it does give you lots to think about.

Do you mean something like this?

http://figmentproject.org/2010/long-term-exhibitions/living-pavilion/

Ornamental grasses are quickly becoming a serious source of invasives in many parts of the country. Miscanthus has gotten completely out of hand in some areas, Pennisetum too.
In the Central part of the country, Eragrostis trichodes has a texture similar to Nasella, if soil and watering conditions will suit. But it is not native to California, so…[Read more]

If you cannot get the job you want or need, then adding to your experience with plants, design and construction can only help later on. Just don’t lose sight of where you want to be headed.

Contracts…definitely contracts.

http://clientsfromhell.net/

Altho this site is stories from web designers and graphic designers, you’ll see the horror tales of clients who re-invent the understanding after the work is done.

1. Oil at least will not always be a part of the mix because it exists in limited supply.
2. If human population continues to grow and to consume at the recent rate, there can be no technology or mix that can sustain us.

So I believe that human population control and ending the consumption culture are two huge steps (difficult steps) that cannot…[Read more]

Ah, I am not saying that all is explained by seeing BP as The Three Stooges. I am suggesting that ascribing complicated conspiracies to explain what is happening ignores the reality of real live people who are not in fact omnipotent. I have no doubt that they conspire (as I wrote), but the point is of no use to us. And talk of conspiracies,…[Read more]

Perhaps, but remember that they have opted to drill a mile under the ocean surface using technology that is barely up to the task. I can’t guess whether there is a deep conspiracy or not, but to go all the way down that speculative road ignores that people, even (especially !) big corporations are often just stupid.

So maybe we have stupid people…[Read more]