Stephanie Curtis

There are strict standards for greywater irrigation – it should not come in contact with people – therefore it is subsurface and also its application is dependent on soil percolation rate, meaning it should not pond to the surface. Not to say with all the rules it is not possible. More potable water is used irrigating landscapes than for basic…[Read more]

I always thought that greywater has too many pathogens to be safely used for irrigation anywhere people would come in contact with it. Not true?

I just started working at a new firm, Rana Creek. The first LEED project I am working on is a large scale neighborhood renovation project that will capture greywater from showers & laundry for a for landscape irrigation. It turns out from our initial calculations, all the homes intended for water harvesting collected too much water, so we needed…[Read more]

I am currently working on a classroom addition for a high school which is a LEED project. We are designing a central courtyard that demonstrates a variety of LID features. These include porous concrete paving, four rain gardens and a cistern that collects rain water from the roof. Most of the materials being used have some recycled content. We are…[Read more]

hi everybody, i just graduated with my MLA and was worried I couldn’t take a LEED exam without LEED experience, I scanned and attached my diploma to the registration and I’m qualified to take the LEED GA – I haven’t received the study materials yet because they’re on backorder but thought I’d let the word out

Is anyone working on a LEED project now? How is it going? Share with us…

Two years after clearing the invasives in my part of the creekbed in my backyard – you know, plants like Arundo and Tamarisk (how did that get there?) and Washingtonia palms (we all know how that got there) – the birds were kind enough to plant 3 Quercus agrifolia and a Toyon that is now about 12′ high. None of these are requiring additional water…[Read more]

Christmas berry!? They can make a landscape designer a hero!

I just received mine a few days ago too and I passed on the 27th of June.

Chris-
I know exactly what mean. It would be almost impossible to be a true advocate for the client if you were being paid a sales commission from the contractor. The commission I was referring to is more like maybe a “finders fee”, if you will. I run across all sorts of projects and not all of them are appropriate for a designer. So I refer the…[Read more]

Chirs,
Here in Texas we are not required to be licensed for landscape contracting. Sometimes I wish we were because every guy that has lost his job in the last few months has become a landscaper/maintenace contractor. I am sometimes bidding against people that are brand new in the business.
I am working with several Landscape Architects like…[Read more]

Hey Chris,
We are in Phoenix, and we do mainly design and subcontract the work out on high end residential designs. I believe we are the main contractor, and the work is divided accordingly.

Chris,
I operated a design/build company for 25 years where most of the work we did in-house with some sub-contracting on the specialized features. I now work by myself designing and then managing the projects. I have a network of contractors that work on these projects. I have a design fee and then negotiate a management fee with the…[Read more]

Elif-

I have learned that high-level or not, clients don’t read a lot of text. They’re swayed by images, sketches, pretty colors, and your passion. If you say Mondrian, show them what/who that is so they don’t have to ask. Have images that clearly delineate the connection between a Mondrian piece and your design (for example). If you communicate…[Read more]

Chris-
My advice:
If you love design, find a couple of good contractors you can send work to on a regular basis. They will (or should) pay you a commission or referal fee for the work you refer to them. They will in turn send you work, some of which they will pay you for directly. Probably a little at first, then more as your relationship builds.…[Read more]

Hey Chris,
My principal here in AZ is a licensed contractor. It’s pretty involved here, but definitely opens up many opportunities…

i passed mine in march i think, and it didn’t post on the website for 4 months and i just received my certificate yesterday.

I called the USGBC a week or two back they are just beginning to print certificates for those who passed between may and june.

I’m in Southern California too and passed the exam just before the cutoff – it only took 6 or so weeks to get my certificate and listing on the website. I know they are a little behind because of the rush to take the exam before the v2.2 cutoff, but I would be a little more proactive if I was you…you don’t want this to fall through the cracks…[Read more]

thanks. i did check the website and didn’t see my name listed yet but hopeful as you said they are probably just behind schedule.