[Thomas Jump]

Your description brought back some memories and feelings that I had my first year in OSU’s BSLA program “way back when”. I had very little artistic, technical or horticultural background and after a single, non-intensive “Intro to LA” course the previous spring, I was thrown into the curriculum in a way similar your current experience. There was a lot of drawing and abstract design with (physical) model building along with technical drafting, beginning construction and woody plants classes. It was very intense and a real “sink or swim” time for me. I managed to keep my head above water and muddle through but really the whole first year was like that- perserverance with sleep deprivation thrown in for good measure. Best of luck to you however it turns out!

[Thomas Jump]

Amany,

On one of the LinkedIn LA groups this week there was someone from a mideast civil firm looking for LA’s in Qatar. I believe the firm was Atkins.

Best of luck to you, Tom

[Thomas Jump]

Denver Public Schools has had a program called Learning Landscapes that has renovated schoolyards in a creative fashion. It has been featured in LA Mag too. Google their website and you can scratch the surface of information.

 

As far as cold weather, I would say there are plenty of winter days that kids can and should get outside for recess so don’t dismiss thinking about winter character and use.

 

Best of luck.

[Thomas Jump]

They have something like this out at the Colorado Rapids soccer complex. I forget exactly what they were- some type of coyote statue that they were using as “scare crows”.

[Thomas Jump]

I find this blog to be a great resource for a variety of drawing and sketching styles. I believe it was featured on Land8 a while ago.

http://www.urbansketchers.com/

[Thomas Jump]

A downside of synthetic turf is how it retains heat on hot days and standing on the turf can be more than 20 degrees hotter than the surrounding areas. Such a public square would not be tolerable during much of the summer.

I would question whether or not the design concept in a “public square” situation could be successful by substituting synthetic for real turf. The heat, the little rubber pellets, possible vandalism, imbedded animal waste and chewing gum would al be detriments to the enjoyment of the space. Synthetic turf makes a lot of sense for park and school district athletic fields where there’s high turf wear but not enough $$$ to do adequate maintenance. But there are many squares around the world that are done with interesting paving and even crushed granite on a larger scale, then complemented and humanized by trees and planting beds.

And as an editorial note, I find sythetic turfs’ bright green color during the gray, brown winter to be too unnatural for my own tastes..

[Thomas Jump]

Yes- employed. I fall into the same category as Mary above. It can be busy for a few weeks or over a month and then a sizeable lull follows. I have been optimistic that things were turning around a few times over the past 15 months but it was the old “false summit”, in mountaineering speak. Right now I am encouraged by some positive trends in the news.

[Thomas Jump]

My wife graduated with a BS in Industrial Design and a minor in Interior Design. She has spent most of her career in systems furniture, space planning and interior design. We went to college together many years ago so I remember some of her projects and courses that she took. She has never worked at a firm that does purely industrial design (if there is such a thing). At one point she was interested in a local company here called Monigle & Assoc. who does alot of “environmental branding” for corporate clients. They are still around- google them for more info. Of course product design is a big part of that field too and there is plenty of info out there on that. Good luck with it.

[Thomas Jump]

Brittany,
This is a very broad topic but, as the previous post says, definitely read the RFP and follow the instructions closely. Most public projects are highly competitive and firms typically have been following the project closely even before it hits the public advertisement.. Adequate consultant responses to RFP’s can be time-consuming and expensive so make sure you realistically evaluate your chances in terms of how your team’s expertise and experience match up to the project’s needs in relationship to the competition. Make sure you go to the pre-proposal meeting with a basic understanding of the project. Good luck, Tom

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