https://land8.com/members/toshk/activity/ Activity feed for Tosh K. Fri, 10 Apr 2026 02:54:16 +0000 https://buddypress.org/?v=6.0.0 en-US 30 hourly 2 6c1c1e12e741415b42c073e6256f6181 https://land8.com/forums/topic/la-books-i-wont-use-anymore/#post-3565174 Wed, 20 Dec 2023 22:12:05 +0000 Curious that the chapter can’t find them a home. Would think that any of the firms nearby [if there are any] or a program would at least take them to redistribute.

]]> 0 6adc80e65741d532c1f4c24e272f8f0d https://land8.com/activity/p/52947/ Mon, 15 Jan 2018 22:44:36 +0000 0 7ea42cc9bd31a47eddaa78cb205a42e4 https://land8.com/activity/p/52946/ Mon, 15 Jan 2018 22:42:19 +0000 0 b6d700b641b1cb83489c34fc47c42a14 http://land8.com/forums/topic/trump-as-president-meaning-for-landscape-architects/page/5/#post-151178 Fri, 10 Feb 2017 16:47:39 +0000 What I’m seeing: Brexit has caused screeching halts across architecture firms in Britain, seems like we’re taking similar approaches in doing international business; firms are bracing to lose H1B workers, younger US workers seem to be asking for more and doing less to take advantage of that; funded work is continuing / unfunded or funding pending…[Read more]

]]> 0 29b523179596c3d424c3dcd0f90f9bcd http://land8.com/forums/topic/getting-employed/#post-151292 Fri, 02 Dec 2016 19:33:33 +0000 I’d say take a look around and see if you can find the disk version of an older AutoCAD (even back to 2012) – while some things have remarkably improved in recent versions, the basic command set for putting a drawing set together hasn’t changed all that much in 10 yrs. 
Once you get familiar with the software you could ask some more experienced…[Read more]

]]> 0 6f901f0b34138c3694cfab90b3c83007 http://land8.com/forums/topic/jobs-posted-on-land8/#post-151285 Tue, 13 Sep 2016 16:28:45 +0000 Some of it is influenced by where the applicant is in their life.  In the big cities there is a lot to do (often for free): lectures, gallery openings, vendor parties, etc.  In NYC, it seems the younger folks all go out, and are less concerned with living in a smaller apt further out (you can still easily pay well under $1k/month in Manhattan f…[Read more]

]]> 0 8ba283989d1afe0985f3b6a78be99400 http://land8.com/forums/topic/getting-employed/page/2/#post-151318 Tue, 13 Sep 2016 16:19:23 +0000 2nd Andrew’s recommendation – I learned AutoCAD on the job in a city engineering department.  Alternatively maybe with a contractor (shop drawings).

]]> 0 42e2d3f2276a61369c6b1e75706179ac http://land8.com/forums/topic/pattern-books-for-rezoning/#post-151419 Wed, 13 Jul 2016 23:28:00 +0000 Are you looking for those graphic zoning books that were quite popular in the 90s and 00s down in FL? The kind produced for Celebration, Seaside, WaterColor, etc or parts of Charleston?  I know it’s been central to the push for NU developments but often has come under criticism for being a mechanism to enforce ‘taste police’ and a homogeneous…[Read more]

]]> 0 12a46455c51aa4a54d28e43723d9a2e2 http://land8.com/forums/topic/clarb-lare-scoring/#post-154099 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 20:06:01 +0000 Turnaround in exam has partially to do with them analyzing the ‘tryout questions’ – the small body of volunteers available to write and review exam questions makes it difficult for rapid turnaround.  I’m assuming you’re heavily lobbying local veteran professionals to help chip in on the process.
Exam study books are the books the writers of the…[Read more]

]]> 0 b2fbe0ddb68a3aec82e5c624b3ece753 http://land8.com/forums/topic/landscape-history-of-the-middle-east/#post-151410 Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:47:01 +0000 Some of Shlomo Aronson’s monographs include historical landscape references (Israel).

]]> 0 cfee12bba6abe2b6a7412993ae798466 http://land8.com/forums/topic/accessible-surface-materials/#post-151458 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 17:41:03 +0000 not around fire, but the recycled rubber surfaces are pretty nice – you can also use the gravel ones too (I would think the urethane binder is flammable thought)

]]> 0 dabad44cff379660c7f3db6be6ec130c http://land8.com/forums/topic/accessible-surface-materials/#post-151459 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 17:40:18 +0000 stone dust and oyster shells?

]]> 0 dc5ec30aa02db0fa1774b19df004791a http://land8.com/forums/topic/working-abroad-entry-level-landscape-architecture-where-do-i-start/#post-151448 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 17:39:08 +0000 work for places that will give you a good work/life balance – I know too many people that traveled for work or worked in foreign places only to find that they only worked.  As with all jobs, have a great presentation ready (portfolio, resume, enthusiasm), know the language of the business (if not the place), and have some type of network.  A lot o…[Read more]

]]> 0 ea9166fba1b1e7f460372f47daec9c37 https://land8.com/forums/topic/let-me-rephrase-how-many-of-you-are-successful-las-with-an-mla-but-no-bla/#post-151453 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 17:33:48 +0000 US, but engineering and history undergrad.  I find it helpful to have a different background.

]]> 0 886231d58b9e43adf7f02f76b8c04b57 http://land8.com/forums/topic/method-for-analyze-competencies-for-students-that-have-graduate-as-a-landscape-architect-or-horticulturist/#post-151472 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 20:44:43 +0000 Not sure what you’re looking for – it’s nearly impossible to do a universal assessment.  Even license exams aren’t that thorough.  You’d be asking to test: horticulture knowledge, grading, drainage, materials, detailing, specifications, software, office standards, writing, codes, erosion sediment control, design, drawing, modeling, etc, etc, e…[Read more]

]]> 0 e7ac8ee1dba65c75a92645fb668daf45 http://land8.com/forums/topic/certificate-in-landscape-design-benefits-drawbacks/#post-151484 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 18:22:51 +0000 Classes you might look for to boost your portfolio: drawing (horticultural based one if you can find it), photography.
Work experience that could be helpful outside of LA: construction, nursery work.
If a LD certificate program is available, it may not hurt, though it would depend on the relative strength of the program and who’s teaching (if…[Read more]

]]> 0 2418c4dc755478277abd519d59a66cfc https://land8.com/forums/topic/new-mla-program-uocalgary/#post-151492 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 18:18:19 +0000 I’d check and see what the senior faculty and director of the program has done previously (assuming they’ve taught at a senior level elsewhere, it may give some indication of where they’re headed).  Even in established programs they rely on student feedback, but the changes come after you so it’s not a self driving aspect (that can be established…[Read more]

]]> 0 79c0e9aca3dd4aa8f3c618d5e3bba6e9 https://land8.com/forums/topic/salary-bump-after-licensure/#post-151548 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 20:03:07 +0000 Pay is tied to work produced – we get paid for the work produced (not hourly rate, though it’s not entirely unrelated).  When proposals and contracts are written up, the hours for tasks is approximated, with the associated rate and the total fee is estimated.  Licensed staff can help reduce insurance costs and project qualifications, but it’s u…[Read more]

]]> 0 89965db9caa71628ab02a7a417e220d6 http://land8.com/forums/topic/urban-planning-in-l-a/#post-151620 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 22:03:31 +0000 I’m curious to see where the LA River work is going to go – lots of work that will happen related to it.  Getting in touch with the consultants on that project should help (Mia Lehrer, Frank Gehry, etc).

]]> 0 f84d147360f6abe6650706e8ee4ec5ae https://land8.com/forums/topic/is-it-worth-waiting-for/#post-151629 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 21:59:13 +0000 As others have pointed out, a lot has to do with positioning.  I had a similar job while in grad school, mostly CAD jockey, but I got work on planting plans were I managed to get some freedom to design mostly based on understanding what planning boards may be looking for (an engineer might say less-evenly spaced shrubs, while you might call them…[Read more]

]]> 0 af678327ef38f1a354d6f093f9f5a6fe https://land8.com/forums/topic/magazine-recommendation/#post-151682 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 01:22:35 +0000 Wallpaper and Metropolis; maybe select copies of LAM or Arch Record.  I really liked A+U (from Japan) as well, but pricey.

]]> 0 ee6995d7a5847ba3f8737541b0c9776f https://land8.com/forums/topic/sustainable-lumber-for-exterior-use/#post-151693 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:34:55 +0000 What are your criteria? 
A lot of suppliers offering thermally treated woods with some doing the process domestically (rather than shipping it out to the Baltic and back) – the ash supply seems to be from the trees cut down for borer infestation so may be a good choice.

]]> 0 276dc174edced038e1fb74d8424882a0 https://land8.com/forums/topic/asla-needs-to-market-us/#post-174478 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 15:48:06 +0000 The Highline is a funny one – you hear larch and arch each take total credit. 
Advocacy is a pretty hot topic at ASLA, with each chapter taking various initiatives: go to schools and show all the great projects that get kids excited and tell their parents, participate in ACE program (I can’t tell you all the moments of ‘oh, landscape architects…[Read more]

]]> 0 a4eec0585f2050b562ffc571c3364141 http://land8.com/forums/topic/buffalo-niagara-rochester/#post-151709 Wed, 14 Oct 2015 18:54:09 +0000 There are some Frank Lloyd Wright work up there, no? (http://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/businesses/frank-lloyd-wrights-martin-house-complex/) 
Also an Olmsted plan (https://www.bfloparks.org/)…
I think Joy Kuebler’s done some neat work in the area (http://www.jklastudio.com/)

]]> 0 073992972d52c34950ea1c0381b57e1d https://land8.com/forums/topic/how-many-of-you-students-and-professionals-have-subdivision-and-master-planning-experience/#post-151740 Thu, 01 Oct 2015 15:47:21 +0000 I did a lot of this type of work with a planning and engineering firm – seems for the large part that sector holds the market and they tend to have a few LAs on staff.  ‘New Urbanism’ ideas were the predominant design push from planners both public and private, but the interpretations in some cases were horrible and prevented some better designs…[Read more]

]]> 0 a3e7b56a6d637ccf8112fb28f5da0bd0 https://land8.com/forums/topic/coexisting-with-deer/#post-151828 Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:45:37 +0000 10′ high fence or double row of 6~8′ (often planted with a hedge to screen, yes it’s expensive); spray treatment in CT seems to have pretty good effect as they can go elsewhere, more urban areas maybe be limited (it’s a 1~2 times a season and not too cost prohibitive).  They browse everything, and deep in winter it gets really bad (there’s a herd…[Read more]

]]> 0 0ba4d8fbbd2e9b816996c0b6fd18e460 http://land8.com/forums/topic/what-do-you-recommend-for-a-bike-path-treatment-in-a-floodplain/#post-151834 Mon, 20 Jul 2015 20:50:10 +0000 there’s a porous rubber (usually recycled tires) product, it’s installed over a gravel base.  If wash out is a risk, it’s probably not great (but can be easily replaced).  As Dave noted, all porous materials will lose their permeability with silt deposits, but they’ll be fine as a surface.

]]> 0 abfeef7cb6dff13405caa209f62fcec2 https://land8.com/forums/topic/hiring-secod-career-bla-graduates/#post-151892 Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:36:12 +0000 There are a lot of skills you have that’ll be to your advantage, while the disadvantages may actually be in your favor (so you won’t be the most attractive candidate for a firm that pays little and expects 85hrs/wk… not exactly a bummer).
As Andrew mentioned, some employers have been skittish about taking on someone that may have to move, but…[Read more]

]]> 0 087418b299f0636ccc071d2212186db1 http://land8.com/forums/topic/autocad-mac-vs-pc/#post-152137 Sun, 07 Jun 2015 19:12:20 +0000 Having gone through Sandy and a few other major network outages, I can’t recommend an online solution to my employers; the risk is too high for our margins.

]]> 0 3ef5b5fd3696e96fa9526b0e220a6eaa http://land8.com/forums/topic/autocad-mac-vs-pc/#post-152139 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 21:43:35 +0000 i find there is a performance lag on similar specs for mc on bootcamp and pc; and i also hate having to OS’s vulnerabilities on one computer (assuming you use both iOS and Windows at some point), not to mention cost and upgrading time.

]]> 0 b971b813ae6a5b2700d65c0bdbb4106a https://land8.com/forums/topic/ideas-for-porous-paving-material-must-look-nicer-than-pavers/#post-151939 Thu, 28 May 2015 18:42:11 +0000 might want to use some type of edging to keep them in place (though it will get a bit complicated); if the client is willing to pay, you should be able to get travertine thicker from the quarry blocks.
do make sure the water doesn’t sit in the gravel below – it can begin to emit and odor if allowed to stagnate below.

]]> 0 f6b43933a821dfd0fd20c9c3ef861143 http://land8.com/forums/topic/projects-with-good-contour-plans/#post-151952 Wed, 06 May 2015 18:57:30 +0000 Hargraeves, ReedHilderbrand, MVVA, Haag projects; I recall the Seattle Sculpture Garden being an example for the architecture students.
A lot of the plans may not be online.  In flat runs the spots and grades are more decisive, in free form work, the lines are how you can control the grading process, though a lot of it will be in the field during…[Read more]

]]> 0 e55fc5203df2fb6f09eaca520bb61bb0 https://land8.com/forums/topic/upenn-vs-uw-mla-i-program/#post-151965 Tue, 28 Apr 2015 14:15:18 +0000 There are a few Penn grads on here, so I’ll leave it to them to describe the program.  My personal impression is that Penn deals with larger scale issues and heavily invests itself in analytics of large landscapes, while UW has had an emphasis on construction side of things.  Read into that what you will, but programs do adapt and change as f…[Read more]

]]> 0 531e32347fe2d21810c2b688672bb7e5 http://land8.com/forums/topic/research-study-on-graphic-techniques/#post-151972 Fri, 24 Apr 2015 21:39:27 +0000 funny – i was told my handwriting wasn’t architectural enough while in undergrad…

]]> 0 1814c5d166256ce585276ca0e94cea05 http://land8.com/forums/topic/research-study-on-graphic-techniques/#post-151980 Thu, 23 Apr 2015 13:59:14 +0000 I’m curious – I know a few folks have expressed their views in other conversations but thoughts on digital vs analog graphics?
Looking at some recent portfolios, I keep seeing more ‘bad’ digital graphics than analog.  Mostly b/c hand drawings seem to have been ditched in lieu of hand, but also there seems to be a more critical eye for manual…[Read more]

]]> 0 3a85e891220642ce7ffa757de1f9d8c8 http://land8.com/forums/topic/what-is-the-best-way-to-improve-design-skills/page/2/#post-152001 Mon, 20 Apr 2015 16:08:32 +0000 Find successful spaces and diagram them, breaking them down to analyze why they work.

]]> 0 00c92fd809dd383fafcc4abf2593b7ad https://land8.com/forums/topic/painting-pavement-for-raised-garden-beds/#post-152009 Thu, 16 Apr 2015 18:08:26 +0000 Another benefit of the chips may be that you can use them in the summer hot months but remove them to take advantage of the heat in spring and fall to extend the growing season.  Over asphalt is fine, and often better in urban environments as the surrounding soil often isn’t particularly clean (lead, etc)

]]> 0 b98c164969a75b15ae15f0891666c073 https://land8.com/forums/topic/job-prospects/#post-152007 Thu, 16 Apr 2015 18:05:24 +0000 A large portion depends on how you position yourself: networking and quality of portfolio are for the most part how you land a job.  Some people are offered positions prior to graduation, others will struggle.  International employment is common, but in some parts of the world they expect graduate degrees and they also do not have student loans (…[Read more]

]]> 0 c22481b65800ccc1c58354cdef0d0c53 https://land8.com/forums/topic/grad-school-decision-texas-am-or-harvard-gsd/#post-152018 Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:35:09 +0000 A lot depends on what you want to do after you graduate – some programs train you to be useful from day one in a design firm that sees project through construction (I’m A&M is one) others are more theory driven (GSD is more the latter, big scale planning, diagramming but not a whole lot of actual detailing or understanding of construction).  Also…[Read more]

]]> 0 84475c3717a8708aabe9d6ea2947bf2d https://land8.com/forums/topic/non-major-careers/#post-152028 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:56:21 +0000 Note that you won’t have much in terms of skill set for most smaller design firms, but finding an engineering firm w/ an LA department or a cross disciplinary firm/agency may be a good start (say parks departments or environmental consultants).  A larger firm may be able to let you intern, but full-time positions may be difficult as the firm…[Read more]

]]> 0 046311b6b5c3ce9605d931a1b66ce59b https://land8.com/forums/topic/office-organization-materials-library/#post-152075 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:53:23 +0000 I second this, although the newest format has this a bit skewed for site work (Masterformat separates by trade, or at least is intended to – which may be an issue for some manufacturers as they do items across sections, say lighting and site furnishings or green walls and planters).  Most suppliers will list their pertinent sections on their…[Read more]

]]> 0 d1f9ba24204fe1ad861636b1de2b12ec https://land8.com/forums/topic/what-books-do-you-feel-are-must-have-books-for-any-landscape-architect/#post-152082 Wed, 11 Mar 2015 17:35:24 +0000 Plants: Dirr’s book on woody plants; Armitage’s on perennials.
‘Sustainability’ (or more accurately on ecology and design): The Green Braid (Tanzer&Longoria), Ecology and Design (Hill), Landscape Urbanism Reader (this will show you what one direct development of “Design with Nature” is, “Granite Garden” and others by Spirn will show
Theory: Theory…[Read more]

]]> 0 bd05757e9de626df1071acdc47cc1cc5 https://land8.com/forums/topic/what-books-do-you-feel-are-must-have-books-for-any-landscape-architect/#post-152083 Wed, 11 Mar 2015 17:22:58 +0000 seems to differ by school.  some don’t bother teaching soil science, others neglect horticulture and only teach about ID and aesthetics of plants, others are still behind on ecology…

]]> 0 b904e0e2ba82e3b9a68d2ede24c22f5a https://land8.com/forums/topic/best-3d-modeling-software-for-small-firm/#post-152067 Wed, 11 Mar 2015 17:17:37 +0000 Macs?  I’m assuming no AutoDesk tie-ins then?  Robert’s suggestion on Vectorworks is good; I also think every office should have a version of SketchUp as seemingly everyone seems to have it (including product vendors and consultants). 
Rhino is well suited for more complex geometries and landforms; it’s a surface modeling software at its co…[Read more]

]]> 0 b0dd94a8a0b9f1e4eafedcf3c8475f3a https://land8.com/forums/topic/pre-recession-landscape-architecture/#post-152092 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 19:21:39 +0000 I remember clients sending us blank checks to move their projects to the front burner (not often, but it happened).  Every firm was rolling in work and clients were spending quite liberally and allowing firms to charge a decent rate for fees (10~15% for institutional/commercial vs 3~7% that is more common now).  Jobs were easy to come by, and p…[Read more]

]]> 0 361713c91f94c3823cd220e6b61c7835 https://land8.com/forums/topic/high-maintenance-artificial-landscapes/#post-152108 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 22:53:17 +0000 High Line (and Brookyln Bridge Park for that matter) seems to have an excessive cost attached to maintenance in comparison to others in the city.  vertical landscapes still haven’t seem to have gotten to a point where there’s a good return on investment.  I suppose schools often encourage pushing the boundaries and hence the discussion of some o…[Read more]

]]> 0 059b1c6d1721d91be2a0d49e1824cdd8 https://land8.com/forums/topic/best-sketch-up-rendering-software/#post-152098 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 22:48:11 +0000 seconded – i’d say it’s a lot easier than a lot of them out there.

]]> 0 209b09e03eea9607c837cd693e5bd1bc http://land8.com/forums/topic/which-has-a-better-employment-outlook/page/2/#post-152256 Mon, 08 Dec 2014 21:40:16 +0000 Depending on the program, some degrees will offer more options post graduation (I recall a professor from ASU chiding one of my students who mentioned an ID degree to do an architecture degree because it gives you a broader sense of design (and is typically more rigorous) and you can still do ID.  As others mentioned LA will still allow you to d…[Read more]

]]> 0 c48d33a72e37b5c2d0c0fe552190d904 https://land8.com/forums/topic/lare-exam-section-1-advice/#post-152223 Mon, 01 Dec 2014 17:17:20 +0000 Ready, Set, Practice.  Also Hinze’s Construction Contracts (chapter 9 or 10, no need to go over the whole book), you can buy an older edition as the new ones are rather pricey.  They’re about the only things I looked at.

]]> 0 e43794c74a7be5ac280d132e8fd83a3f https://land8.com/forums/topic/parade-ground-grading/#post-152225 Mon, 01 Dec 2014 17:13:17 +0000 Parading? not really , just make sure there’s enough grade for it to drain (you don’t want a muddy ground).  2% is really noticeable when running extended periods of time, but while walking/marching.  you will see the grade though, so you don’t want kinks in the pitch.

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