[Vance W. Hall]

I feel that rendering in CAD exclusively removes any feeling in the image.

[Vance W. Hall]

Nick Aceto is on page with our firm. We typically use a combination of CAD, Hand-sketch, PS and illustrator.

As an office I feel it is easiest to have a CAD/PS combination. It is the staple for most University programs. We use a common hand-graphic style that translates into all the programs. in the end they are all just tools and unless your office has a set style your staff graphics will conflict. Office illustrators and graphics people are often worth their experience.

CAD – base files and line work
PS – rendering
Illustrator – Page formating and late in the game line-work
Sketchup- Perspectives
Wacom – for looseness

A monthly “how to” meeting often helps. Good Luck

[Vance W. Hall]

I really enjoy your site. If anyone has not seen it check it out. http://www.groundeddesign.com

[Vance W. Hall]

I am lucky enough to live in the foothills of the Rockies. Here we are able to use a number of perennials, grasses and annuals to infill our beds and tree lines. We have a climate that will sustain a beautiful pallet of non-invasive hearty plants. This allows the average person to easily maintain and implement an environmentally friendly garden. However, this is not the case in many areas of the country.

You are talking about developing complex micro climates. Once they are settled they typically do great, but are often more expensive and time consuming to start. It is a hard sell to the client. Also, other than your advanced gardener or Landscape Architect few people even grasp your concept. I love the idea of a more conscious effort, but it will start with education of the end user and our up and coming LA’s.

Thomas thanks for the food for thought this Monday.

[Vance W. Hall]

Jim,

That is really funny.

I typically do resort design work, but love doing the occasional home. It allows me to directly see the faces of the beneficiaries of my work. Often times in weeks and not months or years like the majority of my projects. Resorts are made of an accumulation of intimate spaces. If I cannot create one how can I link dozens with style?

I feel if you can’t answer the questions that come your way from the general public you may need to hit the books. Step your game up. I love and will always love what I do as an artisan of the land. We just have to realize that sometimes we must live off an artist’s wages and do work that does not always inspire us.

[Vance W. Hall]

I hope that the area from Broadway and Alameda to Broadway and Mississippi and West to Federal improve. The area of Athmar Park is very underutilized for being so well connected to Downtown.

[Vance W. Hall]

It just depends if it works for the area. I live in denver and a lawn thrives here with little effort. On the other hand I am from north Texas where it is very windy and dry so a lawn is silly and wasteful there.

It often comes down to price per square foot. It is hard to sell an existing HOA group, commercial client, etc. that they should spend 10x plus on shrubs,groundcover , or perennial beds than on turf lawns. With the increase in smarter grasses water consumption is dropping to reasonable numbers.

Nice discussion Lisa and great pic Timbutong.
Thanks

[Vance W. Hall]

I agree thanks for the additions.

Marc I love the park and structure. I see that it meets code for you guys.

I wonder how it would face up to California Code. It seems we can’t put a pool or playground in without it being too safe for kids to enjoy.

Thanks Again to all and hope to see more.

[Vance W. Hall]

AR ,

I work for a mountain resort design firm in Denver( Terrasan). We typically have some LEED certification on most projects.
Please feel free to look at our website for locations. My land8 page also has some pics. I would also check East West Partners website. They are a major developer that have many projects that would fit your needs.

http://www.terrasanla.com

[Vance W. Hall]

I have seen a great application of a stone seat wall with the core drill holes from the stone quarry ( or replications to match) used face up as the skate deterrent. The 1 1/2″ drill punches look visually interesting, seat friendly and acted as a moderate grind preventer. It also did not deter the advanced skater who could glide past but prevented it from being the learning base for beginners. I think it was a good compromise.

[Vance W. Hall]

Elif,

Patrick Blanc’s system is a great lightweight hydroponic system. Like any complex hydroponic system you need to have an understanding of your maintenance staff and their abilities. I would look for plants that require a similar “simple” liquid fertilizer mix, or half your wall will thrive and the others will be choked out or dwindle. This will also provide a less complex fertilizer and watering schedule for the staff.

[Vance W. Hall]

Great ambitions !!!

I feel that the renovation and reclamation of a community area rarely devalues the land or property value and usually does quite the opposite if consciously designed. A proper design and cost estimate must be put into play to know the true cost of the addition both short term (installation) and long term (maintenance and upkeep). A good portion of the people will be looking at that dollar amount to base their decision.

I feel that using edible flowers could cause you issues unless they all are proven edible. You could create a health liability for both you and your neighbors. Choose plants that offer unique and pleasant smells at different times of the year. If they are edible you will know and chow down.

I would approach the HOA with a well thought out design with limited plant specifics, showing them the beauty an improvement could bring. Present it to them with words such as sensory highlights and seasonal interest ( ie flowering trees,flowers, perennials and veggies). Get the door open then come back to the development meeting with the groups of plants you would like to see included.

I hope this helps. I know that these type of situations can be challenging.

Vance Hall
Denver

[Vance W. Hall]

I believe weeds are sometimes others flowers. The same can surely be said about food bearing plants.

In Denver we have an apartment manager near my office that does what he calls ” Inter-Urban Gardening”. He is a collector and a unique character to say the least , but what he does is very interesting. He will take a space of unused land in an alley or along a parking lot fence line and plant vegetables of all kinds in an ornate manner. He does it to help feed the many homeless he knows that populate the downtown area and to fulfill his need to garden. So as you are walking you will see a bunch of carrots , a few rows of corn or tomatoes. It looks good and replaces patches of dirt with food for thought.

Use those veggies or spices. With a recession who can’t use a little of natures goodness to add to the dinner table.

[Vance W. Hall]

Andrew G you are always full of great advice. People reading – take notes.

Part time work is still work with a foot in the door. Pride can make you walk around with blinders on.
I am doing dishes, maintaining the property and being an all around work horse for whatever and whoever around my office.

[Vance W. Hall]

To the unemployed. I feel your pain my mom and brother were both just laid off.

On a positive note there are many short term innovative competitions out there with cash awards. Get a group together in your area that are in the same boat and create a design team. This will allow you to work on design projects with others in related fields and stay sharp for when things do pick up. If nothing else it will help to fill the blank void with noteworthy action.

Best of luck to you all. Especially the ones around me in Denver…….

[Author]

Posts