Hey guys, I’m working on getting a freelance Architectural and Landscape Architectural rendering gig going using a newish engine called Thea, and wanted you guys to look at a few of the component models I have so far. Let me know what you think. The car and bench are tweaked Sketchup components that I re-skinned, the trees are from Tree[d], which the exception of the pine, which someone shared in the Thea forums. The Stop sign is original, and the people are default SketchUp people, and I’m not sure if they are the way I am going to end up doing people or not. I’m trying to get these set so anytime anyone needs a design with a maple rendered, I’m ready to plug this in. First, the trees. I spend a LOT of time with these trying to get not just the right bark, the and ...Read More
I am always excited when the latest issue of Topos arrives in my mailbox. Not only are the projects reviewed inspiring and the writing excellent, the whole magazine is high quality – even down to the weight. (Those who have picked one up know what I mean.) Topos 72: Design and Function did not fail to impress. Do the designs for open spaces meet the needs of their users? Topos 72 uses 17 different international projects to answer this question. In good fashion. To discuss the current issue, check out the Topos group here on Land8 Lounge. Order the current issue and subscribe to Topos here.
The restoration of the Durham Heritage Coast – previously an industrial wasteland – was announced as the winner of the first-ever UK Landscape Awards in Liverpool on 8 November. Durham Heritage Coast was awarded the title of UK Landscape of Year at the UK Landscape Conference in Liverpool. The project will now go on to represent the UK in the European Landscape Award which takes place in Strasbourg in March 2011. Durham Heritage Coast emerged as the winner from a diverse list of urban and rural finalists which included: A twenty five year campaign to improve the Mersey Basin Creation of spectacular spaces and streets in the heart of Sheffield Community-led rebuilding of Baxter Park, Dundee in Scotland Conservation of the hill forts and heather moorland of Denbighshire in Wales Regene...Read More
(BYLA Blog)We’ve had an Apple iPad in the office for several months, this post is intended to share our experience. What’s good about the iPad… Owning one makes a statement Excellent presentation tool Portability Intuitive navigation Valuable applications Web syncing w/ google services Content consumption The iPad is a well designed and executed facsimile of a small underpowered computer. The machine works exceptionally well as a portable image portfolio, presentation tool and internet* consumption device. Navigating through an image gallery is intuitive. An application store with more than 200,000 applications means you should* be able to find one to fit your needs. What’s not so good about the iPad… Owning one makes a statement Sometimes erratic internet connectivity ( ...Read More
I have been following eVolo magazine for several months now and their latest issue looks great. The major question that they consider How do we imagine the cities of tomorrow? Here is their description:“This is one of the most difficult questions that architects, designers, and urban planners need to answer in a time where more than half of the world’s population lives in urban settlements – a mere century ago only ten percent did. In this issue we examine innovative urban proposals that will transform the way we live; projects that preserve the natural landscape with integral architecture and urbanism with deep connections to site, culture, and environment. These are concepts of hybrid urbanism that offer a juxtaposition of programs to live, work, and play for a hyper-mo...Read More
Columbia, Maryland (Sept. 14, 2010)—Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. is pleased to announce the availability of the 2011 version of its award-winning Vectorworks® line of design software, including: Vectorworks Designer, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Fundamentals and Renderworks™. “Vectorworks 2011 takes a major step in positioning the Vectorworks brand as the AEC 3D technology leader,” says Dr. Biplab Sarkar, Chief Technology Officer of Nemetschek Vectorworks. “Taking a page out of the MCAD world, Vectorworks now supports drafting on arbitrary working planes and interactive modeling based on the drafted entities. Vectorworks 2011 also reinforces Vectorworks Architect as a major global BIM product. Users will find the new 3D wall components, floors with components, and impr...Read More
After Autodesk’s announcement last week of the release of AutoCAD for the Mac, I wanted to find out what the folks over at Nemetschek Vectorworks had to say. From an email I received from a public relations specialist with Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc., I gathered that they remain confident that their sales will not be effected. They suggested that it might even help their sales as, “Windows based firms to explore the Macintosh as a future platform for their design technology.” They also believe their long history on the Macintosh platform and the relationship they have with their users gives them an distinct advantage: “In 1985, our company’s founder developed our first design product on the Mac, and since then we’ve been the leader in CAD software for the Mac, hold...Read More
I thought the iPhone on verizon was too good to be true. Now, Mac supports AutoCAD…Can it be? For all of you devout Mac users, you will no longer need to run Windows (via parallels or boot camp) on your Mac in order to harness the power of AutoCAD. Autodesk announced that it has officially returned to Mac OS X after an 18 year absence. They did not stop there. Autodesk is also bringing an AutoCAD app to the iPad and iPhone that will allow users to import, modify and export CAD files on the go. They are enticing potential users with a 30-day free trial. Though, after the 30 days, you are looking at a hefty price tag of $3,995 USD (MSRP). AutoCAD offers an intuitive interface with a look and feel that will be familiar to Mac users. Related StoriesHell Freezes Over: AutoCAD Returns to M...Read More
Chapter 1 The Wonder Years When it’s gone it’s gone, But the echoes just go on and on and on. We send it out like our breath, And somebody takes it in, somebody takes it in. Carrie Newcomer, When It’s Gone It’s Gone I grew up in the 60’s and early 70’s. Television was mainstream media. Represented by the three major networks, ABC, NBC, CBS along with public television, my family was able to receive at best, four or five relatively clear channels, anything else was impossible to see through the distortion or hear over the static. It wasn’t uncommon for me to come home from school, grab a snack and perch in front of the small, portable black and white television in our den to watch a favorite program, or to sit down after dinner in the living room with my family to watch the news...Read More
The following is a post I made on MyIGN, a site for gamers. It also serves as a pretty good introduction to who I am in terms of Landscape Architecture, Design, and Technology, so here you go: I suppose I owe this post to altoidyoda and justsomedude899, along with a martini and a few High Life’s. I have been a semi-active member of the IGN community since around 2006, with a blog I started in 2007. I never posted regularly, as I suppose I’m to self conscious about my own writing abilities when I don’t have a bit of a buzz going, but I followed many of the “big time” bloggers in the old system (Reillymonster, Fozzy, Altoidyoda, Justsomedude, nextgengamer, dillaweezer, teh_red_baron, etc), and commented enough that I like to think I had a familiar face at the least. I was excited to see the ...Read More
The 3rd Annual Land8 Happy Hour went of without a hitch (minus the minor microphone mishap, haha)! The event took place at Rocket Bar in Washington, DC on September 12th, 2010. With well over 100 members in attendance, this is by far the largest event to date for the lounge. It has been very exciting to watch this community grow and have opportunities such as these for members to socialize and share their excitement for this great profession. In addition to networking, raffles, and games, the Land8 Happy Hour was also the forum for the announcement of the first ever Land8 Planting Design Contest. Please take some time to check out the winners. Finally, thanks to everyone who came out to the event! Now for some more pics from the evening: A special thanks to Chris Whitis from SitePhocus for...Read More
1st Place: Jeffery Gordon Smith – Smith Residence Congratulations to Jeffrey Gordon Smith of Paso Robles, California for winning 1st Place in the Land8 Planting Design Contest 2010! He will receive a $250 Gift Card, $500 of Monrovia plant material, and a copy of Vectorworks 2010. 2nd Place: Jane Carol Gates – Pinkle Residence Plan3rd Place: Henry Cohen – Fountain Garden at Trump Towers There were so many excellent entries that the jurors wanted to select additional projects based on the strength of their planting selections, project summary, and overall composition. Below is the Judge’s Choice Award and two honorable mentions. Judge’s Choice Award: Tim Zhang – Urban Farmland: Eye of the Ripple Tim will receive a 1-year subscription to Sitephocus.com for ...Read More