LAF 2018 Scholarships: Deadlines Approaching

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LAF 2018 Scholarships: Deadlines Approaching

The Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF), the leader in national scholarships for landscape architecture students, reminds students and faculty about its 2018 award opportunities with over $125,000 available. These awards support new generations of landscape architects by recognizing leadership, rewarding superior student performance, encouraging diversity, supporting original research, and assisting students with unmet financial need. Spread the word to qualified candidates! LAF Honor Scholarship in Memory of Joe Lalli, FASLA Applications due: Feb 1 This prestigious $20,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a student pursuing a Master’s degree in landscape architecture in the U.S. or Canada. Candidates should demonstrate commitment to some of the areas that Joe Lalli dedicated himself...Read More

Banyoles Old Town Redesign Highlights the Medieval Footprint of the City

The design of open-air public spaces in cities with historical backgrounds usually borrows inspiration from the past. Periods such as the Αncient Τimes, the Renaissance, and the Μiddle Αges left strong footprints in major capitals of Europe, but these periods also left their marks in smaller towns. Banyoles is one such small town in Catalonia where visitors feel like they are traveling back in time. So, it comes as no surprise that Miàs Arquitectes decided to bring back the town’s medieval character to the newly renovated town center. Their decision was based on the center’s location, surrounded by old buildings and architectural features with a strong past. Miàs Arquitectes’ design references the medieval past of the city, while also striking a balance between the functional and aesthetic...Read More

This Beautiful Model District is Raising the Quality of the Residential Market in China

Development in China is known to happen very quickly. Imagine the intensity of the design process from project conception to construction, which amplifies the importance of getting it right within a small time frame. Vanke Huafu Mansion Model District has done just that. Vanke Mansion Real Estate’s brand is one that promotes elegance and zen spirit of traditional Chinese mansions in a contemporary manner. The design direction was not only to design the low-density high quality residential development itself but also, more importantly, to design the main entrance area of a future residential community and the sales center within the ancient Chinese capital of Xi’an. Resolving practical issues of circulation satisfy the residents and visitors to the sales center. As the saying “You nev...Read More

5 Trends Shaping Landscape Architecture in 2018

By its nature, design evolves, responding to both context and conscious. Reflecting on the prestige and tumult of 2017 (there’s too many to list), has me wondering what the next iteration of landscape architecture will be. What’s on the horizon? What are the groundswell moments that will continue to gain momentum, and what are the emerging challenges that we must confront? From the continued ripples of the LAF Declaration to finding legislative footholds to the powerful Black in Design conference, 2017 was the year that landscape architects awoke to find value in participation beyond practice as well as placing continued emphasis on of the role of place in justice, economics, and environmental stability. In no particular order, here are 5 topics that are permeating the profession of landsc...Read More

What’s New in Vectorworks Landmark 2018

This September, the third annual Vectorworks Design Summit took place in Baltimore. The event, hosted near its headquarters in Columbia, MD, showcased the lineup of programs the company offers to the design world, including Landmark, their landscape-oriented platform. Similar to last year’s conference in Chicago, Land8 was there to bring you the latest from the software company as well as our take on the impact to landscape architects. This is Part II of our continuing coverage of the Vectorworks Design Summit 2017: Vectorworks Design Summit: Celebrating BIM for Landscape What’s New in Vectorworks 2018 Interview with Adam Greenspan of PWP Landscape Architecture HISTORY OF LANDMARK Back in the day, the capabilities that are now part of the Landmark program began as just a series of pl...Read More

South Park in San Francisco Succeeds as an Ecologically and Socially Sustainable Park

It could be said that Fletcher Studio’s projects are formed generally as contemporary compositions, committed to a collaborative and contextual approach to spatial design practice and to the planning of unique and sustainable living infrastructures. That uniqueness lies in sudden details that make every Fletcher Studio design very recognizable. South Park is no different; it has an authentic look and valuable contents. In addition, it is a historically significant spot in San Francisco with a distinct history of development. “It has been an invaluable experience working with the South Park Improvement Association and the community at large to rethink San Francisco’s oldest public space… We are grateful for the incredible amount of trust the community put into us that has ...Read More

Green Roof Inspiration, Innovation, and Education with Molly Meyer

When it comes to green infrastructure practice, there isn’t much Molly Meyer, GRP, LEED GA hasn’t done. A quick scan of her resume leaves no doubt as to why she succeeds as the CEO and Founder of Omni Ecosystems, a company specialized in bringing life to built environments. Meyer is particularly well trained in the realm of green roof design becoming an accredited Green Roof Professional in 2009, and through Omni, has brought innovative products to a flourishing green roof market. As an increasing amount of cities around North America begin to recognize green roof benefits trough legislation and incentives, Meyer’s skills and vision are remarkably well-timed. As an innovator, a businesswoman, a student, and much more, Meyer’s design profile is one to watch for progressive professionals wit...Read More

From Bagels to Sea Level Rise: Landscape Architects Adapt to Climate Change [Podcast]

As the host of America Adapts – The Climate Change Podcast, I have the honor of talking to some of the world’s leading experts in climate adaptation planning. Drought, sea level rise, extreme storm events – you name it, climate change is likely to make these problems worse. How is society going to adapt to these massive changes? Well, landscape architects think they may have some answers. I was fortunate to participate in the American Society of Landscape Architects Annual Meeting & EXPO in Los Angeles in mid-October and heard many of their stories. Listen to the podcast above sponsored by Anova Furnishings. Here’s a question: What does climate change have in common with bagels? I’ll explain. One of the more curious, and surprising, things I learned at ASLA 2017 is how in t...Read More

Transforming Tysons [Video]

“Why just make something, when you can create something that matters?” That’s the firm slogan that Stephanie Pankiewicz, Partner at LandDesign, considers throughout every project, and especially as she has had the opportunity to completely transform Tysons, VA. Currently known for its office parks, shopping malls, and traffic congestion, the future vision for Tysons is that of a high-density city — with walkable streets, an iconic skyline, and quality public spaces. With 14 active projects in Tysons, LandDesign is uniquely positioned to lead the city’s transformation, create something that MATTERS to the community, and set precedent for edge cities around the globe. However, communicating these large-scale changes to the many stakeholders, community members, and county officials has had it...Read More

Vectorworks Design Summit 2017: Celebrating BIM for Landscape

This September, almost 500 design industry professionals descended on the inner harbor of Baltimore for the third annual Vectorworks Design Summit. The event, hosted near its headquarters in Columbia, MD, showcased the lineup of programs they offer to the design world, including Landmark their landscape-oriented platform. Attendance was a mix of landscape architects, architects, IT tech types, and entertainment professionals. Similar to last year’s conference in Chicago, Land8 was there to bring you the latest from the software company as well as our take on the impact to landscape architects. This article is the first of a 3 part series bringing you the sights and sounds from the 2017 Vectorworks Design Summit: Vectorworks Design Summit: Celebrating BIM for Landscape Vectorworks 2018 Over...Read More

Rising from the Rubble: 1500 Design Challenges for the Emerging Future [Video]

On August 11, 2017 in Charlottesville, VA, amidst signs of hatred and spewed words of bigotry, violence erupted as white nationalists clashed with counterprotesters, leading to one person killed and 19 injured. The aftermath of the Charlottesville riot, spurred by the city’s plans to remove symbols of its Confederate past, reignited the debate over what should happen with Confederate landmarks in cities across the country. On the Land8x8 Lightning Talks stage, Harriett Jameson Brooks, landscape designer at MVLA, shared her deep connection with Charlottesville, and how she turned to her profession as she grappled with this blatant display of hate and racial tension that did not match how she saw the progressive, democratic city. Since the upheaval in Charlottesville, a movement to remove Co...Read More

Pause, Applause, Pursue

When we find the time each day to catch up on what is happening in the world, both within and outside of Landscape Architecture, many of us are guilty of the same routine – we quickly sort through the headlines of the latest tragedies, review the most current real news about fake news, find condensed versions of stories on social media to speed through, and if we are lucky, find one or two worthwhile articles to take our mind off the aforementioned. Though there may be some merit in that process, scanning headlines might not be the best process to keep us all well informed, mentally sound, and energized. As the profession prepares for the largest gathering of landscape architects in Los Angeles this week at the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Annual Meeting, I want to sugge...Read More

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