“Things just aren’t the way they used to be.” I can’t tell you how many times I have heard that recently. Well the flip side to that coin is that “things aren’t the way they are going to be.” Things change, it is a normal course of progression. The real question is how involved will you be in the determination of how things are going to be. As Landscape Architects we are always planning for the next cycle, the next generation, always looking to incorporate the positive aspects of the way things used to be with the realization that things need to evolve. We plan, we design, and we work with clients to develop the way things are going to be.
A recent local article sang the praises of the concept of Complete Streets, as a sustainable practice for now and the future. Once again Landscape Architects are shifting the paradigm of the contested ground of the urban landscape. Landscape architects are redefining the way we live in the urban, suburban and rural environments to a more sustainable and practical lifestyle. Complete streets moves forward concepts such as narrower travel lanes for cars, dedicated bike lanes, spaces for pedestrian movement and rest, trees, trees and more trees to improve air quality just to name a few. If you are working towards redefining your streetscape, constructing a single family housing complex or manipulating the built environment you will most certainly benefit from the services of a landscape architect to bring your project and thinking into this exciting and long overdue era.
As we move from summer to fall we have been enjoying some great weather here in the beautiful Berkshires and surrounding counties, we even reminisce about enjoying our pool environment, entertaining on our garden terrace under the pergola, or working in our gardens. Some of our best projects are the ones where we started the planning process in the fall of the preceding year. This adavance planning allows us to work through concepts, construction drawings, permits and contractor selection in anticipation of a spring construction commencement. Our designed projects require a significant amount of coordination and planning and the quality is demonstrated in the finished built product. The time is now.
A quick tip of the hat to Steve Jobs for changing the way people live, work and communicate; his life and his work are inspirational! What will you do today to change for the better the way people live?
This was a title in a recent NYT article and I couldn’t agree more. Landscape Architects have long been advocating for rethinking the relationship of people, housing and the community at large with respect to the built, semi built and unbuilt environment. The ASLA is and has been working on its SITES Initiative which will be incorporated into the LEED process. Landscape Architects have been planning and advocating for more Transit Oriented Development communities and we have always been stewards of the land and the preservation of Open Space. Stay tuned for future (very soon) blogs on these concepts and the concept of Landscape Urbanism.
I heard today that the rainfall to date for the season is 15″ above normal. Is this a pattern or a sign of times to come. It has become imperative that we begin to pay attention to our surroundings and how we live our life. The population will hit 7 billion very soon and our resources necessary for existence on this planet are becoming strained to say the least. We have always been conscious of our imprint on the land and now even more so. We utilize low impact development techniques, LEED strategies, energy star appliances for development. I will expand on these principles and use examples in some of my future ramblings.
The ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects) has announced this years winners of their awards. Check it out at asla.org and see why landscape architecture is quickly becoming the most important profession. Also, pay close attention to the student awards; pretty impressive stuff from our next generation.
