You are currently browsing the monthly archive for June, 2007.
72 yr. old beats up 27 yr. old . . . justifiably:
[Here's the story . . .]
I’m outta’ here. See you on Monday or Tuesday. . . . . . . . edit: or Friday!
Here are two images of details from the previous post. The top rendering is a detail of the right side-people included. The bottom drawing shows the left side of the plaza/pergola:
[Simple people, and little detail on the plantings]
[Showing brick on the columns, and the bench relationships]
So what happened on this project. Well this idea came out of left field but they liked it so much that it is going to be added to the complex, after the 3rd building has been put in.
The main structure will probably be added to a plaza that will connect all 3 buildings.
If you look on the bottom drawing you can see where I have rendered in a set of steps. This will be the location for the new plaza area.
As usual there are other forces involved when dealing with this many people.
The best a designer can do is design the best space they can, and then hold on.
Too many cooks do spoil the broth.
What I am trying to say is that you can’t let your design be piece-mealed apart. If one element exist to support or enhance another you must explain this the best way you can.
The reasoning behind why this bench(for example) is here on this side and not over on that side.
Go through which design principles are in play on this particular project . . . hopefully some design principles are in play!
It’s a challenge, but the fact is, this is a great “job” and I feel very lucky to have been “shown the way”.
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Addendum: The posting has been very erratic and there are two reasons for that. Right now I am very busy(thankfully) and 2nd: well the 2nd reason is a little different . . . lets just say it is the level of internet service provided to me by Time Warner Cable . . . and leave it at that.
In the previous post several objectives were mentioned for the next drawing of the(I’ll call it) plaza/pergola area:
This questioning and working through logistics led to me being asked if I could tweak this drawing some.
- Could I show it with brick columns?
- Could I show it with the overhead in white? Leading to what material could this be made out of?
- Could I show different style paving?
- The next drawing would also need to be good enough to show to some other folks not in the room . . . ah ha, now we were really getting somewhere.
Based on the above request this is what I came up with:
[Plaza area with pergola and wall seating.]
Brick columns, white overhead, cleaner paving, etc. I took this photo before I added labeling to drawing, a drawing where very little labeling was required. What they asked me to render seems pretty “cut&dry”.
My guess is that will not go in here, but will eventually go back in further. Look down the main walk and at the end you will see where I rendered in some paving and steps-this is to show the possibility of a plaza there.
Another building is to be added behind and this(plaza) would be the ideal way to connect them via the ground plane. This also seems a more convenient way to design a “collecting point” for those living in the 3 buildings.
We shall see; heck, they may want the space up front as I have drawn it and one in between the buildings . . . all it takes is the time, the inclination, and the funding to make it happen.
The decision now is for the powers to be to decide on what type of atmosphere they want to create. then make that happen. My drawings(conceptuals) are part of that decision making process.
I’m curious and at the same time have been around long enough to know that if my idea is rejected to not take it personally-this drawing was met with great enthusiasm at the time of presentation, but others are now involved in the final yes/no.
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It just occurred to me:
This is a lesson for young designers to take away. To do the best you can, (1.)*use your skills, the (2.)*site(requirements) and the (3.)*clients needs/wants and come up with the best solution. Present them rationally and professionally, explaining which design principles were used(and why they were used), and how you came to your solution.
Your work will be judged on your work, not on a personality issue. BUT, and it’s a big BUT, be nice, be professional, and be likable-not an ass-kisser, but likable. You’ll find people like to listen to likable people a lot more than folks they don’t like. If you are likable, you’ve paid attention to the Design Triangle, and your presentation is thoughtful, rational, and logical you’ll go pretty far.
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*I’ve written about this several times on this Blog about the Desgin Triangle, or the Accord Triangle:
- The Designer: What he/she brings to the table; their experience, their skills, their time in life(how have you lived?, what have you seen?, where have you been?), your “collective” education.
- The Site: its requirements, what’s it for? who’s it for? How will it be used? sun, soil, light, water, etc.
- The Client: their needs, their wants and wishes, hopes, dreams, . . . and desires. But it starts with need and goes from there.
This is another pergola drawing for an area between 2 small apartment buildings. One unit holding 6 apartments, and the other 10. It was easy to see on the initial visit there was no place to gather.
There needs to be a place where these students could spend some time together outside . . . not only that, the place was just screaming for some kind of focal to pull the place together. Something to knock down the harshness of a row of apartments. It was asked of me to come up with some solution to the accepted. To go beyond the norm.
[Initial concept drawing to show the client]
This was the drawing that was shown to the client. From here alll sort of suggestions, comments, and questions were asked.
- How big? . . . “How big do you want it“
- How tall? . . . “How tall can we make it, does there need to be a minimum“
- Square footage? . . . “How much do you need, how about each front quadrant 12×12“
- Material of overhead, type(s) of post, and on and on.
One of the questioners even asked me if I was troubled by the questions. To the contrary all the questions indicated great interest and enthusiasm for the idea . . . I thought it was great-still do.
This questioning and working through logistics led to me being asked if I could tweak this drawing some.
- Could I show it with brick columns?
- Could I show it with the overhead in white? Leading to what material could this be made out of?
- Could I show different style paving?
- The next drawing would also need to be good enough to show to some other folks not in the room . . . ah ha, now we were really getting somewhere.
Next I will get into the pergola drawing that was asked for out of this concept meeting.
[A church in Barnesville, Ohio]
3 stages of a drawing for a proposed residential water feature. It started with a photograph from the site and goes from there.
[red pencil, and light colors for stone and tree trunks]
[black line on stone, and color for supporting plants]
[sky(rough), final black lines, and labeling]
This is one half of a larger presentation given to a client(residential) For a water feature on the “far” side of the back yard.
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Addendum: The quality of the images is not what I hoped for. These drawings were shot with a digital camera and then uploaded, then compressed and uploaded to the site. The lighting in my work space is from two different types of light sources-which does not make for great images.
[Original-0ne of few times I actually drew on the print-out]
There is a great read on the history of Japanese-Americans and their influence(s) on the gardening culture in and around Los Angeles.
[photo from the story]
Included is the history of how it started, the interruption of WWII, and the demise of Japanese-Americans in the landscaping field today. This link will take you to the print page.
For all its subtlety, the classic Japanese garden can be downright
cocky. It aims to do no less than “capture the whole universe of nature
in a small scale,” says Uesugi. So you don’t need a spare park or
waterfall in your backyard to capture the magic.
Info is also included on the exhibition titled: “Landscaping America: Beyond the Japanese Garden” at the Japanese American National Museum, 369 E. First St., Los Angeles
[fun stuff at Etsy, I like her style]
[ 3buildings . . . 3 separate solutions. ]
The lower rendering is the one I had previously posted. the ones above flank this middle building. Left and right respectfully. The idea presented to me was “come up with 3 separate landscape-give each building it’s own identity.”
Being built at the same time, for the same function-upper class housing, yet trying to create separate identities.
The concepts are on vellum and trace, I even go wider than the picture when rendering. I see myself doing more and more of this . . . going beyond the lines.
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Addendum: Deadlines are a crazy thing, especially when you have to have a lot of concepts(in full color) to show a group of decision-makers. Lots of boards full of drawings. This is the way to get the greatest amount of feedback from those looking to have the work done . . . . back to the drawing board. I’ll surface when I can . . .
[A marker rendering before any labeling]
New plantings, new surface, more pots, space for bench and pots, trees for background and shade. middle step removed(too small) and a much deeper ‘landing type’ step to be put in.
Pavers and something for the new walkway. The house looks a little Tudor style but is a ‘bastardized’ collection of a few other styles thrown in.
That’s all-back to meeting deadlines . . .
[Rendering shows 4-5 different types of grasses for Apt. Building]
This is a drawing to be shown during the concept(s) meeting to give the client an idea of what could happen if they choose to go with this style(presented in drawing) . . . renderings like this are(in my mind) to suggest possibilities . . . which create great dialogue between the client and designer.
With open dialogue better results are always achieved, the client is part of the process-not the end of the process.
When they are involved this way they almost never say no to the final drawings because being part of the process makes the final drawings(their drawings) . . . a plan of their ideas. More time involved/invested, greater ownership in the end master plan.
The Designer has put their vision on paper . . . how could they say no? Even if it is over their initial budget? . . . it’s what they want.
A segment of customers doesn’t rank price first when determining products or projects. They rank what they want(their desires), their comfort, the quality of materials and work above price in making these decisions.
I could never say enough how important these conceptuals are in the design process.
Sometimes you just come across something so weird, or so interesting you just feel compelled to post it on your Blog.
So, if your hungry does this make you hungrier? Or should I ask if you will ever look at a hamburger the same way again? Maybe I should ask . . . will you ever look at ketchup and mustard the same way again?
[From a Chinese web-site]
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Addendum: Deadlines, I am under big deadlines and big demand to have stuff done, which we all know is usual in the business. I’m sure the Blog will always fall a little behind this time of year.
Pergola’s:
Continue to be the number one search term on this Blog, anyone in the field want to hazard a guess why this is so. Why not pavers? and stone work? stone walls? or arbors? Why pergola’s?
My hope is to use this site to spread some info about the art and practice of Landscape Design. It is a very misunderstood profession; I do not cut grass like the next door neighbor's cousin who carries 3 mowers and a blower in the back of his truck.
I will also pass along comments on industry happenings, events, etc., and any maybe a few other adventures going on in my world-after all this is "my" blog. Thanks for stopping by and taking a look. Questions? Drop me an e-mail.
rick (at) whisperingcraneinstitute (dot) com
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