Archive for the ‘Industry News’ Category

What Does a Landscape Architect Do? – Find out on 8-17-11

by Matt Corrion

What does a Landscape Architect do? Do they dig holes? Sell flowers? Or do they just draw “pretty pictures?” The profession of Landscape Architecture has been perceived incorrectly by many and this upcoming Wednesday  that starts to change. Unknown to most, but Landscape Architecture actually requires a college degree which is a little longer than the typically 4 years. Internships are becoming the norm at universities giving students professional experience between their studies. Then even once you graduate you technically can’t even call yourself a Landscape Architect until you further your experience and pass the gauntlet that is the LARE (Landscape Architect Registration Exam).

So getting back to the original point, what does a Landscape Architecture do? Well they design and plan the environment that surrounds you. Basically everywhere you live, work and play at, has had a Landscape Architect’s touch put on it. Here are just a few examples of places that Landscape Architects create:

College Campuses
Commercial Property
Public & Therapeutic Gardens
Hotels & Resorts
Golf Courses
Parks & Recreational Areas
Residential Sites
Land Reclamation
Monuments
City Planning
Streetscapes
Transportation Corridors
Urban Environments

If you would like to see a little bit more, this video is a sample of what is to come this Wednesday 08-17-2011.  http://www.asla.org/Multimedia.aspx

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.


 

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How to Design Your Landscape to be a Sponge for Rainwater

by Matt Corrion

The following video by Brad Lancaster illustrates how much water the landscape is capable of absorbing- Check it out! I first saw Brad do a presentation a couple of years ago in Denver, and he is a really funny and effective presenter with some great ideas.

How can this be applied to our own residential and commercial landscapes?

Brad advocates a change in the way rainwater and storm drainage is thought of. Often times buildings are designed to get water to drain off of the site as quickly as possible, and into an elaborate system of storm drains. This approach treats rainwater as a nuisance, where it is not being used on the site at all. With a landscape design and drainage design that captures and directs water so that it can be used for gardens, flowers, and trees, this water can be utilized on-site as a valuable resource.

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.


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Outdoor Design Group Moves into Olde Town Arvada Office

by Matt Corrion

We are very excited to have moved into the Jehn Center in Olde Town Arvada.  Our new address is 5690 Webster Street, Arvada, CO  80002.  We have been in the new office location for about 3 weeks, and are loving the new surroundings.  It took a lot of work to pack up everything and make the move, while in the midst of the middle of summer with dozens of projects in full swing!

Below are some example graphics we are doing for of one of the many exciting new projects we are working on, a resort near Cape Coral, Florida.

Lake Resort and Hotel in Florida

Needless to say, I have been slacking on making new blog posts lately.  But please stay tuned as I have a ton of ideas for new articles full of great tips and ideas!

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.


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Plan Unveiled to Restore the National Mall in Washington DC

by Matt Corrion

old photo of national mall
After several years of planning and public input, this week the United States Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and the National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis announced an agreement on a final plan to revitalize the National Mall.  The final plan was developed after four years of input from the public, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), and other stakeholders.

According to the article released by ASLA (ASLA Advocacy Network), “the plan seeks to accomplish a number of objectives, including improving resources, public access, visitor amenities and monument preservation.”

Here are more excerpts from the article:

Some of the high priority projects include: improving the design and redevelopment of Union Square in front of the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial; replacing the Capitol Reflecting Pool with a smaller pool or fountain that could also be used as a gathering place to ease strain on the nearby trees and grass; rebuilding the Tidal Basin seawalls; creating a multi-purpose visitor center; and building more restrooms.  

The plan also calls for improved sustainability through water conservation and tree restoration.  In particular, the reflecting pools at the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol will get circulating water systems that will filter and recycle water. The gravel and aging walkways would be replaced with sustainable, low maintenance paving materials and the iconic Elm trees would be restored along with improved monitoring of all vegetation and soils. 

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.


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California Water Provider Announces New Water Conservation Rebate Programs

by Matt Corrion

Thanks to Barbara Landrith at CLCA for sharing this great article (M2 Equitybites), excerpts from which follow:

Water and wastewater services provider California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, stated on Thursday that the company and the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District will be offering more rebates for installation of water-saving appliances and water-wise landscaping, commencing this month.

Residents can earn rebates for removing lawn and replacing it with low water use plants, permeable surfaces or synthetic turf. This programme now offers $1.25 per square foot of lawn removed and replaced with low water use plants or permeable surfaces up to 5,000 square feet (an increase from 2,000 square feet). Lawn replaced with synthetic turf qualifies for an additional rebate of $2.00 per square foot up to 2,000 square feet, bringing the maximum rebate amount to more than  $10,000.

My Thoughts: Those are pretty substantial rebates.  The amounts available are higher than I have seen in the past, and would be more than enough incentive for homeowners to consider renovating their landscaping to save water.

Unfortunately, the only landscape related rebates mentioned for commercial businesses are for graywater irrigation systems.   While I applaud those efforts, a much greater opportunity for water savings for commercial properties is in offering substantial rebates to replace high water-use landscaping with more water-wise landscaping.

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.

 

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Up to $25,000 Rebates Available through 2010 Aurora Xeriscape Program

by Matt Corrion

More communities are realizing that Xeriscape (low water use landscaping) makes sense, and are actively promoting it.

low water use xeriscape

photo of a converted xeriscape that was previously a lawn area

The City of Aurora, Colorado and Aurora Water have been pioneers in water conservation through supporting regionally appropriate landscape design.  Outdoor Design Group has been actively involved with the program for the last couple of years.  For 2010, the Xeriscape Rebate program has been allocated $250,000 dollars for rebates to convert high water use landscapes (sod, turf, or lawn) to Xeriscape.

In past posts on this blog, I have documented the money and water savings and given examples of the beauty of these landscapes.  Each site is different, but in general you can expect a Read more…

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Developers turn to Uniquely Themed Communities in Difficult Housing Market

by Matt Corrion

Here are excerpts from an interesting article from USA Today (Larry Olmstead), on the trend of specialized themed communities, including several located in Colorado and the west:

Themed communities now are targeted at hunters and anglers, cyclists and equestrians, pilots and gardeners, even oenophiles. ”Developments are becoming more specialized,” says Orlando real estate broker Scott Kauffman of Golfcoursebusiness.com, an expert on master planned communities. “People have different passions.” Read more…

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Collecting Rainwater Still Illegal in Much of Colorado

by Matt Corrion

Two new legislative bills were passed in Colorado this summer that seem to be causing some confusion regarding water rights.  Senate Bill 09-080 and House Bill 09-1129 allow for the collection of rainwater- but only in very limited circumstances.

Many businesses and homeowners are looking for ways to be more sustainable, to save water, and to conserve resources to help their bottom line.  I have been surprised to find that many people are not aware that collecting rainwater- even in a simple “rain barrel” system from your roof for use in watering a garden, is illegal in Colorado.

Historical Precedent

I think the Colorado Division of Water Resources website summarizes well the historical precedent in layman’s terms:  “Colorado water law declares that the state of Colorado claims the right to all moisture in the atmosphere that falls within its borders and that ‘said moisture is declared to be the property of the people of this state, dedicated to their use pursuant’ to the Colorado constitution.  As a result, in much of the state, it is illegal to divert rainwater falling on your property expressly for a certain use unless you have a very old water right or during occasional periods when there is a surplus of water in the river system.  This is especially true in the urban, suburban, and rural areas along the Front Range.  This system of water allocation plays an important role in protecting the owners of senior water rights that are entitled to appropriate the full amount of their decreed water right, particularly when there is not enough to satisfy them and parties whose water right is junior ro them.” Read more…

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Free Day at the Denver Botanic Gardens

by Matt Corrion

This Friday, October 23rd, the Denver Botanic Gardens is having a FREE DAY, courtesy of funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District.

This would be a great time of year to experience the gardens and all of the fall colors, textures, and aromas before winter.  If you have not visited before- the DBG is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the United States.  Strolling the 23 acres of gardens is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors on your own, with families and children, or friends.

The free day will run from 9am-5pm.  For more info, visit their website at:  www.botanicgardens.org

This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects.  For more information about our business and our services, click here.

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