International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA)’s Post

This article highlights a discussion hosted by the Olmsted Network, landscape architecture leaders like Kate Orff and Thomas Woltz explored the future of their field. They emphasized the need for landscape architects to tackle global challenges, including climate change, environmental degradation, and social equity. Orff stressed the importance of shifting the profession toward policy and decision-making roles to lead in reversing past planning mistakes. Woltz highlighted the role of landscape architects in addressing historical and ecological issues through landscape design, transforming spaces into enduring, educational, and community-centered sites. American Society of Landscape Architects CEO Torey Carter-Conneen noted that clear, relatable language is key to communicating the field’s value to the public. Public education, stewardship, and long-term restoration projects, such as SCAPE’s Tom Lee Park in Tennessee and Woltz's Orongo Station in New Zealand, were presented as models for future projects. The panel concluded that landscape architects must take a bold, forward-thinking approach to shape sustainable landscapes for future generations. https://lnkd.in/gs7wwqHt

TEACHING IS A TWO WAY THING and in the Softscape Matters lectures it’s three ways and more… During the discourse I urge landscape architects to resist providing too much planting information on planning drawings. Not only is planting detail out of kilter with with RIBA work stages and out of sequence with the rest of the design team but… the minute a few latin names appear on a drawing some developers seem to be under the impression they have the planting plans and send them out to tender. As a result, landscape contractors receive inadequate information to submit a price and yet someone is always prepared to do the work, often badly and with no landscape architect for them to ask questions or to check soil preparation or plant quality. Through the lectures/presentations/questions/discussions and light bulb moments, it transpires that this scenario happens far more often than we thought and particularly so in parts of the volume housebuilding sector. It seems that landscape architects are fairly often not appointed beyond planning but are coerced into producing quite a lot of planting detail. Just one small aspect of what we cover in the lectures but something that needs to be discussed further and resolved between Landscape Institute British Association of Landscape Industries Royal Town Planning Institute Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Home Builders Federation We would be interested to hear from both landscape architects and contractors, and indeed anyone else, for whom this strikes a chord.

Call for 2024 Conference Session Proposals! The Washington Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (WASLA) is issuing a Call for Educational Session Proposals for the 2024 Annual Conference, themed Current(s). The conference will be held this September at the Spokane Convention Center. Amidst our ever-shifting environments and climate, landscape architecture serves as a beacon of adaptability and innovation. The theme of WASLA's 2024 conference, Current(s), explores our collective journey in negotiating the dynamic forces that previously carved and presently shape our ecologies, our practices, and our communities. As stewards of the land, we embrace these synergies to craft sustainable solutions that harmonize human needs with ecological integrity. Together, let us navigate these currents towards a greener, more resilient future that elevates our profession and communities. Help us navigate the Current(s)! Submit your proposal to explore how landscape architecture can create a more sustainable future. We are seeking energized speakers in a variety of formats: Panel discussions with moderators Roundtables Presentations/lectures with Q&A Design conversations Walking tours* (subject to feasibility) Submissions: Deadline: Friday, July 12, 2024, at 5:00 PM PDT Submission form: https://lnkd.in/gGAcbD_t Length: 60 minutes (50 minutes presentation/workshop + 10 minutes Q&A) Audience: Approximately 200 engaged attendees 2024 Conference Theme: Current(s) This year's theme, Current(s), explores our profession's role in navigating the ever-shifting currents of our environment and climate. We invite proposals that address: Adaptability and innovation in landscape architecture The dynamic forces shaping our ecologies, communities, and practices Sustainable solutions that harmonize human needs with ecological integrity Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LA CES): WASLA is an approved LA CES provider. We will assist presenters in meeting LA CES requirements and registering sessions on the national database. Conference Registration for Presenters: All presenters must register for the conference as either "speaker only" (free) or full-conference attendees. Lead presenters will receive further instructions upon selection. Questions? Contact us at info@wasla.org or 360.867.8820. We look forward to receiving your proposals!

When do you need a Landscape Architect? In our latest advice blog. Tom Lonsdale explains why and when you might need a Landscape Architect and the value they can provide to a project. Especially new build projects. Read the blog on our website. #sheffieldarchitect #landscapearchitect #retrofit #homeimprovments #residentialarchitecture #housetohome #homedesign #homeinspo #lowenergyhome #newbuild #renovation #homerenovation #housedevelopment #sustainabledesign

This book captures the essence of how the world is designed around us. A global and influential group of landscape architects will divulge fascinating details about their work - including their inspirations and design processes - as well as debate the key issues for landscape architects today and in the future. It is interesting and perfectly 👇🏻

Unlocking the Power of Constructive Drawings in Landscape Architecture

I am excited to share I am transitioning my company Wind River Landscape from landscape design and construction to landscape design. Landscape Architecture is an art form and science.

When is an architectural project finished? When the paint has dried and the contractor has vacated the construction site? Or when the 'users' have moved in? Or, zooming out even more, when the ambition behind the design is starting to become evident, even if that means you have to wait another year, or more? In the case of our work on the main building at Vijfsluizen, the latter is the case. Like all parts of the area, we have worked closely together with the landscape architect Patrick Ruijzenaars to integrate buildings and landscape to a coherent whole. With the phased development of the area, the landscape will remain unfinished for some time (and it will take a lot longer until the trees will have grown to their full size). The image below showes the status of a few months ago, with construction on the building itself almost finished. More images will follow later.

What separates RISE from other landscape contractors? Well one thing the contractors, landscape architects, and homeowners appreciate is we spec only the highest quality material for our jobs going above and beyond on quality and health of plant and size. If it’s not to our standards it does not come to our jobsite. This allows for full realization of a landscape vision and the proper bones for a landscape that will be beautiful and healthy for years to come.

Kathryn Gustafson, Founding Partner was recently interviewed by RIBA Journal on her thoughts about Landscape Architecture. She says “Our approach is that everything that is open to the sky is landscape – I like to use the phrase ‘the sky is mine’. Once you think about it as a more global piece, landscape architecture is the most fascinating thing in the world.” You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/d36S7PdF