Has landscape architectures time come?

Just some of my own musings on this topic... landscape architecture always seems to be on the cusp of something great...on the cusp of being necessity in our society. The article, "City Shaping II:Will Architecture Go Horizontal"  by Charles A. Birnbaum (found here:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charles-a-birnbaum/city-shaping-ii-will-arch_b_782812.html) got me thinking about this. Doesn't there seem to be a lot of chest bumping that goes on between the professions of architecture and landscape architecture? Oftentimes there is an extreme viewpoint on both sides of an issue and no recognition that both sides have something very important and unique to offer society. Of course as the business owners of a landscape architecture firm we have our own ideas as to the important of landscape architecture. Everywhere we go we notice and remark to each other about disjointed planning, a disregard to existing conditions and a disrespect of the environment.

Personally, I feel that advances in technology, whether that be vehicles, better insulation or central heating and air conditioning has allowed us to ignore basic principles of site design that our ancestors inherently knew. Things like the placement of buildings and vegetation to harness solar energy for heat in the winter or  provide shade in the summer heat.

I appreciate the skills that landscape architecture gives us to approach the challenges our growing society places on the environment with holistic solutions such as this article suggests. The question to me is how do we get beyond the perception that we only plant shrubs?  There are many questions I can think of regarding how landscape architecture is viewed from without and within the profession. Oddly enough I think this recession offers landscape architects the chance to prove our mettle. Lets get involved in City meetings...volunteer our skills...so that when things begin to pick up people will be educated about what an LA can offer them.

Hydroponic Farming

Did you know that landscape architects can help with the site design of hydroponic farms? What a great way to produce food and cut down on water and pesticide use! Mosaic Land Design may have the opportunity to provide inventory and analysis with master planning for a hydroponic farm in the Moscow area. We will definitely keep you updated!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroponics

What is Landscape Architecture?

Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management, and stewardship of the natural and built environments. Types of projects include:

• Academic campuses
• Conservation
• Corporate and commercial
• Gardens and arboreta
• Historic preservation and restoration
• Hospitality and resorts
• Institutional
• Interior landscapes
• Land planning
• Landscape art and earth sculpture
• Monuments
• Parks and recreation
• Reclamation
• Residential
• Security design
• Streetscapes and public spaces
• Therapeutic gardens
• Transportation corridors and facilities
• Urban design
• Water resources.

Landscape architects have advanced education and professional training and are licensed in 49 states.

http://www.asla.org/AboutJoin.aspx

What exactly does Mosaic mean?

When coming up with a name for our business we knew we wanted to choose a name that represented the art and science of landscape architecture.

I found a website that does a good job of describing the complexity of a mosaic in landscape ecology.

5. 2. Patch and mosaic

See also: Patch dynamics

Patch, a term fundamental to landscape ecology, is defined as a relatively homogeneous area that differs from its surroundings. ^[5] Patches are the basic unit of the landscape that change and fluctuate, a process called patch dynamics. Patches have a definite shape and spatial configuration, and can be described compositionally by internal variables such as number of trees, number of tree species, height of trees, or other similar measurements. ^[5]

Matrix is the “background ecological system” of a landscape with a high degree of connectivity. Connectivity is the measure of how connected or spatially continuous a corridor, network, or matrix is. ^[5] For example, a forested landscape (matrix) with fewer gaps in forest cover (open patches) will have higher connectivity. Corridors have important functions as strips of a particular type of landscape differing from adjacent land on both sides. ^[5] A network is an interconnected system of corridors while mosaic describes the pattern of patches, corridors and matrix that form a landscape in its entirety. ^[5]

^{http://wapedia.mobi/en/Landscape_Ecology}

As our business matures we hope to be more involved in landscape ecology,  as we believe landscape architects should be providing leadership in wetland rehabilitation, brownfield restoration and sustainable development. Landscape architects are trained to look at landscapes holistically, using inventory and analysis to determine the design while working with various professionals to solve today's complex environmental and social issues.

The little business that could

When we entered the landscape architecture program at the University of Idaho the profession was booming. Seniors had jobs lined up six weeks ahead of graduation...it was very exciting! Fast forward to my graduation in 2009 and times had changed. Jon and I found ourselves setting goals for ourselves since we quickly realized that we could not wait for the firms to start hiring. That is how Mosaic Land Design was born and we started out being willing to do anything. One of Jon's first jobs involved trimming rose bushes! Contrary to popular belief this is not something landscape architecture students are taught to do.

Jon is a can-do guy and has managed to balance being a husband, friend, and father to five children while learning the ropes of business ownership and all that entails. You know...the fun stuff. Taxes.

Here we are almost three years later and meeting many of our goals! Jon has recently become a licensed landscape architect and let me tell you those tests are not easy. We are big dreamers and I know that we will be a successful landscape architecture firm someday. Already we are establishing a downtown presence with a location at the Moscow engineering firm Hodge and Associates on Washington St. near the Moscow Food Co-op. Jon is also partnering with Rimrock Consulting on a site design for a commercial building.

I am certain that this is just the beginning of great things for the little business that could.

Bernard Trainor: Simple

‘I see simplicity not so much as a disregard for complexity but as the clarification of the significant.’

Australian architect Glenn Murcutt

After almost a year and a half, we break ground in Pullman.

We finally broke ground on a project in Pullman, WA that we've highly anticipated and that's been a long time in the works. Tim, the homeowner has been very involved in the design process and in the selection of materials and even in the labor and I'm grateful to him for all his input. To be honest, he's a huge reason the project has turned out so well.

From the start, Tim wanted a planting design comprised almost completely of evergreens. In the selection process, I've become very aware of what's available to designers here in the west and have found some favorites that I'll definitely use again including the Low Glow Japanese Red Pine, the Thunderhead Japanese Black Pine, the Joe Kozy Japanese Umbrella Pine and the Motala Norway Spruce.

It's not a surprise that many of these plants bear oriental origins. The low lines of the house readily lend themselves to a zen like landscape with mid-modern accents and industrial hues.

I'll provide updates as the project progresses.

Here's some progress pictures:

Front Stairs