July 26, 2011
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in Education
The world needs to know about landscape architecture, and 08.17.11 is the day it all begins.
What if, for just one day, we all decided to let everyone know what the heck landscape architects do. That we create the very places used to live, work and play. That we connect cities. That we create experience. That landscape architecture is your environment, designed.
08.17.11 is that day. It’s the day the profession reintroduces itself to public. It’s the day where, for only your time spent during lunch, you’ll join the beginning of a new movement – a movement to step out of the Understory and tell your story to the world.
Details will arrive soon. But until then, share the movement with friends, coworkers and classmates. The public awaits.
Check out 08.17.11 on Facebook!
Check out a map of nationwide 08.17.11 Events!
Get your "Landscape Architecture: Your Environment. Designed." T-Shirt!
July 19, 2011
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in Education
via LAND E-NEWS from ASLA:
The Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) has announced changes to the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE). The changes expected to take effect in late 2012 result from the recent task analysis research, advancements in testing technology, and evolution of the marketplace. The changes to the exam will include the following:
- Minor content changes will be consistent with current landscape architectural practice.
- The content will be presented through four rather than five sections to better align with current practice, but will not reduce the content currently tested.
- All sections will be delivered entirely by computer. CLARB’s exam development committees are currently working on creating new computerized problems for the content currently tested in the graphic exams (Sections C and E) and Section D using a mix of multipleâ€choice questions and advanced item types. CLARB will not use CAD software; rather the candidate will interact with onâ€screen graphics.
CLARB encourages candidates now in the exam process to complete all sections of the current exam by the June 2012 administration to ensure that they receive credit for sections they have passed. The LARE Transition Chart identifies the ways that the existing exam sections will transition to the new exam. CLARB staff is ready to assist candidates through the transition process and to help them develop a plan for completing the exams and obtaining initial licensure prior to the transition.
Prospective licensees are encouraged to begin the exam process as soon as possible as there is ample time to complete all sections prior to transitioning to the new exam in late 2012. Completing all sections by June 2012 will also result in savings to the candidate, because the per-section cost of the new exam will increase as total costs are spread across four sections instead of five.
CLARB has developed a website to provide candidates with information to assist them in completing the current exam and to better understand the process of transition to the new exam. Candidates will find resources including a set of frequently asked questions, the transition chart, and an administration timeline for the current and new exams.
ASLA and CLARB are working together to ensure candidates have access to timely and relevant information regarding the exam and licensure process. The ASLA LARE Prep webpage will provide updated information throughout this transition, including links to the CLARB resources.
For additional information on the LARE, please contact CLARB at 571-432-0332 or visit their website at www.clarb.org.
July 19, 2011
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in Education
via Robin Gyorgyfalvy, ASLA
A ribbon-cutting event that took place on June 28, 2011 at the newly-minted Kansas Avenue Learning Garden was one of many steps being taken to make sustainability a part of daily life in central Oregon. Exactly one year ago, a design charrette led by ASLA High Desert Chapter’s Chelsea Schneider and Brian Caldwell, set out to transform a contaminated vacant lot that was formerly an old drycleaning site into a vibrant and interactive living classroom and learning garden. This challenging site is adjacent to The Environmental Center and within walking distance to the Boys & Girls Club and Amity Creek Elementary School. This unique project for teaching sustainability in an outdoor classroom was made possible through a partnership that was created between an environmental center, educators, and local landscape architects.
The main concept for the Learning Garden is to create a place where children can witness the growth of the seeds they plant and learn how gardens require care, hard work, and patience. Contact with the outdoors and making discoveries with weekly observations is a hands-on way to learn more about how communities and the environment can be sustained through growing your own food. Denise Rowcroft, sustainability educator for The Environmental Center says “It’s important that kids participate in building the garden so that they feel like they have ownership of it. We’re trying to get them involved in all aspects of the garden, from building fences, to showing them where food comes from – to teaching them about the health of the environment.â€
The design charrette began with understanding the constraints of the site, its history, and ownership. Amber Hudspeth, an environmental professional explained the pollutants and a decision was made to cap contaminants on site and to build up the garden beds. Educators were an integral part of the charrette describing what elements and features were needed to form a learning landscape to best teach in an outdoor setting. The Environmental Center needed to have this place convey its mission to “embed sustainability into daily life in central Oregon.†A wish list was composed for what would be desirable on the site, opportunities were discussed for the outdoor rooms and the different amenities in each room, and priorities were determined for phasing.
Chelsea Schneider, ASLA of WH Pacific in Bend developed conceptual images for the group to develop further. Chelsea says “With a personal interest in environmental education, it is really important for me to see that learning landscapes become a reality through a community process such as this one.†The results are stunning with volunteers providing their energy and talent, their labor, donations, and materials for construction and planting. Incredible highlights of this project are the garden art mural paintings created by the Boys & Girls Club that decorate garden boxes lining the neighborhood street and the growing plants that were started as seedlings in the Amity Elementary School classrooms. These “pick me beds†are free for the community to harvest, a great way to encourage community interaction and involvement in central Oregon at the Kansas Avenue Learning Garden located at 16 NW Kansas Avenue in Bend, Oregon.
Pictured: Chelsea Schneider, ASLA and the Garden Box Mural Paintings