Can we really be sustainable?

Sustainability is something most landscape designers must keep in consideration when designing any project. But can we really be sustainable in an urban landscape? Is “sustainability” the buzz word of our age? How can we actively practice the title we have been given (stewards of the land) when we are given projects with such small pre-determined planter areas. (Like most urban commercial projects are) It’s not like we can design permaculture landscapes in all of our projects or much less in an urban setting. One approach that we have come up with LEED certification. But does getting points for planting drought tolerant plants really enough to be called sustainable and make a difference? Ian Mcharg once said that “the place where man and nature are in closest harmony is in the city cemetery”. Part of me agrees with the sardonic humor of Ian but maybe we need to focus our practice into the larger vision and the challenge of adaptation rather than the preconceived ideas of sustainability. Anyone have any thoughts on this… please share
Dana Thomas

Stupid Things in Design

The California landscape changes very little through the “seasons” as it is, but as Landscape Architects we are often always seeking that plant “gem” that is ever blooming, ever green, drought tolerant, and requires absolutely no maintenance what so ever. It seems to me that the very thing that makes the landscape so special and unique are the inherent qualities that it possesses over its rival architecture; its ability to change, evolve, and recreate itself season by season among the often (if not always) static architecture. The landscape is the one thing that has the ability to bridge the gap between humanity and the living planet. One of the stupid things that we do as Landscape Architects in the name of design; is try to place the landscape in the same box as Architecture. As if the landscape was some kind of tribute to the same false immortality that exists among the static tall buildings. Instead we should be looking for that plant that is ever changing, evolving, and recreating itself like life really does. Give the spaces that we create a chance to change.

Thoughts from Dana and Jeff Thomas