Residential Landscape Architecture, Spring 2012

Letter from the Chair
I would like to begin by introducing myself to the Residential Landscape Architecture members I did not meet at the ASLA conference this past fall in sunny San Diego. I have been practicing residential landscape architecture since my graduation from Syracuse University’s School of Environmental Science and Forestry in 1983. I own and operate LDAW Landscape Architecture PC, a residential design/build firm in Carmel, New York. We specialize in high-end residential design and pool environments. For 27 years, I have also been an instructor in landscape design at the New York Botanical Garden’s School of Professional Horticulture in the Bronx, New York.
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Davidson Reading Garden: Reinventing an Underused Space With an Artistic Touch
Located 30 miles north of Charlotte, North Carolina is the small, southern town of Davidson, North Carolina. Home to Davidson College, the town has a Main Street, with retail, wide sidewalks, a soda shop (with real orangeades!) and a community library.
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Marketing Your Services to Maximize Your Exposure
Unfortunately, marketing is a necessary evil in our business, as in most others. Many landscape architects like me, have no training in marketing, even though we think we know how to advertise our services.
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Rethinking the Lawn: Low Water Design and Sheetmulching Can Save the Day
Water for landscape and lawn use may not be as critical an issue in other parts of the country as it is in the Western states, but the use of fertilizers and pesticides, electricity or gas to mow, and labor to care for lawns are universal issues. If you’re thinking of retrofitting an existing lawn, your options for design are many, but you still have the starting point of: “What to do to get rid of this big green carpet?”
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The “Jewel Box” Trade: Thoughts on Our Wonderful Profession
At the ASLA conference in October, the woman was handing out round green pins with “Ask Me About Landscape Architecture” printed on them. She asked if I would wear one to talk with people about what we do, and help promote our profession. Oh yes!! I love being a landscape architect and (with the possible exception of doing irrigation calculations) enjoy every aspect about it.
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Dream Home Project in Burlington County, New Jersey
Beechwood Landscape Architecture & Construction LLC (Beechwood), recently completed work on a wonderful project—a private residence on three acres of property in Burlington County in the southern part New Jersey. When my client purchased the property, it had been neglected for some time. But he and his wife could see the vision that others could were unable to imagine.
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