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?EUR??,,????'?????<?????????????????Who is teaching design??EUR??,,????'?????<????????????????? asked Richard Vogel, a Philadelphia landscape architect, in the April 2010 LASN issue, commenting on the Feb. LASN feature ?EUR??,,????'?????<?????????????????Hardscape Gateway to the World Golf Village,?EUR??,,????'?????<????????????????? design by the Davidson Development https://landscapearchitect.com/research/article/13004
Rick Pariani, vice president of design & development for Davidson Development responds:
I was very fortunate and proud to have had one of my projects published in your superb magazine (cover project, February, 2010). I recently re-read a follow-up letter in your magazine by Mr. Richard Vogel of Philadelphia www.landscapearchitect.com/research/article/13208. Mr. Vogel described my project as ?EUR??,,????'?????<?????????????????another example of total disregard for color, texture and spatial relationship.?EUR??,,????'?????<????????????????? He went on to say that harmony was ?EUR??,,????'?????<?????????????????totally lacking.?EUR??,,????'?????<????????????????? He concluded his critique with the question, ?EUR??,,????'?????<?????????????????Where, oh where, are we headed! Who is teaching design??EUR??,,????'?????<?????????????????
For the record, I am a 1977 design graduate from the University of Georgia?EUR??,,????'?????<???????????????????????(R)?EUR??,,????'????s School of Environmental Design. Afterwards, I went on to practice environmental stewardship as a resource consultant and research specialist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. In 1982 I entered private practice with the SWA Group and became a partner, shortly thereafter. In 1993 I joined EDAW and became a partner there in 1995. From 1997 until present I have been the VP of design and development for a private real estate and land development company. In my case, I learned ?EUR??,,????'?????<?????????????????design?EUR??,,????'?????<????????????????? through education, practice, application, experience (the name everyone gives to their mistakes) and association with some of the most accomplished, recognized and celebrated landscape architects, architects, environmental graphic designers, exhibit designers and interior designers.
My practice spans 33 years (20 short of Mr. Vogel?EUR??,,????'?????<???????????????????????(R)?EUR??,,????'????s) and one thing I have learned and experienced around the world in matters of design, it is far easier to critique than create. As the sage Bill Cosby has said, ?EUR??,,????'?????<?????????????????I don?EUR??,,????'?????<???????????????????????(R)?EUR??,,????'????t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.?EUR??,,????'?????<?????????????????
Since my courtyard project was published, we have hosted numerous events at our building ?EUR??,,????'?????<???????????????????????(R)??????oe ranging from a few folks enjoying lunchtime discussions to business gatherings of over 70 participants. The courtyard is both a daytime and evening destination ?EUR??,,????'?????<???????????????????????(R)??????oe changing and animating itself with passing sunshine, refreshing rains, roaring fires and lit, soothing waters. Our courtyard is definitely a people-place, serving as picnic spot, classroom, networking venue and ?EUR??,,????'?????<?????????????????recharging station.?EUR??,,????'?????<????????????????? Not once has anyone commented that it lacks harmony or that the spatial relationships make them uncomfortable. Maybe we are inviting the wrong crowd?
I have always recognized that a desk is a dangerous place from which to view your world. Lee Iacocca said, ?EUR??,,????'?????<?????????????????Apply yourself - get all the education you can, but then do something ?EUR??,,????'?????<???????????????????????(R)??????oe don?EUR??,,????'?????<???????????????????????(R)?EUR??,,????'????t just sit there, make it happen.?EUR??,,????'?????<????????????????? I would add to that a bit of advice from Mark Twain, who said, ?EUR??,,????'?????<?????????????????Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions ...?EUR??,,????'?????<?????????????????
Rick Pariani Vice President, Design & Development Davidson Development, Inc. St. Augustine, Fla.
To comment, go to https://landscapearchitect.com/research/article/13004 and click on the ?EUR??,,????'?????<?????????????????Give us your feedback?EUR??,,????'?????<????????????????? link.
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
November 12th, 2025
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