Landscape Architect Articles

LASN Letters January 200701-03-07 | News

Jeff Tandul wrote in on Dec. 11 with a comment re ?EUR??,,????'??Stadium for Historic Olmsted Park??EUR??,,????'?? (Nov. LASN, p. 87)

Nov. 2006 LASN

First, thank you for bringing this issue to the attention of the landscape architecture profession in the November issue of LASN. The continuing pressure of built structures is not uncommon and a major problem. As a commissioner on the Union County N.J. Parks Advisory Commission for the last county park system designed by the Olmsted firm (primarily by the successor firm and Olmsted?EUR??,,????'???s son), I see these issues all the time. Usually, it is the placement of slightly less intrusive structures, such as permanent baseball diamonds, or other recreational facilities in areas intended to serve as open meadows.

The idea of placing a major stadium in this Chicago park would be a terrible travesty. As all LAs know, Olmsted designed parks in such a way that they would benefit everyone. The idea was that users would bring their equipment (picnic, sports, etc.). They would set up for a few hours or the day, and then be removed afterwards so that everyone could enjoy the open green spaces with loosely defined vegetated edges. I truly hope that Mayor Daly and the other ?EUR??,,????'??powers that be?EUR??,,????'?? reconsider this plan and opt for another more appropriate location. Such a structure will only invite others and forever alter the character of the Olmsted design irreparably and not for the better.

Jeffrey Tandul, CLA, ASLA, M.Arch.
Commissioner
Union County, N.J. Parks Advisory Commission

George Pellettieri, ASLA wrote in with a comment on Dec. 8 re ?EUR??,,????'??The Beauty of Brick, or More Asphalt?EUR??,,????'?? (Dec. LASN, p. 22) and re ?EUR??,,????'??Euro vs. U.S. Hardscapes?EUR??,,????'?? (Nov. LASN, p. 22 news item in which architect Roger Lewis cites design shortcomings of U.S. hardscapes, compared to Europe?EUR??,,????'???s).

I mostly agree with professor Lewis, especially with regard to public spaces and also the degree of detailing. Another news item in your publication (?EUR??,,????'??Beauty of Brick?EUR??,,????'??) provides a perfect example and illustration of his point. In Fort Wayne, Ind., when faced with the dilemma of reconstructing the historic hardscapes on Wilt Street, the same question arises?EUR??,,????'??+?EUR??,,????'??Should the historic hardscape be reconstructed of the same material??EUR??,,????'?? The deciding factor is ?EUR??,,????'??.... whether to foot the bill for that yesteryear look (expense and longevity) vs. asphalt (cheaper, shorter life span)?EUR??,,????'??. For many U.S. public projects, the question of cost outweighs the issue of aesthetics.

Of course, as with most discussions of this type, the answers are not quite so simple. For example, many prominent European public spaces were constructed centuries ago when labor was less costly, lawsuits for injuries were nonexistent and technology had not produced the array of materials available today. However, when spaces are renovated, the natural, long-lasting materials can most often be recycled and used again in the reconstructed project. In the U.S., we jackhammer out the old pavement and put in all shiny new materials that lack the character and appeal of aged pavements.

Alternatively, we use something like tumbled pavers to achieve the aged appearance.

Finally, the European spaces have the added benefit of being surrounded by centuries old buildings that add considerably to the overall character and ambiance.

George Pellettieri, ASLA
Landscape Architect
Warner, N.H.

Jeff Stap wrote in on Dec. 20 with a comment re the Dec. 2006 cover

Dec. 2006 LASN

I just received my December issue of Landscape Contractor (and Landscape Architect). Exactly what kind of statement are you trying to make with the cover? The President, the capitol, a tank, and a star all on the same cover? I find your blatant association between Republicans (Christians) and the Iraq war to be offensive and in poor taste.

Jeff Stap
Landscape Architect
GREENSWARD LANDSCAPING

Publisher?EUR??,,????'???s response:

Thanks for your readership and response?EUR??,,????'???

Just so you know?EUR??,,????'??? On every December cover for the past 20 years we have had a collage of three elements: 1) something Christmas (the star); 2) something landscape (snow-covered mountain scene); and 3) something political (this year we have a collage within a collage with a tank from the war, which is at the root of the shift of power at the Capitol, highlighted by Bush and Nancy Pelosi).

I?EUR??,,????'???m sorry, but I don?EUR??,,????'???t know where the blatant association between Christians and the war occurs other than in your interpretation?EUR??,,????'???

George Schmok
Publisher

Mike Thomas wrote in with a comment on Dec. 7 re ?EUR??,,????'??Greenroofs & Wind?EUR??,,????'?? (Dec. LASN, p. 74 and on landscapeonline.com)

Last year at a conference a representative of Bonita Bay Group, I believe, showed slides of a green roof on a new maintenance building at (I think) a golf course North of Naples, Fla. It survived Hurricane Charlie (category 4) with no damage, while conventional roofs on other structures at the facility were heavily damage or destroyed. The University of Central Florida was involved in the project as part of a study of green roofs.

Mike Thomas
Engineer for FDEP
Tallahassee, Fla.

I had the opportunity to have Kelly James guide me and another landscape architect from Portland, Oregon, George Lozovoy, up Mt. Rainer in 1998. It was through Kelly?EUR??,,????'???s encouragement that I was able to reach the top on what was an arduous climb. We summited on a glorious sunny day that I will always remember.