July 2007 – The Whispering Crane Institute

Random Thoughts and Sites

Links, links, links . . . a few things I have run across the past week or so that may be of interest to someone in the field of landscape design. Or; heck, anyone who has interest in stuff outdoors. Wittstock makes some changes. Greg Wittstock the owner and visionary of Aquascapes has made a… Continue reading Random Thoughts and Sites

When Rice Fields turn to Art

Using a strain of rice called Kodaimai the farmers in the town of Inakadate in the prefecture of Aomori create some fascinating works of art. I would call it the Japanese version of crop circles that we see here in the corn fields of America. Except this looks more like art and less like geometry.… Continue reading When Rice Fields turn to Art

An Appreciation of Stone (32)

Lots of ways to build retaining walls for raised beds-I think this is a good one: [Briarhill wall, concrete pavers, 6 months in the ground.] I designed and built this several years ago in South Carolina, before this it was a gravel parking lot.

Large Residential Case-Study (4)

We move on through the front gate to get you to the walkway and seating area located by the front door. This small raised section for a small table was entirely my idea, and was not even hinted at by the homeowner. [Pencil sketch of walk to front door.] Technically* . . . I… Continue reading Large Residential Case-Study (4)

Large Residential Case-Study (3)

The 2 renderings below are part of the continuing series. This is a series of post to bring you along through the process of doing a design for this residence. Beyond just showing the conceptual renderings, but how I see the potential space(s) in this landscape. [About the 4th attempt at an entry gate.] The… Continue reading Large Residential Case-Study (3)

An Appreciation of Stone (31)

[One of “a lot” of random piles of old curbstone.] Couple of weeks ago I went off to look at a small pile of curbstone. We had hoped to find enough to put in several sets of steps and landings. What I found went way beyond that. I hit the semi-motherlode, a mini-jackpot. This guy… Continue reading An Appreciation of Stone (31)

New York Times-Wrong Again

This is so ridiculous a statement I don’t know whether to be mad or cry, or have a stiff drink-I think I’ll have a stiff drink: Landscape professionals rely on computer programs “100 percent,” most often choosing Rhinoceros or Maya, according to Mark Thomann, design director at Balmori Associates, a Manhattan-based landscape architecture firm. The… Continue reading New York Times-Wrong Again

Large Residential Case-Study (2)

[the ”before picture”] [What it could look like-2 walls, and paved] More about this in the next post-deadlines to meet . . .

Large Residential Case-Study (1)

This is the 1st of several drawings on this very complicated piece of property. I am going to go through the series of drawings and rehash conversations with the homeowner. 1st problem was how to lower the drive to get into garages-especially the garage door on the right. Tight angle and tough slope. This discrepancy… Continue reading Large Residential Case-Study (1)