I came across these video diaries by Michael Van Valkenburgh as he tours the unfinished site of his firm's Brooklyn Bridge Park, the plaza at the Boston Children's Museum, and Central Park. These are some pretty interesting videos as you listen to him describe the spaces and the future of his design. This is a great way for residents to feel connected to the park even before its built and for all to get a glimpse of some of the construction. All the videos can be found on the WNYC Youtube page.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
LA Club
For those that missed last night's LA Club meeting here is a quick overview of what went down:
First, for those that have still not paid their first payment for the Boston trip, please give your $75 to Pam before the end of this week. (cash or check)
Second, the LA club t-shirt designs are due by next wednesday. Designs may be either hand drawn or computer animated. There is no limit to the number of designs one person could hand in.
Third, there is a possible NYC walk in the works. This includes a walk from tip to tip led by Dr. David Tulloch. The trip, if in the fall, may be around November. This is a great chance to learn new and exciting things about the city in a way you may have never thought.
Fourth, the club is currently looking for fundraising ideas. Some current thoughts are hosting a shadow day or portfolio night. Other ideas are maybe a plants walk or some sort of event at Rutgers Garden.
Fifth, students are encouraged to become Student ASLA members. The fee is $50 a year but you gain membrship and receive the monthly Landscape architecture magazine. The magazine is a great source for top news and the latest designs, and at times our own Staff can be seen in the magazine, Dr. Tulloch and Dean Cardasis have both been seen in the magazine.
Students can attempt to apply for the membership here:
http://www.asla.org/ISGWeb.aspx?loadURL=siguse
or if that isn't working then mail in a subscription here:
http://www.asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=1062
First, for those that have still not paid their first payment for the Boston trip, please give your $75 to Pam before the end of this week. (cash or check)
Second, the LA club t-shirt designs are due by next wednesday. Designs may be either hand drawn or computer animated. There is no limit to the number of designs one person could hand in.
Third, there is a possible NYC walk in the works. This includes a walk from tip to tip led by Dr. David Tulloch. The trip, if in the fall, may be around November. This is a great chance to learn new and exciting things about the city in a way you may have never thought.
Fourth, the club is currently looking for fundraising ideas. Some current thoughts are hosting a shadow day or portfolio night. Other ideas are maybe a plants walk or some sort of event at Rutgers Garden.
Fifth, students are encouraged to become Student ASLA members. The fee is $50 a year but you gain membrship and receive the monthly Landscape architecture magazine. The magazine is a great source for top news and the latest designs, and at times our own Staff can be seen in the magazine, Dr. Tulloch and Dean Cardasis have both been seen in the magazine.
Students can attempt to apply for the membership here:
http://www.asla.org/ISGWeb.aspx?loadURL=siguse
or if that isn't working then mail in a subscription here:
http://www.asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=1062
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Study Abroad:Gardens and Landscapes of Italy
Every Wednesday at 3:55 the Cook Douglass Lecture Hall hosts presentations organized by the Rutgers Landscape Architecture program. Most of the time these lectures are presented by renowned advocates of our discipline or other professionals related to other aspects of the industry.
Today 8 students, Mike, Sarah, Rebecca, Jenna, Zeina, Ty, and myself presented our Italy Study Abroad presentations. Of course the trip was a wonderful experience with many sights and views. Our instructor during the trip, Ari Novy, was a valuable resource filled with knowledge about the Tuscan landscape and Italian culture. During the second half of our trip, Carla Tiberi, joined our group and shared her knowledge of Italy and its history.
The presentations started with a quick overview of each of our 25 days in Italy. The beautiful Medici gardens, the Etruscan and Roman ruins, and historic urban layouts were displayed wonderfully through each slide, teasing the imagination of viewers to want to see more and hopefully encouraging them to consider a study abroad trip.
Following the slides each of us presented our research topics while on the trip.
I started with my topic, Sustainability in the Italian Landscape, and discussed the meaning of sustainability and gave examples found in the country. Mike gave an overview of some of the many Cathedrals, their architecture, and designers. Sarah gave a great talk about Garden Restoration and left those in the audience with questions about deciding how to fully restore a garden that has been changed through the years and where our role as landscape architects is located when it comes to altering a historic design to advocate for new concepts such as sustainability. Rebecca presented us with a couple of Medici Gardens and talked about their history. Jenna took us through the evolution of Torino, from its Roman Origins to its Contemporary Realities. Zeina discussed Torino as a Winter Olympic City in 2006 and why it was chosen. Ty concluded the presentations with his talk on the Lunnetes drawn for the Medici’s by Glusto Utens.
Hopefully today’s presentations left the audience wanting more and encourages some to travel to Italy or encourages students to sign up for any other study abroad trip. Good job to all the presentors today.
Today 8 students, Mike, Sarah, Rebecca, Jenna, Zeina, Ty, and myself presented our Italy Study Abroad presentations. Of course the trip was a wonderful experience with many sights and views. Our instructor during the trip, Ari Novy, was a valuable resource filled with knowledge about the Tuscan landscape and Italian culture. During the second half of our trip, Carla Tiberi, joined our group and shared her knowledge of Italy and its history.
The presentations started with a quick overview of each of our 25 days in Italy. The beautiful Medici gardens, the Etruscan and Roman ruins, and historic urban layouts were displayed wonderfully through each slide, teasing the imagination of viewers to want to see more and hopefully encouraging them to consider a study abroad trip.
Following the slides each of us presented our research topics while on the trip.
I started with my topic, Sustainability in the Italian Landscape, and discussed the meaning of sustainability and gave examples found in the country. Mike gave an overview of some of the many Cathedrals, their architecture, and designers. Sarah gave a great talk about Garden Restoration and left those in the audience with questions about deciding how to fully restore a garden that has been changed through the years and where our role as landscape architects is located when it comes to altering a historic design to advocate for new concepts such as sustainability. Rebecca presented us with a couple of Medici Gardens and talked about their history. Jenna took us through the evolution of Torino, from its Roman Origins to its Contemporary Realities. Zeina discussed Torino as a Winter Olympic City in 2006 and why it was chosen. Ty concluded the presentations with his talk on the Lunnetes drawn for the Medici’s by Glusto Utens.
Hopefully today’s presentations left the audience wanting more and encourages some to travel to Italy or encourages students to sign up for any other study abroad trip. Good job to all the presentors today.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Ocean Conservancy
Last year Ocean Conservancy had around 400,000 volunteers collect more than 6.8 million pounds of trash in 100 countries during the 2008 International Coastal Cleanup. The conservancy conducts a tight inventory on its clean up and this year they are hoping to do an even better job. Last years data provides interesting results. To sign up for a clean up near you click here. Most of the dates available on the Jersey Shore are on October 24th. If anyone is interested to join me I signed up for the Sandy Hook clean up that day.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Google Map Tool
Here is a fun(I use the term very loosley) “google map tool” that allows you to depict sea level rise up to 14 meters anywhere in the world. If I thought my professor David Tulloch loved maps here is the blog where I found the link this guy is really a “cartophiliac”.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Our "Home"
Last night Rutgers held a special viewing of the documentary “Home”. Directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, who is best known for his breathtaking aerial photographs, this was truly an eye opening film. The music by Armand Amar played a powerful role and combined with the incredible scenes and shots, captured the heart of this viewer.
The documentary discussed many of today's environmental issues and the historical events that lead to this point in time. The idea of humanity and man's role in the environment versus man's actual actions and decisions is an important and essential topic that must be addressed. With nation's spending billions on military and with modern civilizations extracting almost every bit of natural resources and releasing harmful by-products into the atmosphere I question "What is truly important to us as a species and where do our values lie?" Hearing about countries such as Costa Rica, who eliminated their military and knowing that slowly new technologies are taking form to replace unsustainable methods keep me optimistic.
Here is a link to the movie, I recommend all to watch.
“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU”
The documentary discussed many of today's environmental issues and the historical events that lead to this point in time. The idea of humanity and man's role in the environment versus man's actual actions and decisions is an important and essential topic that must be addressed. With nation's spending billions on military and with modern civilizations extracting almost every bit of natural resources and releasing harmful by-products into the atmosphere I question "What is truly important to us as a species and where do our values lie?" Hearing about countries such as Costa Rica, who eliminated their military and knowing that slowly new technologies are taking form to replace unsustainable methods keep me optimistic.
Here is a link to the movie, I recommend all to watch.
“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
ERROR
Errors, glitches, systems freezing, and lagging programs... we all have at least at one point had to deal with these technical issues. A new book“Glitch: The Design of Imperfection” has found the beauty in these glitches. So when your up all night working on a project and the computer starts defecting try to remember that this is just a 21st century technological artform artform taking place in front of you.
I guess the next time I make a mistake I'll just blame it on the beauty of my imperfection.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Really Green Power
Researchers have discovered that they are able to measure and attain electrical power found in plants, primarily trees. Although the millivolts that plants produce isn't nearly enough to power most of our electronics today the Univeristy of Washington is working on new technologies that could tap into that energy source.
"Tree power is unlikely to replace solar power for most applications, Parviz admits. But the system could provide a low-cost option for powering tree sensors that might be used to detect environmental conditions or forest fires. The electronic output could also be used to gauge a tree's health" (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908151330.htm) Looks like we'll have to wait a little longer until we can charge our cell phones at our local street tree.
"Tree power is unlikely to replace solar power for most applications, Parviz admits. But the system could provide a low-cost option for powering tree sensors that might be used to detect environmental conditions or forest fires. The electronic output could also be used to gauge a tree's health" (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908151330.htm) Looks like we'll have to wait a little longer until we can charge our cell phones at our local street tree.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Quotes
I have always enjoyed a good quote and the rush it seems to give your mind. I'll try to post good quotes as I find them and or remember them. I would like the blog to become more interactive with fellow classmates so feel free to submit any good quotes or stories to share with others.
"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them."
- George Bernard Shaw
"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them."
- George Bernard Shaw
Friday, September 11, 2009
Floods Unearth Mistakes
A mixture of powerful flash flood storms, poor urban planning, and construction on flood plains opened the gates for deadly flooding in Instanbul, Turkey earlier this week. Water levels rose drowning many cars and leaving at least 31 killed. Its incidents similar to this that bring to light the poor decisions being made both by developers and government officials. We live in a time where more people are living in cities than in rural areas and even the UN estimates that by 2050, "70 percent of people will live in cities, making the size of the world's urban population equal to the entire population in 2004 (approximately 6.3 billion). (Eric Sanderson - Mannahatta) This should be a period of time where nations are inspecting, analyzing, and redesigning our urban mega-cities in order for them to be secure for future generations. Steps are being taken and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs just issued the World Economic and Social Survey 2009: Promoting Development and Saving the Planet. Rather than tackling on the two subjects separately they have provided an integrated approach based on sustainable development. These are the types of decisions that must now be carefully and quickly carried out. These are the types of decisions we don't want to ignore so others aren't left mourning over accidents that could have been prevented like the Turkish citizens are now.
Picture Courtesy of www.nationalpost.com
Picture Courtesy of www.nationalpost.com
Stepping Way Back
With all the research being collected and the layers of maps being created it seems like Cape May is all I have been staring at. I'm sure some of my classmates feel the same way as well. Rather then staring down onto Cape May lets turn the cameras around for a second. Here are some brand new images from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-amp-space/gallery/2009-09/gallery-best-hubbles-comeback-tour
Its always good to step away from something occasionally to refresh our minds.
Its always good to step away from something occasionally to refresh our minds.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Maps
This semester my studio class has been using the ArcGIS program to design maps that illustrate some of the preliminary data we have gathered on Cape May County. (Slowly I am discovering a new LA addiction creeping up). As frustrating as the program can be, its possibilities and functions appear endless. Cartography can be traced back to the Babylonians in around 2000 BC and historically has been a powerful tool. Today maps can be designed to deliver geographic information based on almost any type of attribute data. The possibilites have become endless and very entertaining as well.
Just recently a friend of mine, Stephen Somers, sent me a link to map charting the Seven Deadly Sins in the US, designed by team at Kansas State. As entertaining as the map is I question the accuracy of the research and from what it seems Florida is one state we should all avoid. Here is a link to the map: http://www.wired.com/culture/education/magazine/17-09/st_sinmaps
Just recently a friend of mine, Stephen Somers, sent me a link to map charting the Seven Deadly Sins in the US, designed by team at Kansas State. As entertaining as the map is I question the accuracy of the research and from what it seems Florida is one state we should all avoid. Here is a link to the map: http://www.wired.com/culture/education/magazine/17-09/st_sinmaps
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
More Italy Pictures
Piazza del Campo, Siena
Villa Pietra,
Veneria Reale
Venaria Reale
Villa de Este
Hadrians Villa
Olympic Bridge in Torino
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Stuff that Happens
I came across the video posted below a while ago on this website, www.storyofstuff.com. The video discusses the set of connections and processes involved with the production, then sale, and finally disposal of goods, as well as the environmental and social issues related. Sustainability has become a popular topic and a serious issue and it is our responsibility as inhabitants of this planet to take our actions into consideration. Our wants, desires, and infatuations with stuff and things is an addiction and an unhealthy lifestyle that is endangering our planet. We should all take a step back and reassess our standard of living.
T-shirt Design Competition
The Rutgers University LA club is holding a club t-shirt design competition. Students within the major, in the club, and even those in related fields are encouraged to participate. The club is looking for two designs, one that is less graphic and oriented more towards a larger audience and a second one that is directed more at students with more of graphic design and concept. Designs should be submitted to club officials by September 16th and can either be computer generated or hand sketched. For more information feel free to contact me.
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