Education « World Landscape Architecture – landscape architecture webzine

Penn Announces New Architecture Dean – Architectural Record

The University of Pennsylvania plans to announce today that Marilyn Jordan Taylor, FAIA, a long-time partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, will be the new dean of its School of Design.

Taylor, a pioneering female architect widely respected for her leadership in complex urban projects and civic initiatives, joined SOM 35 years ago. She was elected partner in 1985 and in 2001 became the firm’s first female chairman.

Her appointment at PennDesign takes effect October 1, 2008.

SOURCE:Architectural Record – Penn Announces New Architecture Dean

Landscape Architecture Director Honored

The Arizona Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects, known as ASLA, has named University of Arizona Professor Ronald Stoltz as that organization’s “2008 Outstanding Landscape Architect.” ASLA presented the award at its annual meeting in Phoenix earlier this month.

Stoltz, director of the School of Landscape Architecture in the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the UA, was cited for taking on a substantial role in raising funds for the unique, water-harvesting landscape that is integrated into the college’s new addition.

Source: UANews.org – Landscape Architecture Director Honored

USA job market remains optimistic for many graduates

For Oklahoma State University landscape architecture graduate Jessica Waugh, the job search was more of a job sort.

Before Waugh even walked across the commencement stage May 3, she’d had four employment offers, including two from out-of-state companies. She picked a Tulsa firm and will start work next week.

Read more @ the SOURCE: NewsOK.com – State’s job market remains optimistic for many graduates

Going ‘green’ in landscaping

How “green” (eco-friendly) is your lawn? A truly healthy landscape is not measured by a weed-free, well-manicured lawn but by what lies beneath the surface (the condition of the soil) and the environment above the ground.

Many people use chemicals and pesticides to maintain a green, weed-free lawn, not considering that, although most lawn fertilizers will make your grass green, they ultimately may harm the soil and the environment. The chemicals found in lawn fertilizers can kill healthy insects, fungi and organisms, such as earthworms. Earthworms aid in aeration of the soil.

Pesticides not only kill the bad bugs, but also beneficial insects and other creatures, such as ladybugs, spiders and honeybees. All of these “healthy” bugs attract songbirds and other wildlife, which then promote a healthy ecosystem and environment.

Another serious result of using chemicals and pesticides on lawns is runoff. Runoff occurs when there is overwatering or excessive rain. This causes the chemicals, as well as phosphorus, to flow into storm drains and directly into our fresh water source.

Source: IndyStar.com - The Indianapolis Star – Going ‘green’ in landscaping

Students to gain real-world work experience in Spain

Eight Cornell architecture students in an Arch 501 studio received real-world experience this semester, working on a new community music center to be built in Valencia, Spain. Students visited the site over spring break and met with architects in Valencia.

“We wanted to share all of our doubts and our concerns professionally with the students, with a real site, real conditions and the environment of what the project would be,” said Antón García-Abril, principal architect of Ensamble Studio in Madrid (http://www.ensamble.info), who taught the studio with colleague Débora Mesa Molina. “We’re working with the real needs of the city of Valencia. Reality in urbanism and architecture is so strong that we don’t need to create any fiction around it.”

Read more @ the Source: Cornell Chronicle: Architecture project in Valencia, Spain.