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Archive for the ‘sense of place’ Category

Calling all ABQ bikers and trail users

2010
11.22

Posted in design, sense of place | No Comments »

The city of Albuquerque has been revising its Bikeways and Trails Master Plan.

They have been working with an outside planning and consulting firm on this plan and they are presenting it at three public meetings.

Tuesday, December 7th 5:30-7:30pm Manzano Mesa Multi-Generational Center

Wednesday, December 8th 6-8pm West Mesa Community Center

Thursday, December 9th 6-8pm Alamosa Community Center

Please go out, hear what they have to say, see how it effects your biking and let them know how you feel.

This is a great opportunity to help improve the dismal bike accommodations of this city.

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Telluride Vision 2025

2010
11.21

Posted in design, landscape, sense of place, sustainability | No Comments »

Telluride, CO has been taking surveys and collecting input on a new Master Plan for the ski area and beyond. There appears to be some very good ideas for the future like, expanding boundaries and new lifts to Delta Bowl, alpine coasters, and sustainable local food growing facilities. However there are also some very bad ideas like building a series of lifts to connect to Silverton, CO. Hopefully the feedback thus far has helped filter the bad ideas from the good. Here is what they have to say about it.

What is Vision 2025?

The US Forest Service has asked the ski company to update its master development plan (MDP).
Vision 2025 is a Telluride Ski Resort planning process designed to reach out to the public (local, national,
and international) for input. Several public meetings have been held with hundreds of participants filling out questionnaires, and two online surveys have been conducted. This process is focused on ski resort operations.

The full response can be found here, you can submit feedback as well.

Reports say you can expect to see the first draft plan sometime this winter and as a part time resident of Telluride, an environmentalist, a land planner, and designer, I am very much looking forward to this first draft. It’s exciting to see a place you love proactively plan for its future, I just hope the proper land considerations are realized and the important environmental issues are accounted for.

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Landscape Architecture Around America (PHOTOS)

2010
11.20

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Living in a big city, it can be hard to find refuge from the daily grind. Landscape architecture is a rising industry that provides a sort of urban oasis, connecting people with nature in a typically hectic setting. These spaces can be both aesthetically-pleasing and practical, sometimes even finding more sustainable ways to use public space. We’ve compiled some of the biggest landscape architecture projects across America that are open to the public– some were recently recognized by the American Society of Landscape Architects while others are already major landmarks in their respective cities. Take a look and vote for your favorite!

Landscape Architecture Around America (PHOTOS).

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shan shui

2010
11.17

Posted in landscape, sense of place | No Comments »

The Chinese express the English word landscape with two characters, mountain (shan (top)) and water (shui (bottom)). In the Taoist concept of natural harmony the mountain is the passive center (yin), and water is the active counterbalance (yang). Calligraphy by C. C. Wang.

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Q4

2010
11.15

Posted in architecture, design, landscape, sense of place | No Comments »

The New Mexico chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, NMASLA, recently partook in their annual Q4 event. This years event was a field trip to El Camino Real International Heritage Center followed by a guided tour of the Bosque del Apache NWR and ending with a nice dinner at Socorro Springs Brewery.

El Camino Real International Heritage Center was designed by Bill Sabatini of Dekker/Perich/Sabatini. This building is a unique piece of New Mexico architecture, its modern construction pleasantly juxtaposes the historic context of the site and its contents. Long and narrow it suggests a journey to a distant place and strategically framed views install a sense of a scale. Rarely do you see such consideration for site, in relation to building placement, but here the thoughtfulness is evident.

I really enjoyed this place, the structure and surrounding landscape are inspiring. I also learned a lot about the Camino Real, now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our next stop the Bosque del Apache is best known for the festival of cranes, a once a year (this year Nov. 16th – 21st) celebration of the thousands of Sandhill Cranes which migrate to the area this time of year. Our visit was a little too early to see the cranes in their full glory, but there were still a few birds around.

Official bird counts -November 11, 2010
Ducks 23,557
Canada Geese 325
Light Geese 19,850
Sandhill Cranes 2,491
Bald and Golden Eagles 1
Swans 0
American White Pelicans 0
American Coot 81
Marsh and Water Birds 17
Shorebirds 16
Gulls and Terns 105
Hawks and Owls 10