Update!

Well, things didn't really work out with Kurisu International. Too many extended periods of travel (read: "relocation"). I am thankful for the time spent working under one of the best in the business and to have seen some of the most beautiful Japanese Gardens outside of Japan.

Since early spring I have been working for a plantscaping company. I've always had an eye for creative container gardens, so this is a good fit. As the Exterior Supervisor, I am responsible for the design, installation, and maintenance of all of the company's outdoor containers. I get to be outside a lot and am working directly with plant material, which is great.

Regardless of how rewarding and fun this new job is, I have decided to once again focus on growing my own residential design/consultation business. Keeping this blog updated is Step #1!

Interview on Thursday

I have a ridiculously important interview happening this Thursday, August 18, 2011.

Kurisu International is world-renowned and respected for their high-end residential, commercial, and institutional landscape design and construction. Specializing in Japanese Gardens and healing environments, they have an amazing portfolio and I would be honored if hired on as part of their talented team.

The founder, Hoichi Kurisu, studied in Japan and at one time was the Landscape director for the Garden Society of Japan (Nihon Teien Kyokai). He also directed construction of the Portland Japanese Gardens.

www.kurisu.com

amazing Yugoslavian architectural relics suggest alien landscape

This is a mind-blowing collection of photographs featuring abandoned architectural sites in Yugoslavia. These unique and desolate creations seem to suggest a sort of other-worldly type of influence:
http://www.cracktwo.com/2011/04/25-abandoned-soviet-monuments-that-look.html

Herbal Remedies being censored in the EU

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1382135/Herbal-medicines-banned-EU-directive-comes-force.html

Fusing Nature with Architecture

This is a very inspriational video which highlights a project by Danish architecture firm
BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group).

Relocated!

I have relocated to the Portland, Oregon!
I'm excited to be "where the action is" in regard to
sustainable landscape systems.
I'm looking working for a local firm that specializes in eco-roofs
and other "green" technologies,
meanwhile growing my professional network.

The courtyard here at mxd830 is a great space. A combined vision with the architects upstairs at Foundation For Form, who designed the building, my contributions include the schematic layout of the hardscape (as well as the planting, irrigation and lighting plans). The plans included the countertop and bench seating seen in these photos. My original concept was to find one large piece of lumber to use as the countertop, and we ended up with wood salvaged from a barn in nearby Santee. I also maintained the landscape and am excited that everything is growing in nicely. Also shown here is the mixed sedum bed behind the bench and the permeable paving that was used in the parking area. This serves to minimize stormwater runoff and also adds aesthetic interest to the space, which has been used to host events every couple of months since the
building opened last year.