As a Landscape studio we are often last called to the design party- which makes our work more interesting. Its great to see the work of our design peers (Architects and Interior Designers) and how space’s are moving. What’s even better is the ah-ha that happens when the Design team is diverse at all stages [...]
There is a beauty in Italian Gardens, especially the Villas. The places of relaxation and “Otium” as the Patrician’s said. Villas were places the high bloods would retreat to. A place to relax and reflect on the good things in life- so that when they returned to the city they could better practice “Negotium” or [...]
I have been thinking a lot about edges lately. They way edges define not only our built environment but they way they play a part in our personal lives with each other. Edges are boundaries. Boundaries have transitions. When edges and transitions are addressed haphazardly or not at all- they suck. And when those transitions [...]
I’ve entered a design contest for developing a modular platform to promote urban farming. Basically making it accessible to a larger / growing base of followers. Farm to table is something I enjoy as is urban development- hey, its going to happen might as well do it right….- But I am at a stick point. [...]
I’ve been thinking about the spaces I create and how they have this ability to calm and invigorate the soul. Last summer I was at a design charette in San Diego CA and had a few hours of alone time. I made my up the ocean to La Jolla and sat on the beach gripped [...]
I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and recently visited the area after a several year old hiatus. I was fascinated by how progressive the area is in regard to its urban planning and infrastructure. What was even more mind blowing was how powerful the images of my youth transferred to my work today. The [...]
The Corduroy Studio, Inc.© had the opportunity to present one of its projects to a Minnesota Congressman. The scope of the project quickly grew to encompass community development, economic redevelopment and infrastructure and transit. What caught the Congressman’s attention was our approach to revitalization. Improving something versus tearing it down and replacing it. We approached [...]
People realize, at least sub-conciously, that their physical environment is their conduit for learning and social interaction. It is the natural environment, when working and designed properly that has the potential for rich social interactions, education beyond the classrooms, and self reflection and growth. When you look at what learning is versus what it should [...]
I have been thinking about this topic for some time- eco-districts. As we have worked for various communities implementing green infrastructure the thought keeps occurring that if we can connect one to the other we could really create a corridor of good design. Transit, community spaces, low impact and earth first design. These chains of [...]
We have a residential client we did a project for and they asked us to look at their corporate real estate holdings to identify areas were we can apply our revitalization packages. By looking at existing infrastructure and updating it we have found that the internal rate of return on money spent is 10- 15% [...]
