The Metacog Blog is a blog current designs in the built environment gathered from many sources. The students in the 4th year studio at the University of Kentucky’s Landscape Architecture program largely update the blog. I’m assisting Ryan Hargrove this semester as we focus on Urban Design.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The soil map for Jefferson County, KY is available online
The updated soils map for Jefferson County, KY is available online at:
http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Manuscripts/KY111/0/index.pdf
The manuscript is at:
http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Manuscripts/KY111/0/Jefferson_KY.pdf
There is a lot you can learn from a soil map: slopes, building potential, relative depth to rock, and what areas are like yours for comparing soil qualities. I still think it’s funny that in an urban area like Jefferson County the soil scientists still tell you the farming and sewer drainage field potential…
And in case you were wondering, I live in:
UmD—Urban land-Alfic Udarents-Crider complex, 12 to 25 percent slopes
~Soils Nerd~
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Spring has sprung! Life is busy.
Some photos of this week’s spring flowers: Snowdrops, Star Magnolia, and daffodils.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Reviewing ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Green Building Standard 189.1-2009/International GREEN Building Code
The new ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Green Building Standard 189.1-2009 serves as the jurisdictional requirement option for the new International Green Construction Code public version 1.0. Amazingly, the IGCC does have landscape implications: shading the building to reduce heat gain and therefore cooling costs; removal of invasives; reduced irrigation; management of soil and erosion control; bike facilities; managed lighting; reduced stormwater implications; and vegetation and soil protection areas (VSPA’s).
If you would like to read more about IGCC, try this link. http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/default.aspx
By supporting the document, one can download a free version and also comment on the document. (Version 2.0 is scheduled to come out in November.)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Good day balancing home, fun, and work: landscape plan approved today!
Great day coordinating and having a landscape plan approved by the City of Louisville Landscape Architect. Add to that, a great afternoon with my daughter. Then onto an evening with Landscape Architects. Great day all around!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Our company profile is now on Green Home Guide http://greenhomeguide.com/pro/company/2028
USGBC has a new place for consumers to list questions and find answers to all things green/sustainable around and in your home. Check it out: http://greenhomeguide.com/
They have two entries for landscaping on ‘steps toward a natural lawn’ and ‘sustainable landscaping.’
Thursday, March 11, 2010
My favorite weather forecast site: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
If you want to have a reasonable prediction on temp, precip, and drought for months in advance, you can’t beat the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. So far Louisville is predicted to have a “normal” spring and summer. We’ll see what happens. Grantsburg: bad news, persistent drought…
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Just added our firm to http://greenhomeguide.com/ , "connecting you to ideas, advice and green home professionals."
A new service from the U.S. Green Building Council (the folks who brought you Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED) is the Green Home Guide. It’s in Beta, but I think you will find it an interesting site that connects professionals and your home.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Spring is here! Witch Hazel, Crocus, and Lenten Roses!
Spring is arriving (in its sweet time). Here are some harbingers of spring:
Witch Hazel (pictured is Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena'), Crocus, and
Lenten Rose. Red dogwoods always look good, but in the spring they add to
the interest that bulbs offer. I included an image of what Jelena looks
like in the fall. It is a wonderful and underused plant.
Witch Hazel (pictured is Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena'), Crocus, and
Lenten Rose. Red dogwoods always look good, but in the spring they add to
the interest that bulbs offer. I included an image of what Jelena looks
like in the fall. It is a wonderful and underused plant.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Kentucky Crafted Art: The Market going on through the weekend http://www.kycraft.ky.gov/
Kentucky artists will be displaying their wares in Louisville this weekend. It is open to the public.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Looking forward to a day of exploration with UK's LA students: http://themetacogblog.blogspot.com/
Fourth year University of Kentucky landscape architecture studio focuses on urban design. The link will take you to our blog which covers this wide-ranging topic: http://themetacogblog.blogspot.com/
Looking forward to a great day of exploration with UK's Landscape Architecture students: http://themetacogblog.blogspot.com/
Fourth year University of Kentucky landscape architecture studio focuses on urban design. The link will take you to our blog which covers this wide-ranging topic: http://themetacogblog.blogspot.com/
Monday, March 01, 2010
Great day for a site visit!
The weather is clear, the temp is up and snow is gone. A great time for landscape design (& construction) to begin!
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