Sunday, November 14, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Google Earth: Louisville Loop route .kmz
Some have asked, "Where is the Loop?" "Is it built?" "Where do I get on it?"
Well, I've attached file that shows the location of the built portion of theLouisville Loop. The file is a .kmz file which will plug into Google Earth,
a free mapping program. First, download Google Earth at
http://www.google.com/earth/index.html. Then take the file and click on it.
It should fire up the program, insert the Loop into Louisville, KY, and then
you will see the loop as a purple line along the Ohio River. There are many
places along the path where you can jump on and do a short portion or ride
the whole thing. A word from our sponsor:
Google Earth streams the world over wired and wireless networks enabling
users to virtually go anywhere on the planet and see places in photographic
detail. This is not like any map you have ever seen. This is a 3D model of
the real world, based on real satellite images combined with maps, guides to
restaurants, hotels, entertainment, businesses and more. You can zoom from
space to street level instantly and then pan or jump from place to place,
city to city, even country to country. Get Google Earth. Put the world in perspective. (http://www.google.com/earth/index.html)
Monday, November 08, 2010
3D rain garden SketchUp model
Some projects come along and are thoroughly enjoyable. One of these was working on a sustainable residential landscape. The owner had rain barrels but now wanted a rain garden, a vegetable garden, and new connecting walk to a sun room.
After the summer that we have had in Louisville, Kentucky it has really hammered home that rain gardens are not wetlands or pond projects. The nature of the rain garden’s depression and the plant choices are really designed to be in a dry condition 95 percent of the time. They need to be well-drained planting beds. Tying a rain garden to rain barrels may seem counter-intuitive, but again when things are dry, it’s good to hold onto the rain water we do get for use at a later time. So it’s really a matter of thinking through how many different solutions can become a more complete answer: growing one’s food, using rain water (stored and infiltrated on site) to water the landscape, and minimizing impervious areas like rooftops and pavement. These goals hold true for the homeowner, an institution, public lands and whole communities.
3D modeling is a helpful way to show what a new landscape will look like before making a dramatic change. It also allows the owner to participate in the design review so the new landscape is as specific to the place and the client as possible. Involvement breeds commitment, so an involved owner will stay committed to maintaining sustainable landscape from the design phase through enjoying the final product.
Feel free to contact us if I can help you on your next sustainable project.
John Pacyga, RLA, ASLA, LEED AP
Verdant Design LLC
502-794-8519
Friday, October 22, 2010
Warm wet winter for Ohio River Valley
Expect an extreme winter, U.S. forecasters warn
It looks like we are going to have some weather this winter. It’s either going to be warmer or colder or wetter, but not “normal.” So expect the unexpected…
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Photos from the Louisville Loop
Many don’t know that the Louisville Loop, a 100 mile trail around the whole county, already has portions in place. Right now there is 23 miles built from Waterfront Park down the Ohio River to the Farnsley-Moreman home/landing. It is made up of the Riverwalk by downtown, follows Northwestern and Southwestern Parkways, uses some bike lanes, then picks up the River along the Levee Trail. All told it is a nice ride. I found the drivers (even semis) were courteous either moving over as they passed (even though I was in a bike lane) or when stopped, they motioned for me to go first. I thought the Levee trail was the most heavily used portion with many more walkers/joggers than anywhere else. The most beautiful parts were a secluded woods portion near the LG&E facility and Southwestern Parkway. If you haven’t been on it, give it a try!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Verdant Design interviewed regarding Social Networking in the Green Industry
Verdant Design was the 1000th to follow Ewing Irrigation on twitter. They interviewed us on the value of being involved in social networking in the green industry. Here is a link to the blog.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
HBC's Memorial Garden
Here are a few photos of Highland Baptist Church’s Memorial Garden from design to completion. Though the summer has been a rough one, the garden has done well. The Black-eyed Susan plants have now been cut back partly due to the weather (they set seed and browned out sooner than normal), but they should do well for next season. Hats off to Chip Miller and crew for the wonderful benches built in honor Ed Lotze.
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
#Land8 Webinar: #CAD & #SketchUp with Daniel Tal
Daniel Tal, author of Google SketchUp for Site Design, will have three nights of webinars regarding CAD and SketchUp on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 6:00 PM - to - Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 7:00 PM (PT).
<a href=”http://land8-cad-sketchup-webinar.eventbrite.com/”> http://land8-cad-sketchup-webinar.eventbrite.com/</a>
He will cover:
· How to prepare your CAD drawing for import into SketchUp
· How to organize CAD layers and XREF’s prior to import
· How to rapidly add faces to imported CAD linework
· Tips and tricks to creating faces from CAD linework
· Swapping 2D Blocks with 3D Components
· When and how to export a SketchUp model back to AutoCAD
You can get a discount using these codes:
Students: "Land8-Students-10"
Professionals: "Land8-Pro-25"
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Mother-in-law's courtyard
One of the honors I have is giving family member’s suggestions or designs on their surroundings when they move into a new home. Here is the design for a small space, a courtyard, behind a patio home. Even small spaces can be designed well and take advantage of the given situation. In this small space there were plenty of walls but not ground space. The walls, though dressed in brick, needed softening. Espaliered fruit trees are slated to be installed this fall to soften the brick’s appearance, as well as provide fruit in season.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Drought to continue in #Louisville
The drought conditions that cover nearly half of Kentucky and the southern half of Indiana will persist for some time according to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center. The news release for Kentucky can be found here:
Level 1 Drought Declared in 27 Counties in Western and Central Kentucky
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Race and ethnicity: Louisville
Eric Fisher has made a series of city-wide maps showing the distribution of race/ethnicity.
Louisville has a few neighborhoods that are diverse, but we still struggle with old geographical stereotypes.
What is the most racially diverse part of Louisville?: Americana Apartments!
Here is the blog post that covers the beauty of the maps.
http://www.datapointed.net/2010/09/fischer-race-and-ethnicity-maps/
For more on your city, you can find them at Eric’s Photostream and then search for your city:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkingsf/with/5011003858/
You can see Louisville’s map up close here:
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The Olmsted Legacy
Frederick Law Olmsted left a legacy in many places across the whole US. He is known for his inventive Central Park in New York City, but his work spans many decades and from HERE to THERE. He developed the park system in Louisville where much of it is thriving yet today.
A documentary on his life and work is coming to the screen. Here is a trailer:
http://www.theolmstedlegacy.com/
Monday, September 13, 2010
New Louisville Google Earth imagery
New aerial photos of Louisville can be found using Google Earth. I haven’t deduced exactly what day it was done, but I’m guessing June 2010 sometime. The imagery and terrain is very detailed. Go to the link below to download the program and travel the world!
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
JJ Grey's inspiring #landscape
Funky Southern Swamp Rock.
If you’ve not heard of JJ Grey and Mofro, you will. JJ is an artist from Florida where his music comes from his connection “to this dirt – to this place – to all these things around here… It's one of those places that ain't been tore out and changed and made into something," says JJ as he paddles along Cross Creek. "Somebody didn't come in and bulldoze it, put in a botanical garden. It's already beautiful."
Come see a mini-documentary of the music, his songwriting, and the landscape that inspires him.
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