October 2020 Newsletter
ASLA UTAH OCTOBER 2020 NEWSLETTER
UPCOMING EVENTS
reVISION ASLA 2020 November 16th thru 18th Reimagined, virtual experience for an evolving profession where you will get the opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate landscape architecture. REGISTER HERE
ANOVA: Virtual LA CES™ Webinar Inclusive Design for Outdoor Furniture Thursday, December 3rd, 12:00pm
Credits: 1.5 PDH-HSW REGISTER HERE
CONGRATULATIONS! 2020 ASLA Annual Professional Awards Program. CLICK HERE to see Awards Video
Victor Stanley: Virtual LA CES™ Webinar Public and the Pandemic Speakers: Gina Ford and Brie Hensold
Credits: 1.5 PDH-HSW On-Demand. REGISTER HERE
Leadership Express
Lauren Smith, Chapter President
Hi all!
The time has come for me to pass the torch. Seeing as the national conference is coming up, I’ll be moving along to Past President and Seth Bockholt, President Elect, will be taking over the reigns. Meaning, this is my last leadership express! As many of you know, Seth has been President Elect for the past year and he is excited to take over. You’ll be in good hands with Seth and I’m looking forward to what he has in store for our chapter.
I’d like to thank all of our members for the opportunity to lead our chapter over the past year. It’ hasn’t quite been the year I expected, but nonetheless it’s been a pleasure! I also owe a big thank you to all of the Executive Committee Members and our Executive Director for keeping out chapter afloat this year. We’ve worked hard to be able to provide resourses through this year’s challenges. I look forward to planning the 2021 ASLA Utah Conference as Past President.
I do have a couple reminders for this month before I head out:
#LandscapeArchitectsVote
Hopefully everyone has voted already. For those of you who haven’t please make sure you have a plan to get your vote counted. If you need more information on how to cast your vote and/or your polling location please find more information here: https://vote.utah.gov/
reVISION ASLA 2020 Register Today!
When a landscape architect faces a change in conditions for their project, they have to revise the plans—just as we’ve had to do with the conference when faced with the COVID-19 crisis. reVISION ASLA 2020 is a reimagined, virtual experience for an evolving profession where you will get the opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate landscape architecture—all from the safety of your own home. Let’s make 2020 a year to remember for all the right reasons—join us at reVISION ASLA 2020, from November 16-18, and make your mark on the future of our profession.
New LARE Workshops! (only $34.99 each!)
ASLA National will host virtual L.A.R.E. Prep Workshops for Section 1 and Section 2, on November 13. Each session is priced at $34.99. Workshop instructors, comprised of ASLA L.A.R.E. Prep Committee members, will review the content and format of the exams, share study strategies and test taking tips, and engage in Q&A with the participants. Instructors include seasoned professionals that have long been engaged in L.A.R.E. prep support, as well as recent L.A.R.E. test takers. ASLA also has online learning webinars, with member pricing of $29.99, to help prepare candidates for Section 3—Design and Section 4—Grading, Drainage, and Construction Documents.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to one of us, our contact information can be found on the Executive Committee page.
Stay safe and healthy. Cheers,
Lauren
Get to know our newest Executive Committee Members
UASLA: Why did you choose Landscape Architecture as your profession?
JOHN: Got into the green industry as a way to pay for college, found out I loved it. The blend of creativity, analytical rigor, connection with nature, and opportunity to work for myself is the perfect storm of awesome.
AARON: I love the idea of creating beautiful, functional and ecologically sensitive spaces for people. I have always been fascinated with the urban and natural environment and how complex they are, and I love how it creates a great opportunity for us as designers.
UASLA: Tell us about your educational background and any past professional experience.
JOHN: My goal, in hot youth, was to be a lawyer. So while I studied political science at UVU, I worked for a tree nursery, and did some amatuer design work. After graduation, I attended Washington and Lee law School in Virginia. After one year, I came to my senses and switched over to the MLA program at Utah State, where I graduated in 2012. Following graduation, and feeling the pressure to pay off some student loans, I relegated landscape design to the side hustle while I worked for a life flight company as the director of marketing. I then went on to work for RidgeView Capital, a private equity group. One of our acquisitions I worked on was Intermountain Plantings, the largest commercial landscape installation company in the Intermountain West. Following the acquisition, I stayed on for a time as senior manager. In December of 2017 I left to make the side hustle the main hustle, and have been designing full-time since then.
AARON: I grew up with a strong background in art and design. I have a bachelors degree in Urban Ecology from the University of Utah with a minor in Product Design. After I got my bachelors degree I moved to Tucson, AZ where I got my masters degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Arizona. During school I began working with Psomas, a multi-disciplinary engineering firm, as an Urban and Landscape Designer. At Psomas we value the importance of our role with the natural environment and works to hard to promote sustainability in all we do, which I love.
UASLA: How do you presently practice Landscape Architecture?
JOHN: I do residential landscape design. Currently we are a small outfit with myself and two employees, and we service clients mainly in SL and Utah counties, but have done projects in Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, St. George, Oregon, and Alaska.
AARON: I currently work on everything from conceptual park design to detailed planting and irrigation plans. We work for a variety of clients including commercial, multi-family properties as well as some revegetation plans throughout the western United States.
UASLA: What project have you been involved in that you take great accomplishment in and why?
JOHN: In 2014 I designed and managed the installation of a seven figure project in Farmington. It was a residential landscape renovation. Not only was I pleased with how the project turned out, being able to manage every detail of the installation was invaluable for helping understand the construction process, coordination requirements between trades, costs, timelines, permitting, etc. I think every landscape architect should look for opportunities like that.
AARON: I was able to be involved in the planning of three mobility hub sites on the U of U campus. We were on the project team that provided studies of possible mobility hub locations on campus, and a comprehensive document showcasing the design concepts for each site. I will always value the opportunity to work on this project because I know it will be a guiding document promoting alternative transportation options for years to come.
UASLA: What is a project outside your design influence that impacted you greatly and inspires you?
JOHN: After that first year of law school, I initially enrolled into the MBA program at the UofU. In taking a summer pre-requisite, I arrived early and decided to go visit Red Butte Gardens. It was sitting on a bench, and overwhelmed by the beautifully created gardens surrounding me I was overcome with the desire to learn how to create the kind of places that elicit that same reaction. I didn't attend class that day, or at all after that, but I enrolled up at USU for landscape architecture.
AARON: Really any project with Piet Oudolf. I love the way he promotes the natural environment in his landscapes. Utilizing native plants and the naturalistic style of plantings creates such a unique but functional landscape.
UASLA: What are your top three goals that you would like to accomplish while serving on the ExCom Board?
JOHN: 1. As treasurer, ensure financial stability of the organization. 2. Participate in meaningful conversations regarding the identity and vitality of ASLA UT in the lives of landscape architects in our state. 3. Participate in meaningful action resulting from goal #2.
AARON: 1. Promote the profession of landscape architecture in Utah through community outreach and highlighting the amazing work we do everyday. 2. Promote communication between disciplines through a variety of ways. Strengthening the traditional ways of communication but also finding new ways to communicate with each other. 3. Bring awareness to the importance of landscape architecture in the context of the urban environment promoting plant and species diversity.
Exam Section 1 & Section 2 — Friday, November 13
Each workshop is priced at an unbelievable value of $34.99!
Are you planning to take a L.A.R.E. exam this December, but don’t feel fully prepared? Or are you thinking about taking L.A.R.E. exams in 2021? If you need some extra help, ASLA National has you covered!
Special Thanks to ASLA Utah 2020 Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
BioGrass | Rain Bird | Victor Stanley
Gold Sponsors
Live Earth Products
Silver Sponsors
Amcor/Belgard | Ameristar | Anova | Chanshare Farms
Hunter/FX Luminaire | Landscape Forms | LuckyDog Recreation | Utelite
Bronze Sponsors
AMIAD | CES&R | Confluence Products | Contech | Forms + Surfaces | GPH Irrigation
Garrett & Company | Graber Manufacturing | Hess Pumice | Inman Interwest | IRONSMITH Maglin | Miller Companies | Omega II Fence System | PlaySpace Designs | Sonntag Recreation Starker Parson | TORO | Vortex Aquatic Structures Intl.