Landscape Graphics II Project - Garden Images

Not the greatest layout nor the greatest scan job, but here goes. Below is my draft "Garden Images" assignment. Our task was to find design precedents for a residential garden in the Glen Park neighborhood of San Francisco. Being the year 2011, it is high time we acknowledge the sanctity of water and the need to value every drop.

SF Watershed Planning Charrettes: Citywide Summary Report

At long last, the fruits of our labors - SFPUC Urban Watershed Management Program staff (yeah, that includes me!) and all the many passionate and concerned citizens of the great City of San Francisco - is here! Over 200 participants attended three community charrettes held from 2007 to 2009. Citizen input influenced heavily the SFPUC's subsequent exploration and analysis of green stormwater - or Low Impact Design-based - opportunities throughout the City's eight watershed basins.

In my brief time with the SFPUC UWMP, I enjoyed working closely with Rosey Jencks and Rachel Kraai to put this document together. I have to admit, though, I played a relatively minor role in the project. But I loved everything about the project and the process!

You can read and download San Francisco's "Watershed Planning Charrettes - Citywide Summary Report" on the SFPUC's website. You can find the document towards the bottom of the page.


PS - I love Leslie Webster's beautiful perspectives! The Northshore Basin one is here below.

Newest Living Wall in San Francisco

The Drew School, in collaboration with famed botanist-turned-designer Patrick Blanc, recently unveiled its living wall. This installation is the newest living wall in the City. Read more about it here:
Drew School's New Roots

World's Most Gorgeous Sewage Treatment Plant Will Be Put INSIDE An Office Building

The SFPUC (San Francisco Public Utilities Commission) continues to make noise with its soon-to-be headquarters.

Read HERE.

Living Machine Coming to SF in a Big Way!!

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), my former employer, is making big moves in sustainable water management. And here is the latest:
At its future home, 525 Golden Gate Avenue, the SFPUC is bringing Living Machine technology for on-site wastewater management and re-use. The SFPUC has commissioned Worrell Water Technologies of Charlottesville, VA to install the system. To read more about this awesome development, click HERE.

An Inner Sunset Treasure: Plum Trees in Bloom

Over these last couple of weeks, San Francisco has enjoyed some great weather. The City's plum trees, meanwhile, have grasped at the opportunity to formally announce their reawakening. Fresh from a winter slumber, these beautiful specimens are in their prime, showing off branches full of beautiful white and pink blossoms.

All this time, I've been kicking myself for driving through the Inner Sunset at a pace just slow enough to take in the views, but still too fast to properly digest and take in the beauty up close. So, finally, on a gray overcast day, I trekked out to 6th Avenue, Kirkham, and Irving, and I got my fill of the gorgeous blossoms. These trees don't have a whole lot to do with stormwater management per se, but they comprise a damn good-looking portion of our urban forest. Without further ado, feast your eyes on these seasonal beauties:

Just one more reason to slow down and take a walk

Another great reason to slow down and take a walk in our urban landscape: you get to notice all the little things around you. On my way to various parts of the City, I often zoom by in my auto, looking around only to avoid crazy idiotic drivers, pedestrians, and to see the traffic signals. When I'm driving, I miss out on the little things that are so amazing.

So, this past weekend, I took a walk down to Cole Valley, hoping to find some inspiration to punch out a couple of sketches. It's been over a month since my Landscape Graphics class concluded, and I'm not proud to admit that I haven't much kept at it. So, I figured on this beautiful Sunday, I'd take a walk and just get out there. As I reached the intersection of Twin Peaks Blvd and Clarendon Ave, I came across a truly spectacular sight: I saw an urban grove of Garrya elliptica, more commonly known as Coast silk tassel. If you've never seen this species, I think you'll be blown away by its beautiful dangling tassels. In a gentle SF breeze, it's amazing to watch them just sway.

I don't know for how long these trees have been in bloom, but I know that until this past Sunday, I'd never even realized these plants were there! Of course, most of the time I'm at this intersection, I'm going too fast to observe anything that's not also moving. So, I'm grateful that I decided to take a step back, slow my roll, and take the opportunity to take a walk in this wonderful city that I call home. As much as I complain about the abundance of asphalt and concrete in San Francisco, pockets of green treasure are here - we just have to open our eyes to them.

I'd like to share some of my joy with you: