It's been a long time since we last got down, so I thought I'd at least poke my head outta my hole (think Punxatawney Phil). At long last, my LG II class is over. Not that I didn't enjoy it; it just means that we finally made it through our final projects (yeah!). So, without further adieu, here are the plan and section graphics from my final project, a shared backyard between two neighbors in San Francisco's Glen Park neighborhood.
PS - Here's sending my new baby niece Sydney little baby kisses on her little pink cheeks!


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.
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.

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