APLD Construction Site Tour:
June 2010
 

We revisited the project of designer Lori Scott of Lori Scott Landscape Design that we had seen last October in its earlier phases. The contractors involved in this installation are Kevin Schindler of Autumn Leaf Landscaping and David West of Structures in Landscaping.

The project came together beautifully to create a spectacular new landscape for the homeowners. The many gorgeous new features include an infinity edge water feature, a steel and wood pergola, cut bluestone patio, gas fire pit, and an elevated ipe deck with metal rails and floating steps. (Please click on the thumbnails to see the larger photos).
 

Lori discusses the construction process: left, David West, middle, Kevin Schindler

View of upper deck and floating stairs

Front yard showing decorative panels

View under new deck showing bluestone patio and concealed drain system that keeps area dry

Construction Site Tour: Stone NW
April 2010

Landscape designers braved the chilly spring weather for an informative visit to Stone NW's quarry and rock yard in Camas, WA.
(photos by Vanessa Nagel, APLD)

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APLD/ANLD JOINT WINTER WORKSHOP: After Design...Building a Garden
January 2010

This highly-successful workshop was attended by over 100 landscape designers, landscape contractors, nursery representatives, and plant procurers. Morning speakers discussed topics such as: How to get your design documents bid-ready; How to issue a bid package and learn how to compare bids; How to create a team atmosphere with your business, your clients, and your contractors; What to do when things go wrong; and How to work with do-it-yourselfers.

The afternoon program consisted of two panels of contractors and designers who discussed how these two groups can work together for mutual profitability and client satisfaction, as well as how to stay involved throughout the installation process to give your clients the most value out of their designs.

To see Vanessa Nagel's powerpoint presentation "After Design what Next" please click here
 

Morning speakers Paul Taylor, OCNP and Vanessa Gardner Nagel, APLD

Donna Burdick (on left) of D & J Landscape Contractors was a sponsor and contractor panel member

Janene Walkky, APLD catches up with Homescaper owner Roger Miller

Bjorn Nordquist of Landscapes East & West was a sponsor, panel member and very funny moderator!

Laura Crockett and Annie Kirk teamed up to be part of our morning slate of speakers

Contractors and designers networking during a break

Courtney Downing smiles after winning the grand door prize: a $500 custom built iron gate from Structures in Landscape!

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Willamette West Habitat for Humanity Planting Day:
October 2009

For the 5th year, APLD Oregon volunteers turned up shovel in hand to help install new plantings around the latest WWHfH project in Beaverton. This year's project was at Vance Place, and included 5 home sites. Our members had previously created the planting plans for each plot at a design charrette evening in April, where Kathryn Leech, APLD, won a gift certificate to Dinsdale Nursery.

WWHfH staff amended and rototilled the soil areas before our planting day, and then procured the plants from Cascadian Nursery. We were helped in the planting by several of the current and prospective homeowners, as well as Habitat volunteers. Many thanks to all of you who volunteered your time and energy to make this year's collaboration a success!
 

Amy Whitworth and Ann Nickerson, APLD, dig some hefty planting holes.

Judy Kokesh installs some Moon Bay nandinas, Rozanne geraniums, and Japanese blood grass. Plant selections are based on toughness as well as beauty.

Amy Whitworth and Lynn Wolfstone take a pizza break

Barbara Hilty, APLD, plants a vine maple with help from two of the homeowners.

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APLD Construction Site Tour:
October 2009

This construction site tour is a joint project of designer Lori Scott of Lori Scott Landscape Design in conjunction with Kevin Schindler of Autumn Leaf Landscaping and David West of Structures in Landscaping. The site has many interesting new features being added, including a lawn bowling court, a rain garden, a raised ipe deck with floating stairs, a curved metal pergola, a firepit, a mortared bluestone patio, and a custom-designed water feature.
 

Designer Lori Scott has been working with both of the hardscaping companies and the homeowners during the installation to see that the design details are attended to.  Because there is so much still to be built on the site, Lori and the contractors invited our APLD/ANLD designer group to revisit it in 6 weeks time, and everyone attending agreed it would be great to have a follow-up tour then.
 

APLD Oregon member Lori Scott discusses the seat wall and water feature area.

Workmen lay the bluestones into mortar for the patio floor.

Curving back of patio will hold a seat wall and overhead arbor.

Kevin Schindler discusses the rain garden area and the unexpected underground spring that was discovered during excavation.

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"Evening in the Garden" Annual Members Dinner
August 2009

Guests enjoyed a wonderful upscale Mexican feast in the beautiful gardens of Oregon Chapter President Vanessa Nagel. As an accompaniment, we were also provided with a delicious fresh sangria courtesy of Ewing Irrigation. Ewing also set up an intriguing night lighting display that showcased many of Vanessa's beautiful plantings and garden art. Thanks also go to Monrovia Nursery who provided dozens of plants as decorations that were given away at the evening's end.

Members Kristine Hanson, Barbara Simon APLD, and Deb Rossi

Beautiful circle of Carex siderosticha 'Variegata'

Gravel pathway through lovely plantings and woods features Thai spirit house on a cherry tree stump

Kathryn Leech, APLD listens as Vanessa Nagel, APLD describes
 the evolution of her garden

Yummy gourmet Mexican buffet

A section of Vanessa's circular pebble mosaic

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2009 APLD ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
"Bridging Green Design, Majestic Nature, and Urban Pioneering"
Portland, Oregon: July 13th-19th

Pre-conference speakers discussed Natural Time Management, Edible Gardening, and Permaculture.

Main Conference speakers discussed the Sustainable Design Movement, the collaboration that produced the Portland Classical Chinese Garden, Green Roofs, and much more. Attendees had the opportunity to fill their minds up in the mornings with new ideas and fresh approaches to landscape design, and then in the afternoons they got to stretch their legs during extensive tours of gardens and estates in downtown Portland and the surrounding neighborhoods.

The Post-conference attendees traveled to the Columbia River Gorge area, and saw some beautiful gardens in Hood River and nearby towns, and also Mount Hood and an old growth forest along the Salmon River.

Below are a few thumbnail photos of some of the beautiful gardens we visited.
Please click on the photos to see a larger picture.
(FACEBOOK members: click here to see  APLD's page for more Conference photos!)

The Oregon Chapter of APLD wants to thank all of the local volunteers who worked hard to produce such a successful conference for the members of the international organization. Congratulations on a job well done!
 

Left:   APLD Oregon volunteers Lynn Wolfstone and Adriana Berry, who were instrumental in putting together all of the beautiful container plantings that decorated the hotel where the conference was held.

Robin Templar Williams Design Workshop:
November 2008

Our instructors, Robin Williams and Jules Bruck

Our spatial design workshop was an intense and creative two-day session for the 22 landscape designers who participated. Robin Williams and his assistant instructor, Dr. Jules Bruck, taught us about the principles and concepts that lead to outstanding landscape design in a witty, inclusive, and fun manner.
 

Some comments from the workshop participants:

"It was FABULOUS!!!!! Thank you so much for the specific topic and for the caliber of instruction. It was exactly what I have been 'hungry' for."

"A very fun and engaging program and I know that the concepts learned will become a part of my design approach from now on."

"Robin and Jules were brilliant at being able to immediately perceive problems with my forms, and help in concrete ways, without making me feel inadequate."

"Thanks again for this wonderful learning experience!!" 
 

Also, special thanks to our five sponsors whose participation allowed the workshop to be held:

Favorite phrases heard from the two days:

"I was designing from the inside out, but didn't quite get to the 'out' "
"passion pit"       
"sacred lawn"
"the naughty path"  (knotty?)  
"hers took 5 minutes, mine took 2 days!"
"bum height" vs. "seating height"
"That space is too mean"--Robin
"Give a moment of entry here"--Robin
"this is a little spin point"
"positive shapes"

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