Urban trees are part of our infrastructure. They must co-exist with all the curbs, paving, utilities, and our movements. Various soils and media are available to help address issues like compaction of the growing media, and heaving of paved areas due to tree roots. I have done projects in the past where we spec’d CU-StructuralContinue reading “Urban Tree Roots – take a journey”
Category Archives: Alexia
Work in progress…. thinking through some HOA improvements
People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones…. and people with glass garage doors shouldn’t have to mow the grass and have broken glass to fix….. Re-visiting the issues with the Residents to : reduce mown grass increase stormwater infiltration create beauty and get butterflies!
If we build it, they will come… but we shan’t wait too long… much to do!
If we build it, they will come… but we shan’t wait too long… much to do!
Magic tree, magical beach….
Years and years ago, I was asked to design “bird-friendly” native plantings for a parking lot for one of Chicago’s Harbors. It wasn’t quite the first time I was asked to do something like this – all native plants – but it was still memorable. That particular design never was installed, but since then, theContinue reading “Magic tree, magical beach….”
sketch ideas for an “activated river” in a really great little town
Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture creates our built spaces by harmonizing the dialogue among science, culture, and environment. Everywhere there is human culture, there is landscape architecture, formally or informally. Interested in expanding your purview? The Department of Landscape Architecture at Illinois is hosting an Islamic Landscape Symposium on September 13 to explore the design of contemporary Islamic gardens andContinue reading “Landscape Architecture”
Fools and Dreamers indeed… and the weeds may redeem us all
Magical place nurtured back to nature. Great lesson here about gorse. Soil wishes to be covered, so, there are always plants up for the job. Some of them, and most of them in places we disturb, are likely considered weeds. Perhaps we need to be clearer in our intention, step back in our understanding, andContinue reading “Fools and Dreamers indeed… and the weeds may redeem us all”
All-Season Beauty + Texture
(Christmas in July??? Or just understanding your landscape year-round?) Plant combinations, massing, and matrices, are chosen for their ability to play off one another with timing and textures, for their ability to hold interest during multiple seasons, and because they “get along” well culturally. This video was made during the second winter for this corporateContinue reading “All-Season Beauty + Texture”
Parkway Possibilities
This is an urban parkway in a residential neighborhood in Chicago. The plantings are native, except the Clematis and the tulips. There are several boulders that make great seats on a hot summer evening. Weeding a couple times a year is all this type of landscape needs, as long as the Norway Maples are trimmedContinue reading “Parkway Possibilities”
This could be YOUR parkway….
Enjoy the watch! This parkway is one I drive by fairly often. Recently, I decided to stop by…….. enjoy!
Re-Ecology Land Design 