Louis Benech has designed gardens across the world. (Photos by Eric Sander / Courtesy of Louis Benech)

STOCKBRIDGE -- For world-renowned landscape architect Louis Benech, designing a garden is more a science than an art.

"Gardening is said to be an art, but I think there is no way I am an artist," Benech said in a recent telephone interview from his Paris office. "Artists are more free." Designing a garden "is too technical to be an art."

Finding that balance between freedom and responsibility in garden design will be the topic of Benech's lecture at Monument Mountain High School on Saturday, Feb. 8. Benech will speak at the Berkshire Botanical Garden's winter lecture, which is expected to draw more than 400 guests.

A reception will follow, where Benech will sign copies of "Twelve French Gardens" a book by author Eric Jansen and photographer Eric Sander, which shows some of his work.

Benech is known for his work on more than 300 public and private gardens across the globe, including the historic Tuileries Gardens and the Elysee Palace Gardens, both in Paris, Pavlovsk's rose pavilion in St. Petersburg and the Gardens of the Archilleion in Corfu.

"I am very happy when the garden is gentle enough that somebody is not thinking that someone is working there," Benech said . "I am not into the vision of exotic-looking gardens."

Benech is currently working at the Palace of Versailles on a contemporary garden for the Water Grove Theatre.

In his speech, Benech will share the methods and attitudes to adopt when approaching a garden, whether it is located in France or abroad, historical or untouched by history, with a view to restoration or to pure creation.

"We are very, very lucky to have him and we are honored he has chosen to come and speak," said BBG Communications Manager Brian Cruey. "Louis brings a great mix of new and old. He is considered very fashion-forward in the world of gardening, but still traditional," he said.

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Louis Benech, Designer of the Tuileries Gardens, to give Berkshire Botanical Garden's winter lecture in Great Barrington

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Newswise The Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) program has certified landscapes at a federal courthouse in New Mexico, a Washington, D.C. elementary school, a campus plaza in Washington, D.C., and an urban plaza in Washington state.

The four projects certified by the nations most comprehensive rating system for sustainable landscapes are at: Albuquerques Pete V. Domenici U.S. Courthouse, which received a two star certification; Brent Elementary School in Washington D.C., which received one star; Square 80 Plaza at The George Washington University, also in D.C. with one star; and East Bay Public Plaza in Olympia, Washington, with one star.

The SITES program is a collaboration of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center of The University of Texas at Austin, and the United States Botanic Garden. The program was created to fill a critical need for a comprehensive set of guidelines and a system for recognizing sustainable landscapes based on their planning, design, construction and intended maintenance. This voluntary national rating system and set of performance benchmarks can be applied to projects of all sizes and on sites with or without buildings.

"It is exciting to see a growing number of projects across the country that have applied an integrative design process to meet rigorous sustainability guidelines, while finding ways to address urgent environmental and social challenges," said SITES Program Director Danielle Pieranunzi, who is based at the Wildflower Center. We are thrilled to certify these four new projects that truly exemplify the breadth of approaches to sustainable site design and development.

The newly certified projects applied the 2009 SITES Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks and met the requirements for pilot certification. There are now 30 landscape projects at universities, businesses and public spaces that have achieved this recognition. The SITES rating system was created by dozens of the countrys leading sustainability experts, scientists and design professionals.

The four newly certified projects each incorporate sustainable features that were evaluated using a rating system with certification levels of one to four stars. These landscape projects include the following sustainable features:

Pete V. Domenici United States Courthouse Sustainable Landscape Renovation, Two Stars, Rios Clementi Hale Studios, Albuquerque, N.M. This federal courthouse is the first project constructed by the General Services Administration to achieve SITES certification. Originally constructed in 1998, the underutilized hardscaped plazas, overwatered lawns and faulty water feature of the existing courthouse exemplified resource inefficiency, disconnection from its environment, and distance from the public. The landscape renovation reconceives the site as a cohesive park-like landscape rooted within the rich cultural, climatic and hydrological fabric of the Rio Grande Basin. Innovative strategies include the selective removal and re-use of excess concrete paving to create seat wall terraces which direct site storm water into a series of native habitat rain gardens. The project creates a bold landscape and dignified setting for court operations while enhancing the efficiency and sustainable operations through improved water management, decreased energy use and increased urban habitat.

Brent Elementary Schoolyard Greening, One Star, Sustainable Life Designs, Washington, D.C. Located five blocks from the nations Capitol, this greyfield site with asphalt dominated grounds was transformed into a sustainable landscape that educates students, parents, and neighborhood residents about green infrastructure. Improvements include the removal of 1,600 square feet of asphalt and the installation of pollinator gardens, stormwater management features, new play equipment, and 7,000 square feet of outdoor classrooms to enhance outdoor play and learning that were achieved through numerous volunteer hours. The stormwater management features include a rain garden, rain barrel, and bio-retention swale. A formerly trash-strewn space behind the school building is now an urban canyon" that helps manage stormwater and provides native habitat.

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Four Landscape Projects Bring Total to 30 Certified by National Sustainability Rating System

Susan Reed, Landscape Architect - Landscape Architect - Shelburne Falls, MA
If you are looking for one of the best Landscape Architects near Shelburne Falls, MA then contact Susan Reed today! Susan Reed, Landscape Architect Shelburne...

By: Susan Reed, Landscape Architect

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Susan Reed, Landscape Architect - Landscape Architect - Shelburne Falls, MA - Video

Author and historian Phil Nuxhall is set to provide a virtual tour of two historic cemeteries with ties to renowned landscape architect Adolph Strauch.

Nuxhall, the son of legendary Reds pitcher and radio broadcaster Joe Nuxhall, will discuss the Spring Grove and Greenwood cemeteries at the Celebrating Self Luncheon Series at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts. The event is set for Feb. 12 in the Carruthers Signature Ballroom at the center located at 101 S. Monument Ave.

Nuxhall will focus on the cemeteries history, art, architecture and landscape. The presentation will feature photos from his book, Beauty in the Grove: Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum, and vintage photos from Greenwood Cemetery in Hamilton.

Strauch is known for his designs of Spring Grove Cemetery, Eden Park and Burnet Woods in Cincinnati, as well as Graceland Cemetery in Chicago.

The Celebrating Self Luncheon Series is a casual and informative luncheon series featuring regional speakers. The Carruthers Signature Ballroom opens at 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 12 with a buffet lunch by Coach House Catering and musical entertainment by Treva Boardman.

The cost for the luncheon is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. For tickets, call 513-863-8873 ext. 110 or visit http://www.fittoncenter.org.

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Phil Nuxhall to speak at the Fitton Center

ASLA Green Roof

Learn more about how landscape architects can save cities millions of dollars, reduce obesity, and more.

Restoring endangered wetlands, reducing hospital stays, securing government and other buildings, removing toxins from rainwater these aren't pie in the sky. It's what landscape architects are designing right now. A few examples include:

Healing gardens Working with medical professionals, landscape architects create landscapes that reduce stress, boost the immune system, improve Alzheimer's symptoms, encourage physical activity, and reduce time spent in hospitals.

Bioremediation Landscape architects use natural systems of plants, fungi, or soil microbes to transform formerly polluted industrial sites into a safe and valuable public green space.

Green Roofs Instead of a black tar roof, a living system of plants and soil can actually reduce air temperature by 59 degrees in the summer, save winter heating costs, clean and store rainwater, and provide habitat to pollinating insects and birds.

Energy Savings Landscape architects can utilize trees, shrubs and other plants to lower a home's heating/cool costs by as much as 50 percent in the summer and up to 8 percent in the winter.

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Landscape Architecture - Your Environment. Designed.

Landscape Architecture: It Is Not Gardening - Corthan Bearder
Landscape architecture is the design of outdoor public areas, landmarks, and structures to achieve environmental, social-behavioral, or aesthetic outcomes. I...

By: Corthan Bearder

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Landscape Architecture: It Is Not Gardening - Corthan Bearder - Video

National Artist for Architecture Ildefonso Santos. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Cultural Center of the Philippines

MANILA, PhilippinesThe Cultural Center of the Philippines will pay tribute to National Artist for Architecture Ildefonso P. Santos, Jr. in a necrological ceremony on Sunday, February 2 at 9 a.m. at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo lobby (Main Theater lobby). Interment will follow at the Magallanes Crypt.

Santos passed away on January 29 due to multiple organ failure. He was 84.

Santos was a pioneer in landscape architecture in the Philippines and known as the Father of Philippine Landscape Architecture. He had a distinguished career that spanned more than 40 years and was responsible for the creation of hundreds of parks, plazas, gardens, and outdoor sites that have become a part of modern day Filipino life.

Proclaimed National Artist for Architecture in 2006, he was cited for designs that took inspiration from the Filipino celebration of free-flowing, positive, maaliwalas space. He understood and accommodated Filipino physiological, behavioural and social needs in providing shade, providing opportunities for close seating and the sharing of food and laughter in his public spaces.

The National Artist Award also recognized his contributions to the professionalization of the field of landscape architecture. Santos helped established the first university programs in landscape architecture and advocated for the recognition of the art and profession by the government and allied fields. He also organized the Philippine Association of Landscape Architects.

Among Santos well-known projects were Loyola Memorial Park in Manila, the Eternal Gardens Memorial Park in Caloocan City, the Caliraya Lake Resort in Laguna, the Batulao Village Club in Batangas, the Imus town plaza in Cavite and the Rain Tree Sports Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Santos was awarded the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award by the City of Manila in 1972 and named Outstanding Landscape Architect by the United Garden Clubs of the Philippines in 1986.

Santos held two degrees in Architecture from the University of Santo Tomas (1954) and the University of Southern California (1956), where he also earned his masters degree. From 1955 to 1963, He worked in Los Angeles with Cornell, Bridges and Troller, and then later established his own firm in the Philippines. He oversaw projects in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Guam, Thailand, Singapore, Taipei and Bahrain. Santos was president of the Philippine Association of Landscape Architects from 1977 to 1986 and was a member of the Board of Examiners for Landscape Architecture of the Professional Regulation Commission from 1982 to 1986.

Santos was born September 5, 1929 to Ildefonso Santos and Asuncion Paez. RELATED STORIES

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CCP holds necro rites for National Artist for Architecture Ildefonso Santos

Yasmin Barhum: Between Faith and Ecology
Yasmin Barhum, landscape architect and facilitator at "Living in the Levant"at the ICSD #39;s women #39;s seminar "Between Faith and Ecology"

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Yasmin Barhum: Between Faith and Ecology - Video

Downstream Solution Architect - Engineering Data Management - SmartPlant

The role involves delivering solutions for a client engagement throughout the full client delivery lifecycle. The Lead Consultant may have managerial responsibilities towards the team of analysts and consultants and leads project planning and delivery effort from the domain team. As an individual domain contributor, the Lead consultant builds value through deep process expertise and client manager engagement capabilities

*Good knowledge of overall business & technology landscape and geo variations *Required Domain Certifications ( External / Internal) *Awareness of global industry trends and directions and its impact on IT services, and the organizations capability in the domain *Know-how on Project Management & feedback mechanisms to be able to elicit & deliver status updates and feedback to the client *Understanding of the employer's capabilities outside of the domain *Possesses a broad knowledge of background, processes and issues and has an in-depth knowledge in 1/2 two process areas *Ability to design requirement gathering for a low-medium complexity program can visualize process changes; system changes etc. *Communicate and coach the team on development methodologies, change management policies and processes; ensure these are adhered to according to IT Methodology; *Plan, direct and coordinate activities to manage and implement business objectives related to the SPF environments; *Communicate effectively with the business stakeholders to identify requirements and evaluate alternative business solutions; *Identify risks to business processes and data related to SPF environments and develop mitigation strategies to handle these; work with team and business to implement these strategies; *Effectively communicate relevant information to stakeholders and support team supervisors/management and provide alternatives for problem resolution; *Provide input to Application Support Strategies as part of the wider team; participate in ensuring the strategies are communicated effectively to the business and other stakeholders; *Develop roadmaps of how the SPF application and related interfaces will be used by the organization; this includes planning for new releases, service packs and hot fixes as well as custom development and configuration; *Keep up to date on new developments and tools that will help enhance the SPF environment, both from a performance and feature basis;

Personal Skills/Attributes *Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal; *Ability to travel domestically as well as internationally *Ability to work well in a team environment and also individually when required;

Education/Experience *Extensive experience with Intergraph products, specifically Smart Plant Foundation; *Deep knowledge in other Asset Information Management and Engineering Data Management tools. *10+ years in the IT industry with broad exposure to applications development and support; *Broad exposure to Microsoft and Oracle tools (certifications preferred), including VB.Net, SQL Server, Oracle SQL, MS Access, IIS, XML, Java;

*Please submit CV's in Microsoft Word format*

Due to the high number of applications, it is likely that you have been unsuccessful in your search if you have not heard a response within 4 business days. For more information about this role please contact our Houston office

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Solutions Architect

Members of the Architectural Commission approved plans for seven new homes including two island-classical spec houses but deferred a new contemporary-style home at its meeting Wednesday.

Although the commission gave architect Roger P. Janssen the OK on his designs for 256 Palmo Way and 1269 N. Lake Way, both owned by Llywd Eccelstone III, they were not impressed.

Theyre all starting to look alike, Roger, said member Ann Vanneck. We went to far too many houses in the Mediterranean style; now were swinging the other way. I would like to see a little bit more individualism to the house.

Chairman Robert Vila said, We could end up now going through a period of a few years of economic prosperity where we see a lot of speculative building, and we want to make sure we have a variety in the picture.

The house on Palmo Way is being developed in an L-shape, Janssen said. Its essentially a two-story H building at the middle; and a two-story wing with a one-story element to the front running down the east side. The garage is at the rear of the property.

The residence features white stucco, a stained-mahogany door, casement windows, French doors, flat-cement-roof tile, and a courtyard wall enclosing a dining-room bay.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the architecture and landscaping on condition that the landscape architect address a privacy issue on the east side of the property and exchange a few trees.

The two-story L-shape North Lake Way house features a main two-story body, one-story wings, and a front-loading garage with an open courtyard and pool in the back. It also has dark-blue colonial shutters, a one-story entry portico, flat-cement-tile roof and white stucco.

Vincent Ricardel, 1285 N. Lake Way, told the commission he is concerned about drainage and privacy. That area has been a high flood area for a very long time. Im concerned about water fall-off from the property.

He also requested a 12-foot or higher hedge along the north property line, because 6-foot hedges are not adequately high enough to ensure privacy.

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ARCOM approves seven new homes