AboutMark Expertise Design of landscape structures and design of planting arrangements in the landscape. I usually do not answer questions of a horticultural nature or about growing plants or gardening unless they are related to design. I will answer these questions at my discretion. I will answer maintenance questions at my discretion,usually when they are related to design. I am a landscape designer. I am not a contractor or a gardener.
Here are example categories of problems I can help you with: Design of residential walks,low walls,low retaining walls,fences,drainage systems,arbors,plant selection,xeriscapes (low water use landscapes),rain garden design,rain water harvesting,permeable paving,sustainable drainage. No advise on an architectural or engineering level.
I do not perform actual design work through this site. I only provide suggestions and advice.
I am a skilled draftsman and can advise you about the kind of drawings,permits and construction documents you may need for your landscape project. Any landscape project should be layed out on a drawing but larger projects in particular,that may be contracted out,should have drawings and specifications for cost and quantity estimates and for competitive bids. A drawing and specifications will also become part of any contract made with a contractor and enhances the clients protection.
Experience Landscape concept plan for a 30,000 square feet housing site. Involved site recon by pace measurements and photographs and a site analysis and a site analysis report and recommendations and a preliminary cost estimate. Design elements included canopy trees,shrub cover,accent flowers,trash receptacles,benches and planters.
Landscape concept plan for a 7,000 square feet site for a community center. Involved site recon by tape measurements and photographs,a site analysis and the creation of 3 conceptual designs for the site.
Work was done through a local professional design center. Design elements included
tree garden,playground,sitting area,lawn,cooking area,lighting and concrete and brick paving.
Landscape concept plan for a 3,000 square feet housing site. Involved site recon by tape measurements and photographs and a site analysis.
Concluded in 3 concept designs for the site,shown at a formal presentation,a site analysis and recommendations. Work was done through a community volunteer program. Design elements included decks,a playground and fencing.
Briefly as draftsman for landscape designer/gardener.
Conceptual landscape design for residence. Involved site recon by tape and pace measurements and site analysis. Design included covered patio area,ground cover and flower beds.
Two years experience as draftsman for transportation department in engineering firm and for engineering consultants to phone company. Duties consisted of plotting topography.
Survey crew member. General assistant to surveyor. Work was done for U.S. Army and County Highway Department. No instrument work. Duties included tape measurement,holding graduated survey rod and plumb bob for sighting and clearing brush.
Marketed Landscape Design Services. Brochure writing,promotional material and marketing graphics.
Education/Credentials Course in Computer Aided Drafting. 700 hours in AutoCad 2000. 700 hours to date on AutoCad Light 2000.
Certificate in Manual Drafting. 1200 hours drafting time.
Course in Civil Engineering Technology. (One Semester)
Awards and Honors From Civil Engineer:
I am very impressed with your work and with the obvious thought you have put into the marketing of your venture. It was especially good to see a print of that job we discussed on the phone. I wish you much luck with the venture as I do with your plans for school. Im darn proud of you buddy. And by the way,when I get my license,maybe you will consider me for a consulting job down the road. I hope to get together with Rick sometime soon and I would really like to show him your stuff if its ok with you. From all these questions you ask I get the feeling that you are genuinely interested and have put alot of thought into the idea and process of landscape architecture and if you could possibly afford the cost I would urge you to take some classes in the areas you are most interested in. The subject is not so simple as it appears,mixing science and engineering with art and a certain amount of religion to create a comfortable and pleasing balance between man and nature. A thoughtful soul like yours can do this but it can be a lifes work getting it right.
Question We are bothered by noise from a neighbor's gas-fired pool heater exhaust vents which point in our direction. The slope of the properties prevents any mitigation measures on our end, but our neighbor is willing to have us address the noise on his property at the source. The gas company troubleshooter said we should address the problem through landscaping. What would you recommend we do?
Answer Hello,
I would suggest some type of acoustic wall and/or an insulated enclosure for the heater.Walls can be constructed of concrete,masonry or wood. The most effective would be concrete filled with solid foam insulation. Locate the wall as close to the noise source as possible.
A concrete wall would consist of a series of horizontal concrete boards layed into slots in concrete posts,the space between the outside and inside concrete boards being filled with solid foam insulation. The structure must continue to the ground since noise will get through any gaps at ground level.
An ordinary concrete block,stone or brick wall will also have some sound deadening effect. A concrete block wall filled with solid foam in the openings in the individual blocks would be much more effective.
The comparitively least effective sound barrier would be a wooden timber fence. This type of fence consists of heavy timbers layed horizontally between timber supports. An ordinary wooden fence would not be very effective since it is too thin and sound would transmit through any gaps in the fence.
Another type of wooden fence could be made of exterior plywood panels with solid foam insulation sandwiched between. An exterior plywood fence may have a shorter lifespan than other wood fence types. The plywood must be kept coated.
It is important to seal the tops of all foam filled fences to keep water out. Build the fence as high and as long as possible. Most likely the fence will have to be constructed over the legal fence height for your area and you may need to apply for a variance from your zoning board.
You might also want to consider an acoustic enclosure for the heater. This is an insulated box that would surround the heater. This option would be alot cheaper than a concrete fence but I cannot tell you how effective it would be.
Noise also may be coming from moving parts in the heater and/or expansion and contraction from heat and cooling. Perhaps the heater can be noise isolated,rubber boots,pads,etc..applied to the heater to stop noise from vibrations. Some noise may be coming from vibrations that transmit through the ground and air and reverberate off building surfaces. Since you are downslope,perhaps some noise is reverberating inside the area created by the slope.
Manufacturers of this type of equipment often do not make a serious effort at sound engineering even though such engineering can often be done at comparitively low cost. Perhaps the heater could be replaced with a quieter model. Good luck. Let me know if I can be of further help.
