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New Projects on the Boards
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Here are just some of the projects we've added to the boards since our last newsletter in July.
Tiverton, RI Form Based Code
Cavite Street Park Design
Landscape Design for a multi-family residential complex in Easton, MA
Municipal Facilities Plan for Lexington, MA
Parking Study in Natick, MA
Private Residence Landscape Design in Lexington, MA
Facade Program in Norwood, MA
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Plan Views
from The Cecil Group
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Highlights
In this issue of Plan Views we'd like to introduce you to more from The Cecil Group's landscape department. First, meet Brandon. He's a landscape architect that joined The Cecil Group earlier this year. He's spent the better part of his career working with private sector clients and guiding them through efficient landscape design practices to help them save money on future maintenance costs by designing with the future in mind at the first meeting. He'll share some of his expertise in his article, The Grass is Not Always Greener.
We'd like to alert our clients in Connecticut that preservation grants will be available soon from the Connecticut Main Street Center. Details are below.
The Cecil Group is taking to the road this fall with a series of speaking engagements ranging from revitalization strategies for traditional village centers, to urban agriculture and the form of the city to municipal facilities planning strategies. We hope to see you at one or more of our talks.
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Meet Brandon
Earlier this year we welcomed a new member to our growing landscape department, Brandon Kunkel. A native New Englander and graduate of University of Rhode Island, Brandon comes to us from DLR Group in Arizona (after deciding he prefers the changing seasons to heat, regardless of how "dry" the heat is). He has worked on a wide range of projects types during his twelve year career including developing a rain water harvesting calculation system that allows designers and owners to streamline plant water use versus annual precipitation rates in the arid southwest climate. We had the chance to sit down with Brandon and find out a little more about the personality behind the landscape architect.
What design aesthetic best describes you? Simple modern; I hate clutter. Would you rather have a box of Oreos or a bag of salt and vinegar chips? Hands down, Oreos. What did you want to be when you grew up? I guess it was always something related to architecture or construction, but the 8 years of college was a little too much, so I went to school for civil engineering and then landscape architecture. Maybe I wanted to be a lumberjack-you get a saw and an axe. You have a plane ticket anywhere and two hours once you get there: where do you go? I would go to the South Pacific...let's say...Bali...and I would lounge on the beach...because even though I don't like the beach, I like peace and quiet and the finer things. |
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The Grass is Not Always Greener
Let's get one thing out of the way; "maintenance-free" landscapes are a myth. So please stop asking. Everything requires maintenance to be efficient and cost effective. Landscapes are no different. However, when embarking on a new development or other project you have several variables at your control at the onset of a project, starting with site development and a smart design process that can greatly reduce the maintenance required of your landscape and reduce your annual maintenance budget.
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Preservation of Place Grants Available
Soon for Connecticut Main Street Members
Connecticut Main Street Center expects to announce its sixth year of POP grant funding in early October. Grants for up to $10,000 can be applied for by CT Main Street members in good standing and used toward projects for the preservation and revitalization of their historic Main Street districts. Pre-applications must be submitted to determine eligibility before moving on to the full application, which is due November 20, 2012. More information, including grant application forms can be found here.
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 Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Both Steve Cecil and Ken Buckland will be presenting sessions at the Southern New England American Planning Association (SNEAPA) Conference, September 20 - 21 in Hartford, CT.
- Ken Buckland will participate on the panel I'll Take a Latte with that Building Permit, where they'll explore the changing structure of municipal facilities master plans.
- Steve Cecil will participate on the panels New Futures for Traditional Villages: A Balancing Act and Putting Cars in their Place: Walking, Biking and Parking
Learn more about the sessions Register In November, Steve Cecil and Ken Buckland will present on multiple panels at ArchitectureBoston Expo, November 14-16 in Boston, MA. Learn more about ABX Register |
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We hope you enjoyed this issue of Plan Views. Our aim is to provide you with useful information and update you on firm news. Is there other information you'd like to hear from us? Reply to this email and send us your feedback.
Sincerely,
The Cecil Group |
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