Water wrongs

Me and my wife were watching the news the other night when a story came on that made me think. Before I had talked about the car dealership here in Salt Lake that was capturing rain water from the roof and using it to wash their cars. Well the City has declared such actions illegal. Yes you read me right it is against the law to harvest rainwater in Utah. The reason is that by capturing the rainwater you are denying the people downstream. So by keeping the nasty roof water in Salt Lake they can't use it to water the cotton downstream. I understand the logic but it just seems so stupid. It also makes me mad t0 think that people who are trying to be environmentally conscious and do good things get slapped in the face in the name of bureaucracy. That is just my opinion. In the end the car dealership was able to work out a deal with the city but the city official on the news basically said that people who harvest rainwater on their home to water their grass and garden are breaking the law. When the reporter asked if they would be enforcing this law the official said that they have bigger fish to fry. So, if they are not going to enforce the law why don't they change it so that home owners can collect rainwater legally. Anyways think what you will, I still plan on keeping the rain that falls on my roof for my plants. Geurilla gardening all the way!

Paper toys

I have recentyl become enchanted with paper toys. It this great combination of origami, model building, and fun. If you are bored at the office and you don't think you will get caught. http://toypaper.co.uk/ Here is a good place to start. I am making the eyecannon right after I finish a report.

An exercise in futility

That is what my boss called the project that I have been working on for the past couple of weeks.

So, at the moment I don't really want to do any work at all right now. I am debating wither I should go and start a new research project, go downstairs and just goof off for the next 3 hours or maybe I should finish my project anyways and then prove to them all how useful it can be. Dunno. I am going to get a coke. Peace out.

A Green Car Dealership

The other day I was able to tour a car dealership in the final phases of construction. While I was talking with the guy giving us the tour he mentioned that there will be huge cisterns under the parking lot that will collect and store rainwater. This rainwater would then be used for irrigation and for the on site car wash. I was impressed and jokingly asked if the building was going for LEED certification. My guide then told me that they were shooting for Gold. I was surprised, I mean I had never thought of a car dealership as an environmentally friendly building. Inside we saw that a good deal of the wood detailing is bamboo, they have skylights that have lenses that track the sun. These were really cool, the skylights will always ensure that a whole bunch of sunlight gets into the building, but whenever there is not enough light due to storms, eclipses, etc... then a computer adjusts the lights so there will always be ambient illumination. Anyways, the bathrooms also use Airblade technology from Dyson, http://www.dysonairblade.com//?sinavtype=menu. Yes, I know that Dyson makes vacuums but they can make other things, why shouldn't they. And in the mechanics shop they have hoses that you stick on the end of the tail pipe and while people are working on the car the hose sucks the exhaust out and releases it outside. No more carbon monoxide deaths here! I you are looking to buy a Toyota or are just curious to learn more about a LEED Dealership go here. http://www.markmillertoyota.com/index.htm What I want to know is this a vision of things to come? Is this a gimmick to lure in customers with the promise of easing their conscious as they purchase a gas guzzler from a green building? I don't know. I can't afford a car so I might never know.

Parking Day, Sept 19, 2008

Check out this Website. http://www.parkingday.org/ In essence what you do is you take a parking stall and convert it into a landscape for the day. It is supposed to be a statement about replacing cars with greenery and getting people to stop and think about what a automobilecentric life we lead. I think we should do this as an ASLA activity or just as a promotion for Landscape Architecture. I think that a parking stall that is in high demand would get a lot of attention either on or off of campus. I propose that we feed the meter so it is all nice and legal but if anyone is interested let me know.

Brown Bag Concert

This whole week the Salt Lake City Brown Bag Concert Series has been playing in our buildings plaza. Everyone from the adjoining area was invited to this free concert series which moves to a different public space each week, bringing music to the masses. The music ranged from Illinois Swamp Music to 80's wannabe Pop. Most of the time the bands were too loud for background music and but not today. This lunchtime we were treated to a trio playing Parisian esque accordion, bass, and jazz guitar riffs. It was nice , the melodies set a romantic mood for downtown SLC. I really think that the french have the right idea about lunches; sit around for two hours listening to light music and eating your lunch in peace while enjoying the parade of passer byes. All in all I think that the Concert series is a great example of programing, so kudos to the Salt Lake City Arts Council. Go Accordion Players! Makes me want to learn how to play.

Everyone should see this movie.

I did not want to steal an image of Pixar's Walle movie but you all need to see it. Not just because it is visually stunning and humorous but because it describes a certain aspect of the human condition in a very haunting way. The movie abides by the classic "What if?" question that, in my opinion, defines science fiction. Anyways go see it and never, ever buy a cupcake in a cup.

Hello Blogosphere!

Alright- here's the plan: This is the place I plan to track the great accomplishments and humiliating blunders of my first summer on the job at an International Landscape Architecture/Architecture/Engineering Firm, namely the IBI Group in Salt Lake City, Utah. So come along, you belong, feel the fizz of Cuckoo Cola.