Where does the time go?

...ok ok, a little embarassed to think that its been so freakin' long since my last post, and I wish I coulds say that this blog and the design project were the ONLY thing going on in my life....Ha!!!...I wish! Since my last post, the graduating senior class (with the help of us juniors) managed to clear out, clean out, remove, demolish, deconstuct, annihilate, flatten the current plots that will be our future homes (next years display)....see pic!

....Yes, as you can see a clean slate! Refreshing, hopeful, magical! When does it all begin you are wondering??? We just got our new class shcedule for next January. 6 classes....YIKES!...but one being Landscape Construction where we actually put this 'thang' together. I will keep you posted on the 'magic'......plus include the garden design.....OOOOOooooohhhh! Aaaaaaahhhhhh!

'Sound' familiar?

It's been awhile since my last post, but the design process is alive and well. Just to give you an update in the past month. Our design team met on several occasions and were able to come up with a concept revolving around the theme of sound. Instead of creating a space with obviuos noised, i.e. birds, water, chimes, wind, etc....We decided on emotions that evoke sound. This gives the garden visitor the opportunity to observe the space while the 'scene' within the space triggers something familiar for the visitor.

...Moving Through the Challenge.....

... Last week, we took a site tour of our future exhibition garden spaces here at Longwood. This gave us (the junior class) an opportunity to see what we are dealing with. I'll speak for myself here, it's a challenge to try and imagine an entirely new conceptual design when there is a current, actively growing garden occupying the space in front of me (these new designs will be replacing the current senior class gardens). Not sure what would be harder for me, trying to picture a conceptual design from a 'blank canvas', or from an existing space???? Hmmmmm. Hopefully, over time I will be able to tap that source! .....this coming Friday, I am collaborating, elaborating, contemplating, brewing, stewing, chewing, figuring out, and hashing out some ideas with my fellow designers.... looking forward to working with them. Sharing my thoughts, my ideas, my vision with others is a little scary, challenging, but also necessary and exciting!!!!! Will keep you posted on how it goes........

What does the garden hear?

The space around us has every right to take in the same sounds that we do. I mean think about it......We take great pleasure in the wind through the rushes. What great company and sounds for the rushes themselves. The vision for this project should accomplish one thing....to provide not only me and you with auditory pleasantries, but creating a symphony of sound for the earth below as well. Believe me....She does listen, sometimes way more patiently than we give credit to.

What do we hear?

It's a privilege to even be able to hear. When I actually take a moment (few and far between...but necessary), I try and take in the sounds around me. Right now it's about 5:30 a.m. on a typical weekday. I set my alarm, but it really wasn't needed. The birds do it for me....usually around 5a.m. Not to seem corny as hell, but the birds start up every morning at first light. They themselves are making an association, a connection between senses....sight and sound....They create a sensory palate, not only for themselves, but also for me....the listener..In the next coming months, this is what I hope to achieve.....the ability to connect senses within a garden space.

Thoughts and Design

I am currently in my first landscape design course here at Longwood Gardens. Along with other classes, this is a 12 week course studying the basics of design. In addition to learning these essentials, we (the students) are required to develop and design an exhibition space that will be constructed and displayed in the spring. Recently, Longwood has made a decision to focus their attention on the 5 senses. Currently the gardens are promoting fragrance, thus exhibiting the scent of flowers, along with the perfumes that flowers can create. Next year's theme....SOUND! This is providing a bit of a challenge, but this blog will hopefully follow my mental process throughout the journey as my team and I design an exhibition garden around the theme of sound!