Happy New Year...

..you don't look back because there is nothing to see...

~Osho~

O4D Studies Greening Strategies for Pittsburgh's Oakland Business District

The "rogue" crabapple above is the only sign of life (the leafy kind) along several blocks of Forbes Avenue.

One of O4D's first projects as a group is almost complete! We've been working on a feasibility study for the Oakland Neighborhood Improvement District to study the addition of street trees and other greening as well as locate several new bike racks. The study area is mainly along Forbes Avenue and includes 3 side streets: Meyran, Atwood & Oakland. If you are familiar with this area, you know that it is dense & urban, with lots of student foot traffic. The three lanes of heavy traffic along Forbes Avenue make the zone a gateway to the PITT and CMU campuses as well as UPMC and the larger East End neighborhoods. Origin 4 Design partnered with Evaine Sing, RLA on the study.

The other notable factor for this area is that it is largely void of TREES and green in general. This past summer, sidewalks were widened with "bump-outs" at many intersections in the name of pedestrian safety. New lighting, banners and baskets were also added. Our study looks at each streescape and weighs the possibility for accommodating trees. This included gathering as much information as possible about what was going on below ground.

The benefits of trees are many: cooler & cleaner air & buildings, increased traffic safety, greater time & money spent by patrons in the businesses (increased comfort and aesthetics).

Proposed tree (maybe I should tone down that yellow a bit) at the corner of Oakland and Forbes Avenues.

For areas where trees were not possible due to utilities above or below the sidewalk, there are other options for green. Below, the first two images are some very informal and inexpensive greening spotted in other cities. The far right is actually two blocks from my house in Friendship. This monster vine has completely overtaken the parking sign & even now in December still looks like this (OK so we haven't had much of a freeze yet). Green - simple - hardy. Wonder if it volunteered or was planted by someone?

Laser Scanning at Fallingwater: Day 1

O4d began its first laser scanning commission through the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy at Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater in Mill Run, PA. Many have asked us "just what exactly is laser scanning" and "how does the process work?" Hopefully, this blog post, and the ones that follow, will help demonstrate this technology, its process, and its application to analysis and design.


Here, the great gesture of modern architecture meets today's standard for electronic documentation: the Faro Laser Scanner! This fabulous piece of equipment is part of O4d's in-house repertoire, a unique holding for landscape architects. Our intent is to utilize this technology as a stand-alone service for site and architecture documentation, particularly for historic resources. We also intend to incorporate the laser scanning technology into our design process, enabling our team to make smarter site design decisions. Our goal is to be able to assist our clients in developing BIM modeling and process for their projects.



The field operation of the laser scanner is rather simple. As demonstrated above, Charlie (the resident expert of O4d) guides Michael Hasenmyer (assistant professor at West Virginia University) during the processing of raw data. The laser is positioned on a tripod, aimed at the target, and controlled by an operator from a laptop. The laptop runs software that controls the rotation of the laser as well as the scanning resolution.

Data, in both 3D and point-cloud, is ready for immediate viewing once the scan is complete. We are able to quickly assess the quality of the image, and make necessary changes. Once the desired image and quality is achieved, the image and corresponding data is saved to the laptop.

The above image is an example of unprocessed data from the laser scanner as it would be displayed on the field laptop. The laser scanner was positioned on the bridge to the main house. The length of time necessary for the scanner to capture the detail in the field at this resolution was roughly 5 minutes.

Here, Charlie is placing the marker "orbs" along the path around the house. These orbs allow the modeling software to "merge" several scans in the same area. The data to the right depicts the orbs; after processing, the orbs will not appear in the final rendering of data.

We will be returning to Fallingwater in the upcoming weeks to continue documentation of the exterior as well as the interior and her extensive art collection. Please check back for new images and details of the process!

Please Note: Images copyrighted by Origin4design and used by permission of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

O4D Expands the Mind...

...by attending two unique educational opportunities! Dirty, to those thinking otherwise...

The first event, on Friday, November 6, was hosted by the Cultural Landscape Foundation and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, at the Warhol Museum. The event, titled The Hunter and Philosopher: John O. Simonds Pioneer Landscape Architect examined the life, philosophy, and works of Pittsburgh's premier landscape architect.

The event called attention to the likely demise of many "American Landscapes", including Simond's Mellon Square in downtown Pittsburgh. Restoration of Mellon Square, including plans and techniques, was the eventual focus of the event.

Here, O4D listens intently to perspectives on Simonds and the recognized potential of Pittsburgh to remain at the forefront of landscape architecture and public space utilization. Like Simonds, O4D recognizes the unique topographical characteristics of Pittsburgh and her surrounding regions while heeding the call to be masters of environmental design and ushers of collaboration within the profession.


The next day, Saturday November 7, Rebecca and I attended the Nile Mile Run Watershed: State of the Watershed 2009. Held every two years, the event touts the efforts of those involved in improving water quality of the watershed through various remedial efforts.


Held at the Pittsburgh City Schools' Charter School for Environmental Education in Regent Square, the event hosted a panel discussion by the water quality monitoring team. Keynote speaker, Tom Biebighauser, a biologist from the US Fish and Wildlife Foundation, talked to the ease of wetland design and construction. With over 1,000 wetlands constructed from his efforts, Tom related how important wetlands are to biodiversity. Here, Rebecca has the opportunity to meet Tom and purchase his guidebook on restoration and construction.

O4D was excited by this opportunity; as landscape architects we are often asked about inexpensive design opportunities for surface water and runoff in both urban and rural contexts. We were able to witness examples of wetlands in both applications, particularly their success and benefit to the communities they serve. O4D is excited to implement their new perspectives on wetlands with the confidence of their affordability and application.

Volunteering at Fallingwater

Yesterday, I ventured deep into the hills of Fayette County...only to find the most impressive gesture of modern man's integration into nature: Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater in Mill Run, PA...

...like her previous residents and the many who ventured before me, I consider this place sacred; as Frank Lloyd Wright himself commented: Nature is the only body of god we shall ever see...

The illustrations and perspectives above are from my internship at Fallingwater in the summer of 2007. One of my projects was to examine the surroundings of the canopy connecting the main house to the guest house; a compliment to both the site and the architecture, the canopy is a stopping point on the tour, subject to close examination and appreciation of detail...

After several design reviews with Justin Gunther, Curator of Buildings and Grounds, approval was given for the implementation of the design. The design was completed a few weeks later and introduced native species in a simplified and contextual arrangement.
Aside from the arrangement of plant material and the erradication of noxious species, the greatest change exposed the supporting rockface, the very foundation of the main house...here, the visitor can now witness the exact merger of nature and architecture, of God and man...

I took the above photo yesterday after a few minutes of caretaking; I enjoy watching the space mature, evolve, and continue to thrive...


On to another task...assisting Horticultural Specialist (and close friend), Ann Talarek, in repairing the edging along the pedestrian path to the house...

...The objective of the project was to provide an aged, naturalistic setting that guides visitors along the established footpath... the introduction of native plant material interacts with rock born of site, creating an interpretation that will hopefully go unnoticed...successfully harmonizing our efforts with the established environment and visitor expectations of place...

Despite the surrealistic lure of my surroundings and the company of close friends, my time here was only temporary... the approaching Pennsylvania rain and cold may have ended my day, but my heart remains...till text time!

Dan Kiley in Columbus, IN

Last week I visited my sister's family in Columbus, Indiana. My sister works for Cummins - the engine company based in Columbus. Cummins has been paying the architect's fees for public buildings since the late 1950's which has resulted in a small midwestern city that is also a mecca for modern architecture. It has been ranked 4th in the country behind New York, Chicago and Los Angeles for significant architecture. Just a short walk from my sister's suburban house is Eero Saarinen's North Christian Church. Dan Kiley worked closely with Saarinen on the site's landscape design, one of several collaborations between the two. Another Kiley/Saarinen masterpiece, the Miller House, was recently purchased by the Indianapolis Museum of Art and is scheduled to open to the public in 2011. ...I look forward to it!

The following text is taken from the Columbus, IN Convention & Visitors Bureau website...

"Kiley designed numerous Columbus projects – both public and private. Perhaps the most cherished Kiley landscape is that of North Christian Church, the last building architect Eero Saarinen designed before his death in 1961. It is the last of three buildings in Columbus that he and Dan Kiley worked on together. The building is integrated into the fabric of the site instead of being an object surrounded by plantings."

"The entry sequence consists of a long curving drive that runs through open woods of old native hardwoods, to a series of parking lots formed into courtyards and camouflaging vehicles by high hedges and perimeter trees. A low-pitched slate roof hovers over a berm and the surrounding magnolia grove, then suddenly soars skyward into a 192-foot high steeple. Maple allees define much of the perimeter of the property. A small meadow bounded by woods, allees, magnolia grove, and hedges affords the single unobstructed view of the building."

"Critic Grady Clay, in the June 1996 issue of Landscape Architecture described the design, saying, "It was and remains a strikingly successful marriage of structure and site design in the complex landscape of Columbus – a combination that, in my view has not since been surpassed."

Left: Horizontal drain pipe between concrete wedge curb at parking lot island - no surface inlets in the parking lot. Right: Tinted concrete curbing near the building entrance.

One of the 3 parking lot "rooms". Note there is no line striping - even at the HC spaces. Water slopes gently away toward the islands, flows through the pipes detailed above, crosses the parking lot access road just beyond then enters the lawn swale at the edge of the site.

A Walk in the Woods...WV Style

On September 21, Rebecca and I traveled to West Virginia to visit Coopers Rock State Forest. Sometimes, a landscape architect needs to head to the forested mountains to find a sense of clarity and inspiration. Sometimes, this can only be done on a barren rock face 2, 159 ft. above sea level...


Rebecca was intrigued by the historic pavilion constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Built between 1936-1942, the structure (as well as several others on site) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rebecca captured not only the structure, but the essence of its surroundings.

My interest was directed to the contrast of the forest that surrounded me: the strong form and rough texture accented by the smooth, twisted forms, both of which arise from the soft moss covered plane....


The forest floor offers great contrast itself...so many intricacies among a fragile balance of life and death.

West-by-God-Virginia, one of the greatest places on Earth! These images are from a short hike we took along the Virgin Hemlock Trail. I have no words for how beautiful and awe-inspiring this place is...

Ecological Restoration on the Prairie

...finally catching up to Laura's ASLA posts! I too had the opportunity to attend the annual conference in Chicago two weeks ago. I'd have to say that Chicago is my favorite US city and although we did get some time to explore beyond McCormick Place (rockin' blues and a salsa club that would make Ricky Recardo proud), the hi-light of the weekend for me was a full-day field session 40 minutes west of downtown to one of the most ecologically rich remnants of tall grass prairie. We learned that this 80 acre preserve owes its existance to the stock market crash of the 1920's. It was divided into residential lots in 1927, sidewalks were poured, but due to the crash that's exactly how it remained.

It is now the Wolf Road Nature Preserve and is managed by the IL Dept. of Natural Resources.

See the sidewalk?

Less than 1/100 of 1% of the Illinois prairie remains.

The plant to the far right is a "compass plant" named for its large leaves that follow the sun across the sky.

Our tour guide was Jack Pizzo of Pizzo Associates - a local company specializing in ecological restoration. Jack and his staff demonstrated several techniques from their tool kit including Seeding, spraying and may favorite... controlled burn. Much of the prairie shown here was burned about 1 year ago. It's a necessary step to maintain the prairie and control invasive species (the native americans practiced this method for 8,000 years and natural fires from lightening strikes also contribute). I'm wondering how often controlled burns are practiced in our region. They seem to be pretty common in the midwest. www.pizzo.info

ASLA Conference in Chicago...

Rebecca and I traveled to Chicago this weekend for the annual ASLA Conference & Expo. We used this opportunity to discuss the latest trends and products with respected leaders in the industry! My experience is detailed below...

I attended several informative sessions on digital graphics, restoring communities, stormwater management and design, economic opportunities, and business management and practice.

Aside from lectures and discussions, I felt obliged to discover some of the best site design Chicago has to offer...

Upon arrival at Millennium Park, I couldn't resist spending a few moments observing the interactive Crown Fountain...This piece illustrated how valuable art, water, and public participation is for a successful space.

Of course, no trip to Millennium Park is complete without visiting the Cloud Gate! Yours truly is attempting to make some interpretive public art...


One of the greatest aspects of the Cloud Gate is not only seeing yourself and people from all corners of Earth, but the reflection of Chicago's classic and modern architecture together. Like Billie the Kid said in the Dylan bio-pic I'm Not There, "..It's like you got yesterday, today and tomorrow, all in the same room. There's no telling what can happen."

Images of the past, present and future surround us all of only we look close enough; fortunately, these visions presented themselves to me on the same block of Michigan Avenue...

...So it would be fitting that two of Origin4Design's partners would find themselves alongside Chicago's testament to water as a resource. The future of landscape architecture depends on our ability to manage this resource while interpreting usage in a creative and aesthetic fashion.

For those of you who may be worried, Landscape Architects do have fun!

This is my good friend, fellow alum, and talented Landscape Architect, Laura Palimeno of Ledden Palimeno Landscaping. Here are some fun images from our time together...

...our nights on the town were as valuable as the conference lectures themselves. Good design understands the place and the people for which it serves. To better understand the parks, plazas and other forms of site design throughout the city, we needed to experience the city and her residents...Design is everywhere, and it's important to me to be continually thoughtful about my collective experiences and to learn from them all.

Volunteering at the West Virginia Botanic Garden

In an effort to keep my mind and body active, I headed to the best classroom on earth...the great outdoors! What better way to witness the earth's natural systems in action...

Today's classroom is the West Virginia Botanic Garden, an 82-acre site that is a former reservoir off the Tyrone Road in Monongalia County, WV. Currently, the garden displays planned gardens, natural settings, and historic elements of its past. Yes, it could be my Shangri-La...

As any WVU LA alum will attest, no outdoor classroom is complete without the guidance of George Longenecker; after all, he wrote the exam for WV's professional LA's! George provided the guidance for my internship at Fallingwater and fostered my interest in plant life.

Today, we focused on the lavishly designed butterfly garden. Comprised of plants native to the site and select ornamentals, the garden is patterned after a native butterfly in both color and form. We worked to prevent seeding and weeds while discussing various horticultural techniques and growth habits.

After completing our tasks for the afternoon, we explored the grounds, noting the variety of life and textures on the forest floor, stopping to admire the pristine view of the former reservoir, while witnessing some of the magic along the trail...

Mt. St. Macrinca Garden Revitalization

The luxurious home of Uniontown coal-baron J.V. Thompson, Oak Hill once hosted a lavish lifestyle, complete with exotic furnishings and over 1,000 acres of gardens, stables, and rolling hills. The home was occupied by Thompson during the height of his wealth from 1903 until his bankrupt death in 1933. Extreme opulence is often short-lived.

During Thompson's final illness, sale of the southeastern corner of the property was negotiated with the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great. Through the generosity of benefactors, the Order was able to renovate the property to include various accommodations for the monastery over the following years.

After formal dedication as a Byzantine Monestary in 1934, Mount St. Macrina became a gathering for thousands during the Labor Day Pilgrimage in Honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the largest and oldest event of its kind in the United States.

During this festival, an iconic meditation area and meeting place was established at the Lady of Victory Pond. Like many areas of historical significance, the passing of time (and the legal system) took its toll.

I became involved in the pond's revitalization efforts in the summer of 2008. Through the generosity of my Great Uncle George Kushner and with the blessing of the Order (represented by Sister Barbara Jean), planning began.


One of my sketches that was presented to the Order representing the expansion of the meditation garden. The scheme introduces a new fence, woody and perennial material, and a meandering path. The plant material consists of both historically accurate selections and complimentary natives for a unique interpretation.

In June 2009, through the efforts of my immediate family and closest friends, the vision for the prayer garden was realized. I wouldn't have made it this far, in design and in life, without their support!

The completed memorial prayer garden immediately after install...I'm looking forward to showcasing the garden's growth throughout the changing seasons. Please check back for updates!

For additional information on the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great and the Oak Hill property please click here. Again, I would like to thank the Sisters for the opportunity to express my vision for this iconic site!