image: shawn balon
This January, as part of Design & Construction Week® (DCW) in Las Vegas, NV, NAHB’s International Builders’ Show® (IBS) hosted their annual “mega-event” that brought together more than 110,000 builders, general contractors, remodelers, designers, flooring professionals, as well as product specifiers from around the globe. Throughout the three-day event, attendees discovered an expansive universe of products and innovative concepts designed to enhance their businesses, design thinking, and living environments.
For the twelfth year, ASLA was on hand to exhibit and advocate to create a stronger presence for landscape architecture professionals. Along with our exhibit booth, we had the opportunity to work with local ASLA chapter members from Nevada, Arizona, and San Diego to create activities throughout the show. As part of the Design Studio, we participated in specialized seminars and activities alongside single-family and custom builders, multifamily and commercial builders, remodelers, architects, interior designers, and land planners.
The following is a quick overview of the sessions in which we participated:
“Ask a Landscape Architect”
Local chapter members took part in “Ask a Landscape Architect” at the ASLA exhibit booth throughout all three days. During this time, attendees were able to meet one-on-one with a landscape architecture professional and learn more about the value of working with landscape architects on all types of projects. This was an excellent opportunity to network and increase awareness of the value of landscape architecture for all participants. I even had the opportunity to assist in drawing a few design concepts for a participant’s residence in Puerto Rico!
image: shawn balon
Architecture, Interiors, & Site Design Plan Review Workshop
Local chapter members also participated in this one-on-one workshop where participants could spend up to 25 minutes having their residence/site plans reviewed by a designer. Professionals provided their creative ideas for changing or expanding the plans, maximizing aesthetic qualities, and creating sustainable goals in order to better meet the needs and expectations of the participant.
image: shawn balon
Landscape Plan Fixes – Enhancing Your Curb Appeal
With the assistance of some great volunteers, we created a “lunch and learn” presentation leading participants through the design process that landscape architecture professionals follow during a project’s development. Site analysis, conceptual design, construction documentation, and construction administration were just a few steps within the process presented to participants as they were led through a complete design exercise of a residential site plan in Arizona.
The International Builders’ Show takes its participants to Orlando, FL in 2017. Planning for the show will be underway in the near future and it would be great to continue participation to make a stronger presence for landscape architecture professionals. NAHB’s Request for Proposals will open in late March, so be on the lookout if you are interested in taking part!
by Shawn Balon, ASLA, Professional Practice Manager at ASLA