Frequently, when I am measuring a home site to prepare a plan, I will have a conversation about what I do and how I do it. What is it that goes into the preparation of plans and proposals? How do you go about drawing up a property plan? I was reading a special centennial issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine the other day and was fascinated by plans by one of my absolutely favorite landscape architects - Tommy Church - and a photo of Fletcher Steele’s “landscape architect’s kit”.
Mr. Steele’s list of handy to the designer field tools from 1921 - included: ‘A folding pocket Kodak’ with an extra spool of film Sheets of cross section paper 100ft. steel tape Reflex compass Day & night prismatic compass Eureka steel tape repairers Six inch hand level 100ft. of chalk line Steven’s line level Rubber bands, paper clips, pen points, pocket leveling rod Soil acidity indicator, 2H, HB, 3B and 4H pencils Matches Architectural & engineering scales, The latest issue of Landscape Architecture “to beguile weary hours on the train” and Two nursery catalogs.
This list got me thinking about all the in-field measuring, drawing, marking and communication tools that I have used in my day, from charcoal pencils and cb radios in the good old days, to the laser levels and cellular tech of our digital age. At one point long ago I got a little carried away with my “kit”, outfitting a conversion van with a drafting table and desk, a portable printer and fridge. In that bygone era I would pull off at a scenic spot and draft away while gabbing with the crew on the cb. I could swing open the rear doors to access a pull-out drawing easel, surveying paint and a variety of homeowner giveaway catalogs. There’s something in our work that speaks to this need to have all your stuff with you, to be able to pack it into a satchel and open up your magic bag of tricks for your client.
These days, it’s all faster, cooler and more calculated though, a bit more precise, but less hand crafted, I think. We’ve gone from shape and mold to cut and paste and I’m not sure that we’re the better for it...
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