Ashley Crespo
Master of Landscape Architecture
Capstone Findings
December 2021
Hi, I'm Ashley!
I'm a third year MLA student who spent the last year questioning the use of software in Landscape Architecture professional practice. The goal of this site is to walk you through my experience as a graduate student interviewing landscape design professionals and sharing what I have learned through this process.
Keep scrolling to read what I have learned from fellow designers.
Quote from Interviewee
Research Process
My questions and commentary
Fall 2020
Version 1
My initial capstone proposal reflected my research into existing published data and personal interest in what tools designers are using and why. This line of questioning led to a list of goals I was hoping to understand by the end of the capstone process, while also highlighting potential gaps in the field of research compared to available data and my experience as a graduate student.
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This survey also highlighted designer interest in innovative softwares such as AR/VR, BIM and drones though none of which were being used frequently.
I wanted to know why these programs were of interest by not currently used.
Existing Data
ASLA Digital Technology PPN Survey from 2019 listed the most common programs from the 480 survey responses:
01
AutoCAD
02
Photoshop
03
Illustrator
04
SketchUp
05
GIS
Goals
Understand the use of digital collaborative tools in landscape architecture and design process
Understand the restrictions for software and tool selection
Understand the development of software workflow
Understand future software potential
Gaps
Professional to Professional the use of digital tools in the design process
Goals
Understand the use of digital collaborative tools in landscape architecture and design process
Understand the restrictions reasons for software and tool selection
Understand the development of software workflow and the desired audience of the final product
Understand future software potential
Gaps
Professional to Professional Standard use of digital tools in the design process
Existing Data
Web search and academic network
Who is using innovative software?
How do I find them?
Version 2
Spring 2021
The semester following my capstone proposal, I was determined to start the interview process. Though I had an understanding of what software were taught in school, and the 2019 ASLA survey hinted at what programs were used on daily basis, I was most curious in learning the why behind it all.
Why were the top 5 programs listed in the survey most common?
Why were other software not as popular?
Who was experimenting with the less common software and how could I find them?
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Initial Results
I found it difficult to search for firms who were innovative in software application.
I conducted 2 interviews directed at firms that explicitly shared research as part of design process AND were using AR/VR. This was newly part of my search criteria when looking for innovative software use.
The resulting interviews were narrow in focus, though more informative than I expected. Information gathered from these interviews were included in the analysis below.
When asked about how they learn about things happening in LA: "I don't read our industry stuff. I think Landscape Architecture, a lot of times, is very behind."
After my Spring semester and learning about the difficulties in searching for firms, I was left with two remaining questions.
Do I only need to interview firms that are innovative?
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Version 3
Fall 2021
After the experience of the first two interviews and some self questioning as to why I thought this was important, or at a minimum interesting to learn, I worked up an outreach plan to truly begin the interview process. Over the course of three months, interviews were requested, scheduled, recorded, transcribed and synthesized.
My initial questioning did remain the same, though my pool of potential firms was significantly bigger as I was no longer restricting myself to what I perceived as innovative.
Firms of Interest
Any firm with Landscape Architecture or Landscape Design component. My initial outreach was a mix of sources starting with local connections and alumni networking.
Methodology
Semi-structured interviews were held via Zoom for 30-60 minutes. Conversation was first guided by questions regarding which softwares were being used and where they fit within the design process.
What softwares were used?
Why they were used?
What softwares / tools/ workflows they wish existed?
What I Hoped to Learn
[In conversation about the types of softwares used] "Every program is like “that is almost as what we needed to do”"
Beyond the software checklist, I found value in understanding the design process, as that helped explain why specific softwares and plug ins were chosen and not just a list of what was used.
What agency do I have as a graduate student and emerging professional to run these interviews?
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This question came very early in the process as I was reaching out to the first set of firms of interest. Though I was curious about this topic, were designers willing to share what their experience was like with me?
Here's what actually happened:
Though the interview process started earlier this year, a bulk of the outreach and recording was concentrated in October of 2021.
Interview Distribution
When I first started, I did not know how many firms would respond to my initial email request. There was about a 2 week delay between initial email and interview scheduling. I was pleasantly surprised by the interest and support so early on into the outreach process.
Software Groupings
A total of all the software mentioned during interviews are represented to the right. An in-depth break down of each category can be found below
Definitions:
Software: Individual programs and tools used during design process and communications
Plugin: stand alone add ons that contribute to the function of the software
Scripting Language: Explicit mention of coding languages used
Data Collection: Independent tools that only function for field data collection
Process: Point cloud data as a process
Software Breakdown
Software Frequency
Softwares listed below are ranked from most mentioned to least. The 5 most common programs were very similar to the ASLA PPN survey.
I was surprised by the wide variety of programs that were mentioned during the interviews. While this is not a comprehensive list, it does hint at the diversity of work and software needs across each firm. The 5 most common softwares were similar to the 2019 ASLA survey.
Interview Results
Data from 21 interviews
SketchUp
01
AutoCAD
02
Photoshop
03
InDesign
04
Illustrator
05
Existing Data
ASLA Digital Technology PPN Survey (2019)
01
AutoCAD
02
Photoshop
03
Illustrator
04
SketchUp
05
GIS
[In a moment of self reflection about the design process and software use] "There's no one final, perfect program"
I kept Hand Drawing and Hand Rendering in as "software" due to how essential it was in the design process for so many firms. For designers using a digital sketch approach, this was mainly referred to by the name of the app used and kept as a separate process from analog sketching practice.
Communication softwares like Miro and Slack were questioned by the designers as something that was worth bringing up when discussing what was used on a daily basis. They are not the "traditional" design programs but it was clear these softwares were especially important for internal design communication the last two years given the transition to virtual work for many firms.
[On software selection in the firm] "A lot of the tools that we use were actually really not made specifically for landscape architecture"
Plugin Frequency
Additional Tools
For conversations that were more tech focused, we got to the level of detail of Plugin use. Each plugin is listed with the associated program of use first in the title.
There were a few tools and softwares that came in conversation that felt import to share. Scripting languages include CSharp, Python and R. The remaining three tools were used for field data collection prior to the design process.
Firm Breakdown
[On how information is shared within a firm]" I wish there was more internal firm discussion to make sure everyone knows the full potential of other departments and individuals."
To keep interviews anonymous, each was assigned a number during the data collection process. Interviews 12 and 18 were unique sessions that did not follow the traditional format of the previous interviews. These were left as to not skew the data significantly.
Data was collected from each firm to show software and tool breakdown at a glance. To read my synthesis of each interview, select the number below to be taken to a new page.
Wants and Wishes
Collaboration
-
Ability to collaborate more within Revit
-
Ability to collaborate between rendering programs (Lumion to Enscape)
-
Collaborative 3D modelling process
-
More annotation features in video conferencing programs
-
More collaboration tools for hybrid design work (in person and virtual contribution)
Workflow
-
Easier transition between hand written and digital
-
Build more 3D site elements in Revit
-
Want Revit and Rhino to work better with each other, ideally to fully integrate the information, but at a minimum, exchange files a bit more easily.
-
Archiving emails to project folders
-
Program that is not so rigid, like the process of using trace and walking through the arc of a design
[Wishful process in LA]
"I want a more interactive and educational way of detailing and designing"
[Personal reflection on what they wished they knew more about] "I wish that I had a little bit more of that sort of hands on knowledge, because that would make it into it would just inform my design process a little more"
Plant Material
-
Better plant selection in rendering programs
-
Ability to recreate forest depth more accurately [in rendering programs] and show the difference between open growth trees and forested trees
-
PlantNet equivalent for different age of trees over time (seedling to adult life)
-
Plant database - Repository of plants that have height, width, cultural requirements, wetland status, water needs, region, ph and photos
Software
[When asked about what they wished they had]
"I want a program that was made for LA in mind from the beginning"
-
Want to use LandFX but it is currently not compatible with AutoCAD Lite
-
GPS units that were user friendly and easy to download data from
-
View 3D model with before and after sliders on a web platform so that storytelling can be done through a website
-
Database of a cost estimating software that has all the unit costs ever need built into it.
-
3D modeling component and construction documentations all in one, more like Rhino for the 3D and Revit for the CD
-
Material linked to performance indicators to prevent the information from being lost when working in 2D
-
Ability to integrate proprietary knowledge into a program so that it is personal and informative to each and every firm
-
Single model format the can be used in all renders to help with consistency
-
A program like NearMap3D with access to instant cities 3D modeling without the large price point
-
More interactivity with SketchUp VR tool to allow for material change immediately
-
More fluid Terrain modeling
-
Cut and fill calculations and visuals made easier, especially when not working with a civil engineer
-
Automatic tally/quantities of items in a planting plan
-
More use of VR
-
Tablet with stylus to sketch while away from a printer and bring to a construction site
[Self reflection on how internal knowledge is acknowledged] "I think there's kind of this beauty in the lack of full technical sophistication, because that engenders some teamwork, I think, to an extent. So rather than everyone being able to do everything that they need to do from a workflow standpoint, the diversity is good in terms of skill set"
Comments like these were repeated a few times over where it sounds like a BIM software is what is being asked for but not currently used.
[On design process relating to software use] "As a project manager, it's just frustrating to see staff having to slog through drawing formatting, file sharing, and spending time doing that, but we're not spending it on, you know, design which is really why we're hired; not to figure out how to make software work"
[When asked about what they wished they could do but currently do not] "I wish I could use [programs] for homelessness and local application or pro - bono work. [Really] doing it for good and not just a focus on money and profit. I wish that was something that can be done more often."
What I Learned
As an emerging professional, I recognize the need to actively continue to question software potential and application ability in the design process. This information is not currently contained within a single resource, and often times not shared across firms and practices for the sake of competition and proprietary development.
As a student, I learned that there is an unwritten expectation of bringing in the newest and up to date information on software use when entering a firm. This felt counterintuitive, as I do not believe most students graduate understanding this perceived value. I originally internalized this as a sense of pressure from design firms to see what can be learned from younger designers, but really I think this was meant to be a source of empowerment and agency for newer designers when entering design practice.
Do students recognize the technical value they can bring into a firm?
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How can a firm be innovative and promote open source resource sharing without losing competitive value?
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But most importantly, I learned a lot about myself these last few months. As an young designer who interviewed 41 design professionals, I had no expectations for what I was going to produce or learn from this process. My line of questioning was originally fueled from a noticeable gap in academic literature on design process in professional practice. I used software use and application as a way to start a conversation with design firms. But really, my learning came from all the conversation between the questions; the self questioning and reflections by designers, the curiosity of what other firms are doing and how they are designing or how the shift to full virtual work the last two years has changed the design process and software use.
I was reminded of the enthusiasm and passion these individuals had for producing mindful and informed designs.
I was supported time and time again, often by complete strangers who willingly participated in these interview sessions.
I was also questioned, rather intensely, about my goals, motivations for this work and the questions I was asking. Many participated but were trying to understand the WHY. Why did this matter? Why did I want to focus on software use when there is so much more to design?
Even after completing this initial phase of work, I don't have all the answers. There is no standard design process. There is no standard software package. There is no standard Landscape Architect.
So why did I do it?
I was curious.
Acknowledgements
Major Professor:
Aidan Ackerman, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture
Committee:
Douglas Johnston, Landscape Architecture Department Chair
Tyler Dorholt, Director of the Writing, Rhetoric, and Communications Program
BIO
CONTACT
Have questions? Reach out!
Email: ashcrespo@gmail.com
My name is Ashley and I am a Master of Landscape Architecture student at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) in New York. I graduate in December 2021.
To see more of my work, please visit my portfolio website at ashleycrespo.com