garden revival?

**j* e* m* s* <h*@sbcglobal.net>**

The landscape architects say the garden will be revived in 2008

Landscape Architects Identify Outdoor Design Trends For 2008
Demand up for great rooms and energy efficient landscapes

Washington, DC, January 3, 2008 -No longer 
content with just the outdoor kitchen, homeowners 
will add entire great rooms outdoors this year 
according to a survey of leading members of the 
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). 
On the commercial side, clients will focus on low 
maintenance landscapes, stormwater runoff, and 
earning LEED® certification.

Conducted in December, the informal poll asked 
leading landscape architects about the top 
residential and commercial trends for 2008. On 
the residential side, outdoor kitchens and fire 
pits continue to be popular requests. However, 
more and more homeowners are asking for outdoor 
"great rooms" incorporating the living room, 
dining room, and kitchen for family gatherings 
and outdoor entertaining.

"Homeowners are reconnecting with their outdoor 
space, often in creative and imaginative ways," 
said Perry Howard, FASLA, President of ASLA. 
"It's no surprise that people want to take 
elements that work so well inside their home and 
recreate them outside."

Additionally, landscape architects anticipate a 
revival of the garden. Lawn maintenance 
costs-especially irrigation-will lead homeowners 
to consider water-saving features and less of the 
traditional grass lawn. Instead, gardens will 
increase in prominence while incorporating more 
native and drought-resistant plants. These same 
features can also make a home's landscape 
significantly more sustainable.

Cost mitigation will be a major consideration 
among commercial clients this year as well. 
Low-maintenance landscapes that utilize native 
and drought-resistant plants and other techniques 
to lower irrigation costs will increase in 2008. 
Building owners will also use more porous paving 
and bioswales to manage stormwater runoff. All of 
these elements fit into another trend for 2008: 
more commercial clients obtaining certifications 
from green rating systems, such as the U. S. 
Green Building Council's LEED® metrics.

"More and more landscape architects see a demand 
for incorporating and quantifying sustainable 
design-especially on the commercial side," Perry 
added. "This is one reason we are creating the 
Sustainable Sites Initiative, which will give 
clients and designers the tools and best 
practices for designing energy efficient, 
environmentally friendly landscapes." Sustainable 
Sites is a partnership between ASLA, the Lady 
Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the U.S. 
Botanic Garden to create a green rating system 
for sustainable landscape design in all types of 
projects.

In addition to sustainable design, commercial 
clients will incorporate more gardens, walking 
paths, or other methods for people to relax and 
enjoy the outdoor environment. More of these 
spaces will utilize the existing natural features 
and vegetation as well.

About ASLA
Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national 
professional association for landscape 
architects, representing more than 18,200 members 
in 48 professional chapters and 68 student 
chapters. Landscape architecture is a 
comprehensive discipline of land analysis, 
planning, design, management, preservation, and 
rehabilitation. ASLA promotes the landscape 
architecture profession and advances the practice 
through advocacy, education, communication, and 
fellowship. Members of the Society use their 
"ASLA" suffix after their names to denote 
membership and their commitment to the highest 
ethical standards of the profession. Learn more 
about landscape architecture online at 
www.asla.org.

jems
-- 
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Garden writer, speaker, author, photographer
Region III Director Garden Writers Association
Phone: (317) 251.3261
Fax: (317) 251.8545
E-mail: hoosiergardener@sbcglobal.net
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