Welcome
Welcome to the landscape meetinghouse update. This webpage is dedicated to all things landscape and we hope it will act as an informational tool to keep you up to date on the most current meetinghouse landscape guidelines, standards, issues, questions, and answers. If you would like to contribute a question or comment, please send correspondence to: LandscapeResources@home.churchofjesuschrist.org.
Up-coming Training
Throughout the year landscape training is offered to FM's, PM's, landscape architects and landscape contractors. 2012 dates are as follows (times are given respective of Mountain Time Zone):
| Date/Time | Webinar/Training | Recommended Attendees |
|---|---|---|
| 2/23/12 9:00 AM and 11 AM |
Learn how to setup and operate SMART controllers in meetinghouse landscapes. | FM's, RFM's, PM's, APM's |
| 5/8/12 9:00 AM and 11 AM |
Learn how to locate Site Adapt Guidelines and apply in project development. | FM's, RFM's, PM's, APM's |
| 9/4/12 9:00 AM and 11 AM |
Participants will learn about civil and landscape updates and have a chance to give feedback and share best practices. | FM's, RFM's, PM's, APM's |
| 12/5/12 9:00 AM and 11 AM |
Aided by local professionals the presentation will address current landscape considerations. | Primary - Contractors, Consultants Secondary - FM's, RFM's, PM's, APM's |
Recent Questions
Q: In church standard specification 32 9113 Soil Preparation you state:
1) Soil shall not contain more than two (2) percent by volume of rocks measuring over 3/32 inch (2 mm) in largest size.
This percentage is very restrictive for any gravel found in soil, but 3/32 inch (2 mm) is very restrictive of gravel and in of itself. Can we have a less restrive gravel requirement?A: Yes. In coordination with soil professionals this specification is changing to read as follows:
3) Soil:
a) Soil shall not contain more than five (5) percent by volume of rocks measuring over 1/4 inch (6 mm) in largest size.
b) Soil shall be topsoil in nature.
c) Soil resembling road base or other like materials are not acceptable.
Q: The Carson 1419-18 box is no longer available. What should take its place in the spec?
A: We are revising the automatic valve details to rely on the 1419-12 Carson box. Based upon the new detail there should be no need to use the 1419-18. Remember that tan and green boxes are limited in availability but are still required, so make sure the proper valve box is called out for the proper condition.
Q: The irrigation details show how moisture sensors should be installed, but do not address where. Can we require the LA to locate moisture sensors on their plans?
A: Yes. The landscape architect should work in concert with Acclima to determine the number of sensors required for a site and detail their location on the plans. It is important for the LA to note how far to place the sensor from the decoder.
Q: Where are the church plant lists found at?
A: They are being made available on the landscape resource page at:
https://aec.churchofjesuschrist.org/aec/landscape/
Q: If a local jurisdiction is requiring plants not found on the church standard eco-region plant lists, can I use them?
A: Definitely. The church lists should be closely followed in most situations, but when a governing agency has different planting requirements, meet the agency’s requirements to gain approval.
With all plant selection the following guidelines should be followed:
These (church) plant lists are guidelines for local landscape architects. All care and professionalism required of a landscape architect must be taken in the selection of plant material. It is the landscape architect’s responsibility to select plant material that is hardy for and appropriate to a site. Amongst other considerations, the landscape architect should select plant material based upon aesthetics, safety, maintainability, durability, hardiness, soil suitability, micro-climatic limitations and water conservation. Plant lists may be added to when proven to meet these criteria for respective eco-regions.
If you want to add a plant to the church plant lists, contact the church landscape architect and provide written justification for consideration.
Plan Development Thoughts
Plans, Details and Specifications
Historically, many consultants simply placed the standard plans, details and specifications in the project manual without editing the information. This of course happens less with standard planting and irrigation plans because every site is a little different— naturally requiring alteration of the plans. Standard Details and specifications are more frequently misused.
While all of these documents have been created to match church standards that are developed based on many years of experience, the Landscape Architect is still responsible for editing them. Within the documents are notes to assist consultants in the removal or selection of standard options, as well as principles that should be followed in the design. The consultant must also consider compliance with local codes and restrictions as well as specific site conditions that are not addressed in a set of standard documents.
For example, the most current prototypical plan sheet L100 is an informational page to help the landscape architect understand his or her duties. The plant legends shown are for example only and should not be copied verbatim. They give the consultant an example of the information the reviewer (through church headquarters or through a quality assessment) looks for at a conceptual level or at the final plan stage. The actual legend format and specified materials can be different.
As another example, prototypical plan sheet L102 shows various plant symbols around the building and throughout the site. The consultant should follow the general feel of the layout these symbols represent, matching the design guidelines as closely as possible, but the locations do not need to match precisely.
To avoid the misuse of these documents and to gain a better understanding of standard church landscape practices, the landscape architect should study the Design Guidelines located at: https://aec.churchofjesuschrist.org/aec/ towards the lower third of the page. These guidelines are updated on a regular basis.
