Friday, September 23, 2011

LARE Section C Reading List and Study Guide

What is Section C of the L.A.R.E?
Section C of the LARE tests your ability to design a site that takes a variety of on-site and off-site factors into account.  You need to really study the design guidelines and zoning packet included with the test preparation materials provided by CLARB.  These design guidelines will definitely influence your design solution.  Circulation of vehicles, people, and sometimes horses is an important part of this graphic vignette section.  Also, your design solution will be evaluated on how it addresses sustainability when addressing on and off-site forces.

Suggested Study Material for Section C
CLARB recommends using three standard landscape architecture reference books to prepare for section C of the LARE.  You might already have one or more of these reference books, but all of them are good additions for your professional library.

Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards edited by Leonard Hopper
Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards is the standard reference book for landscape architects. It provides easy access to landscape architecture rules-of-thumb and design and construction standards used in the design, planning, construction and management of built landscapes. The information covered in this handy reference book covers a wide variety of topics from site analysis (important for the LARE) to unusual design problems, like zoo exhibits.  Buy it for the enormous assortment of highly detailed construction drawings and site elements. There is a student version that contains less information at a reduced price. Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards is an expensive book but you will refer back to it throughout your career.


Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architects, 2nd Edition by Harris & Dines
This book is another fabulous reference for landscape architects.  Time-Saving Standards for Landscape Architects has a fairly complete section on site design and construction standards.  Important topics for the LARE Section C are storm water best management standards, urban tree planting details, sustainable planting ideas and concepts, energy and natural resource conservation, and site construction procedures.  There are over 50 sections of topics and information.  The book is kind of expensive, but it is still an essential professional reference book.


The Dimensions of Parking published by ULI 
This handy and authoritative guide published by the Urban Lands Institute is a wealth of knowledge on all aspects of parking.  Study the design guidelines for developing parking lots and parking spaces to prepare for Section C of the LARE.  Also, know how to design parking lots that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  This book has some good standards for complying with the ADA. You will probably find that this book has more information about parking than you every really wanted to know.  

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