Collective Intelligence

A recent research study conducted at CMU and MIT found that groups outperformed individuals in accomplishing tasks.  Dr. Anita Williams Woolley at CMU’s Tepper School of Business found that the Group IQ “was markedly different” than individual IQ.  She found three factors that resulted in higher performance by groups:

• “social sensitivity” – how much do group members pay attention to each other and ask questions
• Turn taking – if someone dominates the conversation, performance goes down
• More women in the group, the smarter it was

Dr. Woolley attributes this last factor to women tending to have higher social sensitivity skills, often did not dominate the conversation, and were willing to ask other members of the group if they had better expertise on the discussion topic.

For those of us that frequent study groups, committees and teams, several strategies can improve group performance.  They are:

• Make sure the right people are in the room (a good mix of communication skills and thinking styles)
• Enhance group communications by discussing at the beginning how everyone is going to share ideas (process is important)

The research into group dynamics found other interesting conclusions:

• When discussing racially sensitive issues, a racially diverse group will perform better
• Using a “voice meter” to time conversations in groups resulted in group members speaking for shorter time intervals and there was less talking over others in the group.

Dr. Woolley concluded that, “As the world becomes more complex and employees skills more specialized, more and more of our problems will have solutions that lie at the intersection of individuals with specialties, so they need to be able to collaborate.”

For further information, see the article by Mark Roth in the Post Gazette or contact Dr. Woolley at awoolley@cmu.edu.

Rain Garden Myths

When people first learn about the term “rain garden”, they often have pre-conceived notions about them.  For example, some people begin visualizing a big hole in the ground that fills up with water and can be dangerous for kids.  We would like to clear the air about the following myths:

Rain Gardens are More Maintenance

Rain gardens require no more maintenance than your typical planting bed.  In fact, many common plants that are used around your home can be used in rain gardens.  Using native plants will reduce the amount of maintenance compared to non-natives.  It all depends on the types of plants you specify.

Rain Gardens Create More Flooding

My neighbor asked me once about whether the rain garden I installed in my own backyard would create more flooding in his yard and basement.  I quickly reassured him that unless I secretly piped my overflow into his yard, he would not have any flooding because of my rain garden.  A good overflow plan is important for preventing extra water from going where you don’t want it to go.

Rain Gardens Harbor Mosquitoes

Rain gardens are designed to hold water for up to 48 hours, which is not long enough for mosquitoes to breed.

Rain Gardens are Detention Basins, Ponds, or Wetlands

Rain gardens are none of the above.  They are similar in that they help store stormwater runoff.  However, they are dry most of the time and are not as deep as detention basins.

Rain Gardens Create a Liability

We’ve run into clients that do not want rain gardens because they believe they are a liability.  “Some kid is going to fall in and drown in a few inches of water that may accumulate during a storm event”.  Well, we strongly believe the benefits far outweigh the risk.  In fact, numerous schools around the country have promoted and used rain gardens as educational tools.  Below are just a few examples of rain gardens planted in public spaces or on school properties:

Mount Tabor Middle School - Portland, Oregon (photo by Kevin Robert Perry)

Highpoint - Seattle, Washington (photo by Juan Hernandez Mithum)

Neuva School - Hillsborough, California (photo by Andrea Cochran)

NE Siskiyou Street - Portland, Oregon (photo by Kevin Robert Perry)

What are Rain Gardens?

Rain gardens are just like regular gardens, except that they are sunken several inches in order to allow stormwater runoff to soak into the ground instead of flowing into storm drains and ultimately into streams.  They provide numerous environmental benefits as well as solving water problems.  Runoff causes erosion, pollution, and flooding.  Rain gardens help to minimize these negative impacts as well as enhance the beauty of a property.  

Basic components of a rain garden include: a stormwater source such as a downspout; an energy dissipater such as a splash pad or river rock; special soil to store runoff water during a storm and is able drain within 24 hours; plants that are both drought and wet tolerant; and an overflow plan for when a larger storm may fill up beyond the rain garden’s capacity. 

Basic components of a rain garden.

Contact us if you have any questions about rain gardens and how we can help you design one.  Below, are before and after photos of the rain gardens we designed at Seven Springs.  As you can see, the water from the downspout helped create erosion problems on the hillside.  A dry riverbed was created to direct the runoff from the downspout into the gardens.

Before

The first rain garden is dug.  The second is marked in paint.

Filter fabric prevents weeds from growing through the rock.

The end result is a beautiful hillside planting that includes two rain gardens.

Office Landscape Architects Start LEED Exam Prep

Tomorrow, all of the Landscape Architects in our office will start the LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) Exam Prep course.  We strive to implement sustainable site design principles in all of our projects.  However, we feel it is important to know the LEED process better in order to help those clients willing to take that next step in acquiring LEED certification for their projects.  In addition, there is always room for improvement.  We hope to gain more knowledge of green design, construction, and operations.

Currently, Nancy in our office is already a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and has helped several projects gain LEED certification.  Good luck to everyone!

To find out more about LEED go to http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19.

Off-highway Vehicle Workshop Focuses on Sustainable Trails

Rock Run Recreation Area in Central PA

John Buerkle from our office recently attended a National Off-highway Vehicle Council Workshop.  Throughout the workshop, emphasis was placed on sustainable trail development techniques.  Sustainably designed trails minimize trail maintenance and negative impacts on the environment such as erosion and sedimentation of nearby streams.

Pashek Associates applies sustainable trail techniques to all aspects of trail planning and design for hiking, biking, rail trail, equestrian, and off-highway vehicle trails.

To talk with John about preparing a plan or designing sustainable trails, call him at 412-321-6362, extension 102, or email him at: jbuerkle@pashekla.com.

New Year's Resolutions!

At Pashek Associates, we welcome 2011 with anticipation and enthusiasm.  The following are our New Year’s Resolutions and aspirations:

1. That we are able to better communicate the importance of sustainable site design and planning.  The expertise we have developed on sustainable design and our LEED accreditation (thanks Nancy) allows us to better assist a growing number of clients that are environmentally conscience.
2. That everyone realizes they are temporarily able and must plan for future challenges that may require accessible routes and other accommodations (see the new regulations from the Justice Department – www.ada.gov).
3. That some of us in the office are able to lose weight.  Obesity is a public health concern and we need to find time to walk on our beautiful trails and in our great parks, many which were designed by Pashek Associates.
4. That we take time to get to know our neighbors better, because connections begin at the neighborhood level; here’s hoping that everyone at Pashek Associates volunteers for at least one organization in 2011 (thanks to Nancy, Jim, Mike, Sara, Bob and John).
5. That we make recycling a priority and conserve energy in any way possible, including car pooling and biking to work (thanks Mike).
6. That the Steelers do well in the playoffs and win the Super Bowl, the Penguins get to the Stanley Cup and win, and Joe Paterno retires.
7. That the economy continues to improve.
8. That planning truly engages the people being planned for.  Change does not usually happen without concerned citizens speaking out and someone listening.  At Pashek Associates, we are proud of our public processes that truly engage stakeholders.
9. That Ollie and Tuesday, our office dogs, get to try out one new dog park this year, designed by Pashek Associates.
10. That the firm continues to be a great place to work with fantastic colleagues.

Happy New Year!

Jim Pashek