6 Skills You Need as a Landscape Architect.

6 Skills You Need As A Landscape Architect

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If you have a love of gardening, an interest in plants, or just love to be in the outdoors, certain skill sets may benefit you if you go into the field of landscape architecture. But what skills do you need to have a successful career?

6 Skills You Need as a Landscape Architect

  1. A landscaping architecture degree and a license.
  2. Understanding of botany, plants, and flowers. 
  3. Basic algebra, geometry, and general math skills.
  4. Experience with technology like computer-aided design and drafting or building information modeling software. 
  5. Other basic skills such as proper communication and working with individuals. 
  6. Creativity.

What do you need to know to make beautiful park landscapes in large cities, or even create your oasis in your backyard? Read on to find out more about the profession of landscape architect and what skills you might need to be successful in the field.

What is a landscape architect?

6 Skills You Need as a Landscape Architect.

Before you even consider this pathway, it’s important to understand exactly what landscape architects do. Most of their work is comprised of creating graphics that represent their landscaping plans—most projects include designing parks, outdoor spaces, recreational activity spaces, businesses, private homes, and all other potential open spaces. 

In most cases, they will be meeting with clients and other engineers, along with building architects, to get the scope of the project. They will prepare site plans, along with specifications for the project and potential cost estimates. Coordinating must be done between project managers and all other structures in the area. 

When designing their project, they will have to know how to create graphic representations of their plans, typically using an architectural program on their computer or even computer-aided design and drafting software. Landscape architects must also understand the best use of landscaping materials, along with knowing how to look over environmental reports. They must also know how to make sure a project stays on task and work with other people to gain more jobs through networking and marketing. 

A landscaping architecture degree and a license

When it comes to becoming a landscape architect, a bachelor’s degree is required. A specific degree in landscape architecture is what you would need to receive; you are also required to register yourself as a landscape architect with the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). This organization will administer the licenses you need, along with making sure that you stay in compliance. 

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Understanding of botany, plants, and flowers

In addition to some sort of degree or experience, you must understand botany—or the scientific study of plants that involves looking at the physiology, structure, genetics, and ecology of that plant, along with its importance to the environment. What does this mean for you? It means you understand plants and what they do—not just what they provide for a landscaping project, but any potential allergies, whether they can be poisonous to animals within the area of your project, and even what colors the flowers will bloom into. 

Plants come in all sorts, and knowing what is best will also mean you have to have a good understanding of what plants thrive in which climates. That, and you need to know how much water and sunlight each plant requires—putting a full-sun plant in a full-shade area will just make it wither and die. You should also know what pests plague what plants and what time of year they grow the best. 

Basic algebra, geometry, and general math skills

6 Skills You Need as a Landscape Architect.

No matter what you’re doing in the landscaping career, at some point, you will have to do some math. The benefit to this is that most of it will be practical—if you have a hard time doing theoretical problems, being able to understand and see the problem in front of you may help you develop this skill. 

In some cases, you may have to determine the size of a particular space, and then estimate the amount of materials you may need for the project. If you’ve started your own business, you will also have to know how to estimate costs and labor to either give an estimate on a price or bid on a certain job. 

When it comes to using geometry, it is also a more practical matter—for example, you may create a scale model of your project. To create a scale, you need to have the ability to shrink your design down to a scaled size. 

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Experience with technology like computer-aided design and drafting or building information modeling software

There are all sorts of technologies you should have experience in if you are considering going into the profession of landscape architect. A basic understanding of technology like working with computers and spreadsheets is imperative to your job, but there are also other more specific programs you should be considering. 

One example of technology that you could use as a landscape architect is called building information modeling programs. This type of program will allow you as the landscape architect to map out your job on a computer program and easily visualize the project, along with checking out different options before you even create a scale model. Programs such as Revit can help you estimate the cost of the same project, so you can streamline your preparation process with the use of some modern technology. 

Computer-aided design and drafting programs are also important to know how to use, not unlike the building information modeling program. Both of these programs can allow you to show the buildings and other construction around your project site, but they also will allow you to add plants and other features to show your clients ahead of time. 

While these programs can be taught through when seeking a degree in landscape architecture, you can also research these programs online and learn how to use them yourself. 

Other basic skills such as proper communication and working with individuals

While many consider them soft skills, working with others and being able to properly communicate are skills you need when working as a landscape architect. It doesn’t matter what part of the process you’re working on, you will be working with either employees or even the owner of the land you’re landscaping, and to do that, you must be able to communicate. 

Whether it’s working with employees or other workers on the job, you need to be able to work with others. If you’re running your own business, you also have to be able to manage and communicate with them, as well. 

Creativity

6 Skills You Need as a Landscape Architect.

At the end of the day, your job is dependent on your ability to design and visualize a project, along with being able to create a beautiful piece of outdoor space, whether you’re drawing, creating a physical model, or making one on a computer program. You will need the ability to visualize what you’re doing and what you plan to do, along with enough artistic ability to make it be seen by others you’re working with. 

There are certain skills that you need to become a landscape architect, including a degree and licensure. Not only that, but you need to understand plants and the environment before you start working with them. There are a few other less tangible skills you might need, including being flexible, a good listener, and an analytical thinker. Experience in the landscaping field is also something that may help—if you’re just starting and want to see if you like the job, start as a landscaper working on home projects. If you decide that the job is right for you, you can move on to receiving a higher degree and pursue the track of landscape architect. To be successful, you must also be passionate about the job. Without passion, none of these skills matter—make sure you’re doing something you love, and the rest will follow.  

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a landscape architect make?

The median pay for a landscape architect is $32.67 per hour and $67,950 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The District of Columbia has the highest average salary of $100,000, while the lowest is in Louisiana at $49,000. 

What is the difference between a landscaper and a landscape architect?

A landscape architect has an advanced college degree, while a landscaper can do their work with a high school diploma. In most cases, landscapers work with private homeowners on personal property, while a landscape architect works on larger projects. Landscapers tend to be self-employed, while landscape architects are more often part of a larger firm. 

What kind of tool will you need as a landscape architect?

For many, you will need a computer program such as a building information modeling program or a computer-aided design and drafting program. General office supplies are also necessary, along with a digital camera and tape measures when you are on site. A sketchbook and writing utensils are imperative while on the job site as well. 

To learn more on how you can start your own landscaping business, check out my startup documents here.

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