Many people can picture what an architect is responsible for accomplishing. The results are evident in the appearance of a new building or other physical structure. Looking out our window or driving down the road, we all experience landscapes or the natural world around us.
Landscape architecture involves the altering of the outside world. Design work, impact analysis, and implementation of creative plans to modify the environment to aesthetically balance the human world, animal needs, and plant life.
Many elements are woven together in the world of landscaping. Consideration of physical structures, accessways, and nature to find a mutually beneficial relationship is part of the process. Continuing reading for information on what is involved in landscape architecture.
Landscape Design or Landscape Architecture
Two phrases are often used interchangeably but differ in several significant ways. A successful designer and an architect will both work diligently to meet the needs and requests of their customers. Both need to be well-versed in their knowledge of flowers, trees, and shrubbery. As professionals a designer and architect both must be able to create designs, develop plans, and communicate clearly.
Landscape Designers
Clients for landscape designers are usually seeking small-scale projects, and most of the work is also residential. Usually, homeowners are seeking to improve the beauty of their backyards. Sometimes the work will coincide with the installation of a pool, patio, or other decking. The homeowners might be looking for plantings that will complement the other projects that were completed in their yards.
To meet the client’s needs, a landscape designer will often need to research and obtain information about plants that will meet the customer’s requests. Ideas are then presented to the client, frequently with drawings, so the homeowner can visualize the project. Discussing options for different plantings to meet the financial or aesthetic preferences of the clients is prepared by the designer. Concerns such as water usage, maintenance needs, and environmental benefits of the plants and design should be shared with the clients.
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Landscape Architects
Landscape architects will follow some of the same steps as landscape designers, but the projects are often on a much larger scale. Designs for entire subdivisions, public parks, commercial spaces, hotels and resorts, schools, and other needs are within the scope of work by a landscape architect.
Since the jobs are large in scope, they involve multiple considerations in addition to plantings. Some of the design work will include the impact of the plantings on the property. Attention to greenery, traffic flow – human and vehicular, soil composition and drainage, effect on the environment, and other concerns.
A blend of the artistic beauty of plant life with design functionality must be woven together for a successful project. Plan proposals must consider the topography of the site, potential environmental concerns, and methods to remediate, and adherence to local regulations. To accomplish and address all the elements of the design, landscape architects will often work with other disciplines.
Landscape Architect’s Background
There is formal education required to be a landscape architect. All states require a degree from an accredited school to work as a landscape architect. Many colleges and universities offer programs in this field. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement to be a landscape architect, which can be earned as a Bachelor of Art or Science. Many of the programs offer internships, so you can get experience while taking classes. Master’s degree programs are available for those who choose more schooling, and you can earn an MLA.
Many states also require licenses for you to practice as a landscape architect; some states expect ongoing training as well. The American Society of Landscape Architects, ASLA, provides a means to obtain and renew your license.
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Elements of Landscape Architecture
There are many steps before the landscape has been transformed. All projects must consider safety throughout the project and as part of the design. As someone who is and can be an important steward of the land, your projects can enhance our natural environment. Plans that provide for healthier lifestyles for people, animals, and the environment should be thought through in your projects. Remediation of negative impacts of previous designs and land usage should also be a guiding tenet of your work. Weaving these together will result in more equitable access to outdoor spaces.
Your design work, impact analysis, and plan implementation are cornerstones of your work as a landscape architect.
Design Work
Sometimes you will complete your design work after being hired by a client; other times your design work is your proposal. If you are submitting a proposal, other firms or individuals have also put together a plan.
Your design proposal must include and address all the details that a client has requested. If you have any questions about what the client is asking of you, be sure to obtain clarification. You do not want to incorrectly guess a component of the project. The potential client will be expecting a design that addresses their requests, and often, many will look to you for innovative solutions.
When developing your design, be sure to think through all aspects of the job. The location of the work will determine many other steps that you can and cannot take. Excavation work, soil analysis, and drainage information will be key components to build your design. Connecting this space to other spaces is another factor to be considered.
Cost should be reviewed when selecting suggested materials for the space. Offering a range of options might be of value to your client. Biodiversity and natural plantings should be other aspects of your design work.
Knowledge of local regulations is another component of your work. If there are wetlands, what and where you plant, or place walkways will be influenced by those spaces. Any areas of cultural sensitivity should be reviewed and planned for. The history of the site and previous uses might offer alternatives for you to think through.
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Impact Analysis
After you have completed your proposed design, a thorough analysis of its impact should be completed. You will have considered many of these elements as part of your design, but a comprehensive review will benefit your design and appeal to your client. Minimizing any negative impacts and maximizing positive changes to the area should be reviewed and highlighted. Areas to review include –
- Water – runoff, infiltration, harvesting rainfalls, stormwater management
- Surface Materials – impervious
- Erosion – plants to control
- Plants – filters for waterways, pollinators
- Lighting – solar or other energy-efficient options
- Trees – shading, climate regulating, heat mitigation
- Rain gardens
- Greenways – connecting to other spaces
- Materials – recycled or reused
- Heritage – protect historic and cultural lands
- Habitat Restoration – rebuilding lost areas for plant or animal species
- Future growth – traffic patterns
Ideas and regulations will continue to evolve. Staying current on the most sustainable ways to develop landscapes as an architect is important.
Plan Implementation
You have completed your design with input from your client and others. A complete review of the plan has been accomplished. Now, it is time to work on implementing the plan.
From your detailed design, you need to create a list of all the materials that are required. The specifications for plants and other materials should have been detailed throughout the process. Depending upon how your workplace operates that will determine who does the ordering. Regardless of who processes the requests for the goods needed, as a landscape architect, you need to be aware of timelines and arrival dates.
The implementation must be planned. The sequence of each step depends on the job that needs to be completed. Site preparation will be one of the first steps. Readying the land for its transformation will require the removal of what is currently on the site. Then any drainage systems and grading of the soil need to occur.
Large trees might be planted next. Then your walkways, playscapes, or other items need to be installed. Other plantings should be sown after that. These steps will certainly vary by the job, the land, and material availability.
Part of the design and implementation plan should address ongoing maintenance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are greenscapes?
Greenscapes are areas of land that mainly contain vegetation. This plant life can be a mix of grasses, bushes, and other plantings with foliage. Ideally, greenscapes will be created using plantings that are native to the area and best suited to grow in that region.
What are hardscapes?
Hardscapes are the parts of a landscape that are made by humans or solid movable pieces of landscape. Usually included under the category of hardscapes are patios, gravel, fences, pathways, etc.
What are softscapes?
Softscapes are the living components of your landscape. Some definitions will include trees since they are living; others will not because the trunk of a tree is hard. Most will include all plant life that grows.
What are waterscapes?
Waterscapes are features of landscapes that have water as their main focal point. These can be human-made or naturally occurring components of landscapes.
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Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Landscape Business Fan.
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a landscape business owner at a job site, driving down the road or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Landscaping Business Boss: I want to help landscape business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.