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Discover the space between buildings as a landscape architect.
Landscape architecture comprises the tasks of creating blueprints, designing, supervising, and caring for both human-made and natural spaces and surroundings.
Photo by Robert Bye on UnsplashAs a landscape architect, you'll not just discover those spaces and surroundings, but imagine and bring them to life!
Did you know?
Central Park in New York City was designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in the 1850s and is over 800 acres! Its designers are also credited as being the founders of the profession in the United States.
Who are Landscape Architects?
Landscape architects are licensed and regulated professionals like architects, engineers, lawyers, or doctors. This means legally, you can't call yourself a landscape architect unless you have met specific requirements and obtained your license.
The Road to Licensure
The Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Board (CLARB) is the governing body for the landscape architecture profession in both the United States and Canada. To become a licensed landscape architect, you need to:
complete a landscape architecture program (undergraduate or graduate program)
complete local requirements based on where you will be licensed.
take the licensure exam (LARE)
Photo by Jesse Bowser on UnsplashDid you know?
The big difference between a landscape architect's projects and other landscape projects is the scale of a project. Projects that have major earthworks movement, affect water drainage and require engineering for features like retaining walls, and other elements are in the domain of a landscape architect. If you want something simpler, like a new garden with a crushed stone walkway on your private property, you probably won't need a landscape architect.
A Landscape Architect's Hats
Landscape architects arepart artist, part engineer, part planner, part environmentalist, part historian, part...the list goes on and on.
They use a blend of creative, functional, and practical skills along with the knowledge that fuels those skills. As a landscape architect, you'll need to:
design 3-dimensional spaces across time (i.e. daily, weekly, and seasonal use patterns and changes)
communicate (e.g. visual, written, oral) with clients, community members, government agencies, engineers, and other professionals
solve problems during the design process and with the design itself (i.e. in a neighborhood that has severe stormwater issues the new park may include significant stormwater management design features)
manage projects from conception through completion
You'll also need to understand the basics. College curriculums vary but include the following topics (or similar topics):
geology and soils
hydrology
climate and microclimate
botany and horticulture
social sciences
architecture and landscape architecture history
human behavior (specifically in interaction with outdoor spaces)
public planning and zoning policies and laws
environmental policies and laws
Photo by Did you know?
Since the L.A.R.E. (the 4-part landscape architecture licensing exam) provides a standard for all landscape architects, having multiple licenses is common and requires little additional effort. However, some states or provinces may have additional exams to become licensed. These exams, or jurisdictional exams, cover specific information about practicing within that particular jurisdiction. For example, California's jurisdictional exam includes topics on energy and water conservation.
From the Drawing Board to the Boardwalk
As a landscape architect, you'll work on more than one project at a time. Projects are often in different phases and each phase of a project has different tasks. Phases can overlap and move forward or backward.
Phase 1 — Conceptual Research
You'll:
work with clients, the public, and others
visit the site
research and review existing documents related to the project
generate multiple ideas to propose to the client
gain support for public projects
Phase 2 — Design
This is typically the longest phase involving a landscape architect's direct attention.
You'll work and rework the design with client oversight by:
creating a basic layout for the site based on client needs
consider building placement, water drainage, plants, and human elements like pedestrian and car traffic
create design details on how each design element is built or installed
Phase 3 — Approval & Revisions
Besides getting approval from your client, you may also need local, regional, or state/province approvals. Further, you may need to make revisions to the design during this phase to reach final approval. Your role will be to lead the client through the approvals process and make any revisions necessary to the design.
Phase 4 — Construction
With approvals and permits in place, construction of the design begins. You may need to visit the site to make sure all goes to plan.
Did you know?
Public landscape architecture projects can last decades from the conception of a project, like a public park or plaza, to the final construction of the project. These projects will often include many rounds of input, design, and feedback from the communities they are in, plus they require public funding and grants to be secured.
From Backyards to Backwoods
Landscape architecture projects vary as widely as the hats you could wear but are within a few main, and potentially overlapping, areas:
urban design and planning
parks and recreation design
residential design
commercial and institutional design
ecological restoration and conservation
Meet Some Landscape Architects
Frankie's current project is in restoring historical gardens and landscapes in the regional park system they work for. The landscapes have been neglected for decades, although they're in constant use by the public. Frankie is researching the original gardens, planning restoration efforts, and leading teams to restore them. The next restoration project is a large wilderness area with trails.
Edith is currently completing the oversight of the construction of a ten-year-long project at their private firm. The small pocket park in a community was formerly a department store that was torn down due to neglect. Edith and their team created the design from community workshop feedback, then submitted the design for grants. It's part of a larger neighborhood redevelopment plan they're working on with the city.
Sam's current project is just getting started. She met with the clients at their home, took pictures, and gathered measurements. They're looking for an Asian-inspired landscape to reflect their heritage. Sam is imagining water features, arches, a stone garden, and lots of plants. She has a few other residential projects in the design and construction phases.
Armin is juggling two big projects for the same client. One, a mixed-use development project, is close to getting local planning board approvals, and the other, a corporate campus, is still in the design phase. He's also overseeing smaller commercial projects for other clients.
Quiz
Which landscape architect(s) needs extensive horticulture and garden history knowledge? Select all that apply:
Frankie and Sam both need horticulture (plant) knowledge and garden history knowledge in their roles.
The World of Landscape Architecture
To understand what a landscape architect does,check out some of these projects:
Sherbourne Common Park in Toronto, Ontario is an urban waterfront park with water treatment. Photo by Stephen Allen.
Gas Works Park in Seattle, Washington is a formerly polluted gas plant converted to picnic areas and public space. Photo by Anthony Believer.
How Much do Landscape Architects Make?
Someone just starting in the field of landscape architecture, who is not yet a licensed landscape architect can make around $50,000 per year.
Licensed landscape architects will have a higher base salary. There are additional points in a landscape architect's career path, typically ending as a partner landscape architect within a professional firm.
Did you know?
The above image is of the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. It is considered to be in the top 10 most influential landscape architecture projects of the last decade. It was designed by Grant Associates with sustainability in mind, and spreads across 54 hectares.
Should I Be a Landscape Architect?
You'll love being a landscape architect if:
you're patient with clients and others
have the perseverance to see long projects through to completion
have vast core design skills
love engaging in continuous learning within the field of landscape architecture
you're comfortable with public speaking and sharing creative ideas
Reconsider being a landscape architect if you don't like:
creative problem solving
long projects with multiple considerations
public speaking
working with difficult or opposing personalities
working with people in general
Did you know?
Having a landscape architecture degree doesn't mean you have to become a landscape architect. The degree can lead to other professions and careers other than a licensed landscape architect: landscape designers, planners, civil engineers, landscapers, architects, interior designers, gardeners, garden nursery owners, and other direct and indirect careers can benefit from a landscape architecture degree.
Take Action
Are you ready to become a landscape architect?
This Byte has been authored by
Sara Hill
Learning Designer | Sustainability Advocate
BLA