Landscape architects design the outdoor spaces between buildings and sometimes the interior planting within buildings. Although many people mistakenly think that landscape architects construct or maintain landscapes, they, in fact, design landscapes.
Landscape architects create designs that meet the requirements of their clients (homeowners, developers, communities, or governments) while considering the environmental, social, and economic needs of the client and community.
Landscape architects often work with other professionals, including architects, artists, horticulturalists, ecologists, engineers, lighting designers, contractors, etc. This collaboration can be interesting as it allows for exchanging ideas and knowledge and ensures the project’s success.
A typical day for a landscape architect involves going to an office and working with other people on projects such as parks, shopping malls (centres), apartment (condo) developments, residential gardens (residential and public), roof gardens, plazas, streets, museums, schools, universities, stadiums and similar projects. They may create the design for an area of the site or develop a master plan (a large design of all the spaces of the site).
During the project, they will also meet with clients who could be residents, the government, or other organisations. Depending on the project, they may also meet with the community and interest groups. They undertake these various meetings to understand their needs and expectations.
A landscape architect begins a design project with a site, undertakes an analysis, creates a concept, and then develops it through various stages until they work with a landscape (or construction) contractor to build the project. During these various stages, they will meet with the client and possibly the community and government to ensure they create a design that the client likes and approves of.
Landscape architects work on design projects and develop policies, strategies, and other documents that guide how places will be used, conserved, and designed. They also work in different organisations to advocate for various causes and interests (waterways, ecology, animals, etc.).
Many of the places outside your home would have been designed or influenced by the work of landscape architects. They shape places, communities, cities and landscapes to create better places and environments.
To learn more about landscape architecture go to our other articles What is landscape architecture? or How to become a landscape architect?
Article by Damian Holmes, Founder & Editor of World Landscape Architecture
Be the first to comment