What is landscape architecture?
Landscape architecture is the study and practice of designing environments (outdoors & indoors) of varying scale that encompasses elements of art, environment, architecture, engineering, and sociology.
Image Credit: Timothy Schenk
Landscape Architecture is a profession that is unknown or misunderstood as gardening by many. Its value to society is greater than many can imagine and should be celebrated by the population of every town, city, and country.
Image Credit: Adam Barbe
Image Credit: LandLAB & Monk McKenzie
Landscape architects are involved in the conceptual design of spaces that “creates and enables life between the buildings”. The involvement of landscape architects can be seen in streets, roads, shared paths, housing estates, apartment compounds, shopping malls, squares, plazas, gardens, pocket parks, playgrounds, cemeteries, memorials, museums, schools, universities, transport networks, regional parks, national parks, forests, waterways and across towns, cities and countries. Landscape architects often go beyond site design and also create masterplans, frameworks and policies for
Render Image Credit: Hassell
Many landscape architects from the past, current, (and future) have designed everlasting landscapes that will stand the test of time for decades to come that create calm, joy, and inspiration for so many. As a profession, landscape architects should be proud as few professions can stake claim to creating places that impact and benefit so many people. Places designed by landscape architects include Central Park, 9/11 Memorial and High Line in New York, Princess Diana Memorial fountain in London, West Bund in Shanghai, Centenary Park in Bangkok and many more places around the world.
Landscape Architects work in private companies, government, and non-profit organisations in various design and management roles. Working in a design firm involves design, project management, and client management, whereas working in government can involve design, developing strategies and guidelines, managing private design firms, and collaborating with other government personnel. Working in a non-profit can involve design, advocacy on behalf of communities, policy development, and influencing decision-makers.
The question of what is landscape architecture raises varying opinions on what it is and isn’t; the profession is so broad and encompassing that there is enough scope and breadth in the profession to accommodate varying views and remember that we have a wide range of expertise, skills and talents.
April is Landscape Architecture Month and WLA will be looking at What is landscape architecture? and publishing various profiles and articles.
Article Written by Damian Holmes, Founder and Editor of WLA.
He is also a registered Landscape Architect with extensive experience in Australia, Canada, and China. Email damian@worldlandscapearchitect.com
First published in 2017. Last Updated in April 2025.
