Nature of the Work:
Landscape architects design these areas so that they are not only functional but beautiful and environmentally appropriate as well. They may plan the location of buildings, roads, and walkways and the arrangement of flowers, shrubs, and trees and other features of open space. They also may redesign streets to limit automobile traffic and to improve pedestrian access and safety. Natural resource conservation and historic preservation are other important objectives to which landscape architects may apply their knowledge of the environment as well as their design and artistic talents.
Landscape architects are hired by many types of organizations from real estate development firms starting new projects to municipalities constructing airports or parks. They are often involved with the development of a site from its conception. Working with architects and engineers, they help determine the best arrangement of roads and buildings. Once these decisions are made, landscape architects create detailed plans indicating new topography, vegetation, walkways, and landscape amenities.
In planning a site, landscape architects first consider the nature and purpose of the project and the funds available. They analyze the natural elements of the site, such as the climate, soil, slope of the land, drainage, and vegetation. They observe where sunlight falls on the site at different times of the day and examine the site from various angles. They assess the effect of existing buildings, roads, walkways, and utilities on the project
After studying and analyzing the site, they prepare a preliminary design. To account for the needs of the client as well as the conditions at the site, they may have to make many changes before a final design is approved. An increasing number of landscape architects are using computer-aided design systems to assist them in preparing their designs.
Throughout all phases of the design, landscape architects consult with other professionals involved in the project. Once the design is complete, they prepare a proposal for the client. They draw up detailed plans of the site which include written reports, sketches, models, photographs, land-use studies, and cost estimates. If the plans are approved, landscape architects prepare working drawings showing all existing and proposed features. They also outline in detail the methods of construction and draw up a list of necessary materials.
Although many landscape architects supervise the install one of their design, some are involved in the construction of the site. However, this usually is done by the developer or contractor.
Some landscape architects work on a wide variety of projects. Others specialize in a particular area, such as residential development, historic landscape restoration, waterfront improvement projects, parks and playgrounds, or shopping centers. Still others work in regional planning and resource management; feasibility, environmental impact, and cost studies; or site construction.
Relatively few landscape architects specialize in landscape design for individual homeowners because most residential landscape designs projects are too small to provide suitable income compared with larger commercial or multiunit residential projects. Some nurseries offer residential landscape design services, but these services often are performed by lesser qualified landscape designers or others with training and experience in related areas.
Landscape architects who work for government agencies do similar work at national parks, government buildings, and other government-owned facilities. In addition, they may prepare environmental impact statements and studies on environmental issues such as land-use planning.
Working Conditions:
Landscape architects spend much of their time in offices preparing drawings, models, and cost estimates and discussing projects with clients. Time in the office is balanced by time spent outdoors, studying and planning sites and supervising landscape projects.
Salaried employees in both government and landscape architectural firms usually work regular hours, although they may work overtime to meet a project deadline. Hours of self-employed landscape architects may vary.
Employment:
Landscape architects mostly held jobs in firms that provide landscape architecture services. Most of the rest were employed by architectural firms. The Federal Government also employs these workers; most were found in the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, and Interior. About 1 of every 10 landscape architects was self- employed.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement:
A bachelor's degree in landscape architecture, which takes 4 to 5 years, usually is the minimum educational requirement for entering the profession. Over the last few years, however, an increasing number have been entering the field with a master's degree.
Many colleges and universities offer undergraduate and graduate programs in landscape architecture that are accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects.
College courses in this field include technical subjects such as surveying, landscape design and construction, computer techniques, structural design, and city and regional planning. Other courses include history of landscape architecture, plant and soil science, geology, design and color theory, and general management In addition; most students at the undergraduate level take a year of prerequisite courses such as English, mathematics, and social science. Increasingly, students are participating in cooperative work/study programs that combine academic credit with practical work experience.
A majority of the States require landscape architects to be licensed. Licensing is based on the Uniform National Examination, and admission to the exam usually requires a degree from an accredited school plus 1 to 4 years of work experience. Over a 3-day period, examinees are tested on all aspects of landscape architecture.
In the Federal Government, candidates for entry positions should have a bachelor's or master's degree in landscape architecture. The Federal Government does not require its landscape architects to be licensed.
Persons planning a career in landscape architecture should appreciate nature, be creative, and have artistic talent. They should take high school courses in mechanical or geometric drawing, art, botany, and mathematics. Good written and oral communication skills are important, because these workers must be able to convey their ideas to other professionals and their clients and make presentations before large groups. Those interested in starting their own firm should be skilled in small business management.
New graduates usually begin by preparing project drawings and doing other simple drafting work. After gaining experience, they help prepare specifications and construction details and handle other aspects of project design. After 2 or 3 years, they usually can carry a design through all stages of development. After several years, they may become associates, and eventually they may become partners or open their own offices.
Job Outlook:
Employment of landscape architects is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations throughout the year. Despite this growth, most job openings are expected to result from the need to replace experienced landscape architects who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.
The level of new construction plays an important role in determining demand for landscape architects. Anticipated growth in construction is expected to increase demand for landscape architectural services over the long run. Employment should increase faster than construction activity because an increasing proportion of office and other commercial and industrial development will occur outside dues. These projects typically have a large area of surrounding land which needs to be designed, in contrast to urban development, which often includes little or no surrounding land. Also, as the cost of land increases, the desirability of good landscape design increases. Increased concern for the environment also should stimulate employment growth because of the need to design development projects which best fit in with the surrounding environment
Other factors expected to contribute to the growth of demand for landscape architects are the need to refurbish existing sites and increased city and environmental planning and historic preservation.
Although landscape architects are increasingly using computer aided design, employment is not expected to be affected because this technology will be used to create more and better designs rather than reduce the demand for landscape architects.
Related Occupations:
Landscape architects use their knowledge of design theory and land-use planning to develop a landscape project. Others whose work requires similar skills are architects, interior and industrial designers, civil engineers, and urban and regional planners. Landscape architects also know how to grow and use plants in the landscape; others who study plants are botanists, who study plants in general, and horticulturists, who study ornamental plants as well as fruit, vegetable, greenhouse, and nursery crops.
