Landscape architecture holds a prominent place in history. The Renaissance period of the 16th and 17th centuries largely concerned itself with landscape architecture, such as that of the Medici villas. Many famous estates, such as Versailles, followed suit with their exquisitely designed gardens. Many metropolitan cities have continued this tradition with their parks and gardens, such as Hyde Park and Central Park.
In this modern day, landscape architecture embraces more than just architectural art. An architect’s imagination knows few bounds when it comes to intersecting land and buildings. Landscape architecture also now involves the construction of industrial areas such as landfills, dams, reservoirs, and mines. It likewise involves designing the entire infrastructure of a city, such as the design of a public transportation system, roads, bridges, and sidewalks. Many corporations hire landscape architects to create gardens and other green spaces adjacent to their buildings, as do college campuses. Furthermore, recreational activities such as golf and hiking demand specialized landscape architecture.
Landscape architects are also expected to know ecological or energy-efficient landscape architecture practices. This type of architecture is also called ecological design. Increasingly, these architects are appointed to design structures that have minimal impacts on land and the surrounding environment. These landscape architects research the surrounding habitat of the projected construction site and design the buildings to have as little influence on that habitat as possible. For instance, landscape architects may design a building’s toilet system to recycle human waste into fertilizer or compost for surrounding gardens. They may also design bio-ecological drain systems that have pollutant-removal mechanisms to provide clean water for the area.
In cities, landscape architects are increasingly called on to maximize the ecological soundness of skyscrapers and other buildings. For instance, they design roof gardens on top of buildings to act as reservoirs for precipitation, which minimizes runoff. These gardens also provide soothing “green” space, grow locally produced foods, and provide a haven for wildlife. The gardens also absorb excess carbon dioxide from the air, acting as an air filter for those inhabiting the building. Such gardens can also be grown on walls, which thus becoming “living walls” that further reduce pollution in the area of the building. Landscape architects may also use roofs and walls to install solar panels and photovoltaic cells, both of which make buildings more energy-efficient. Features such as storm drains also help make these buildings into truly autonomous structures, or structures that can operate independently from outside infrastructure, such as electric power lines. Many landscape architects produce autonomous buildings that diminish our reliance on non-renewable energy.
Naturally, it is the rare landscape architect who would have deep knowledge of all the numerous aspects of landscape architecture. There are architects who specialize in landscape engineering and those who specialize in urban design and energy-efficient construction. Whatever their disciplines, though, all landscape architects have studied mathematics, biology, architecture and design, geography, horticulture, technology, ecology, and even philosophy. Before they map out a construction site, they visit the site and take account of its topography, animal populations, weather patterns, drainage, and natural vegetation. They also take a sample of the soil and analyze its properties to determine the best construction materials. They may also research any state or federal legislation that may have granted protection or preservation status to the site. During these initial analyses, they often consult with civil engineers and scientists to gain professional insights into the site’s optimal construction and natural properties. Only after the site has been assessed from all angles do landscape architects begin to ponder the structure’s actual design.
In configuring a site, landscape architects use not only blueprints but written reports, photographs, models, and computer-generated graphics to show the design to their clients and reach an agreement on it. They also estimate the final construction costs for their clients and regulatory agencies before they hire contractors to build the site. After they hire contractors, landscape architects make frequent trips to the site to supervise each stage of its construction.
Landscape architects are hired by private individuals, commercial companies, and government agencies. About 20% of them are self-employed, with the remaining amount typically working for landscape architecture firms. All of them undergo lengthy training that often culminates in gaining licensure, as it is required by 49 states. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, most of them go through a master of landscape architecture graduate program, which takes about three years. Throughout each of these programs, landscape architects learn construction design, geology, ecology, conservation laws, plant sciences, surveying, the history of landscape architecture, and many other subjects required for their profession. They also spend extended amounts of time in design studios, where they not only learn model-making and blueprint-drawing, but computer-generated design programs.
In order to earn their licensure, landscape architects take the Landscape Architect Registration Examination. State requirements for taking the exam differ, but landscape architects are usually required to have a degree from an accredited landscape-architecture program plus one to four years of practical experience, especially with a licensed landscape architect. Many states offer more work-based requirements for architects who have not gained degrees.
Newly licensed landscape architects can expect to make about $55,000 per year. As they advance to senior-level positions, their salaries can increase to $90,000 and above. The job outlook for landscape architects is favorable due to the continuing rise in human population, more urban green spaces, more preservation sites, and the increasing popularity of energy-efficient construction. Finding an architect who specializes in landscaping will also become easier as more and more contenders vie for these jobs.
