What is a landscape architect?

A landscape architect is someone who practices landscape architecture, a field which involves integrating natural environments and man-made projects. Depending on the nation, education and licensing requirements for a landscape architect vary, and most people prefer to work with landscape architects who have completed internships with experienced professionals in the field. A landscape architect is not a landscaper or gardener; this field is extremely complex and it requires a wide skill set. On a new project, a landscape architect works with a team to determine where buildings should be located, how roadways and paths should be laid out, and how lines for drainage and utilities should be laid. The landscape architect also thinks about the shaping of the land, and what sort of plants and other features to add to the project. Ideally, a landscape architect contributes to the project in a way which seamlessly integrates the finished project with the surrounding landscape. These ...  more

Residential areas. Parks. Playgrounds. Colleges. Shopping centers. Golf courses. Industrial parks. What do these places have in common? They all look better with good landscaping. Landscape architects design outdoor areas that are useful, but beautiful. They design landscapes that are in harmony with nature. They decide where to put flowers, shrubs, trees, walkways, and other landscape details. They work with architects, surveyors, and engineers, to find the best place to put roads and buildings. They work with environmental scientists to find the best way to conserve or restore natural resources. Real estate developers, local governments, and many other kinds of organizations employ landscape architects. Landscape architects must first consider the purpose of a project. They analyze the natural elements of the site. These include the climate, soil, slope of the land, drainage, and vegetation. They observe where sunlight falls at different times. They look at existing buildings, ...  more